Bulb monitor problem?

[juppy]

Hi,
This is my first post, i hope someone has the answer for this. I've a 55 plate 1.9TDi 105BHP se plus, with auto lights, wipers etc. Sat night the bulb failure light came on, and it seemed to be the driver side dip filament that had blown, main was alright. I thought OK, I will get a bulb on Sat and replace it. However on Sat morning when i tried the lights all the headlights worked. However as we were coming home from a trip out yesterday the failure light once again came on and again no dip on the drivers side.
My question is it something as simple as a lose connection, or are there faults with the electrics that monitor the bulbs. Any pointers in the right direction would be greatfully received.

Garth

[towcestervag]

the fault code needs to be cancelled on this car for the lights to work properly

[juppy]

the fault code needs to be cancelled on this car for the lights to work properly
So any VW garage or Independent VW specialist should be able to do it? Is it a common fault?

[juppy]

Well, I am a bit wiser now, I have spent the day sorting out the problem. What seems to have happened is the contacts in the little black plastic receptical that is screwed to the back of the headlight that takes the bulb holder has overheated on one side, melted and the metal part does not make good contact with the contact on the holder. A bit of cleaning up and bending and it now works, HOWEVER the other strange thing is that there is no voltage on the harness plug where it goes into the drivers side headlamp unit. I have effected a repair by connecting the drivers side dip to the passengers side, so at least both sides now come on, the bulb monitor light has gone off and i have not spent loads at a VW garage as i fear they would want to put a new part of the loom in? I do think i will have to get another drivers side headlamp unit though as I don't know how long the repair will last.

[thorne]

Had a similar problem with the bulb holder melting. Temporary fix worked OK until it failed the MOT, the bulb was sitting at the wrong angle in the lamp. Fortunately I had a spare h/lamp from ebay - £15 (bargain).