Passat estate electrical gremlins

[Poppy dog]

Hi, I am new to this forum and this is my first post. I have a 60 plate passat estate that until recently has never missed a beat!
Recently though I am experiencing some strange electrical gremlins.

Sometimes the internal heater fan won't work ? The air con is working but the fan blower will not. This is where it gets weird, when this happens the front windscreen washer also refuses to work. Wipers are ok though? Also the rear screen wiper and washer refuses to work?

I can switch off everything, lock the car and leave it for an hour (although it does not appear to be time dependant) and then try it again and .... Everything works fine??

However this fault can't be repeated every time. It appears to be spurious when it occurs and does not always reset every time as stated above.

Because of the sporadic nature of the fault I would guess putting my car into the local dealer will cost ££££

So, is there any advice you can offer me in the first instance etc.

many thanks in advance for any help offered.

[martin1810]

It sounds like a poor fuse connection in the fuse box. Possibly sb29 in engine bay fuse box. Try pulling fuse and cleaning it.

[Poppy dog]

Hi Martin,

i actually found my way my way to your web site from the forum last night and found out information about fuse SB29. I have taken it out, tested it and confirmed I have 12v supplying it. As said above your site then directed me to check the X contact relay KL75 (460) located under the drivers side dash panel. I located the said relay and removed and reinstalled it in the housing. Switched on the car and hey presto everything working ok again.

So...... either the relay had worked itself loose and reinstalling has resolved the issue OR the relay is on it's way out and will fail again soon ?

Thoughts ???

Anyway, at least I know what the issue was so if it does reoccur at least I know where to look and if need be replace the relay with a new one from VW.

Thank you for your response to my question and more importantly for the info you have collated on your web site - Excellent help.

Cheers,

[martin1810]

An occasional fault has been burnt or cracked tracks near the relay. Bumps etc cause the tracks to move and break the circuit. With luck it was just a dirty connection but the relay could be developing a fault. Time will tell.