Blinking red LED on lights switch

**vsheremeti** · 07-02-2012,01:12 PM

Last night as I was approaching my car I noticed a small red led blinking on my car's light switch. The blinking was not periodical (irregular) and continued that way even after unlocking the doors. When I started the car it stopped.

I am attaching a picture to visualize about which led I'm talking.

I tried looking on car's manual but no info on this indicator there. When looking on Google someone replied that it happened to him too on a very cold weather.

Though it is very cold these days (-10 C) I doubt that small light has anything to do with temperature.

Cad model: Audi B7 2005 TDI 2.0 140 Avant

Any idea?

**Akshay** · 07-02-2012,02:01 PM

That is strange! Does it blink together with the alarm armed LED in the door if you have one?

**El Guapo** · 07-02-2012,02:13 PM

It should be on when the lights are on. Mine went completely and I got Audi to replace it as you have to replace the whole unit and not just a bulb. What a surprise.

**gblades** · 07-02-2012,02:56 PM

The light is faulty. Mine started doing it aswell and would flash for a few moments and then come on irregularly over the next 10 seconds or so and then stay off.

**vsheremeti** · 07-02-2012,03:51 PM

I definetly think it is not related to alarm led. It blinks indipendently from door alarm led.
I was confused as it was blinking when door was locked and alarm enabled. Do you think the LED is on at all times no matter if car is on or off & door locked with alarm on?

**El Guapo** · 07-02-2012,07:08 PM

Originally Posted by vsheremeti

I definetly think it is not related to alarm led. It blinks indipendently from door alarm led.
I was confused as it was blinking when door was locked and alarm enabled. Do you think the LED is on at all times no matter if car is on or off & door locked with alarm on?

No it is just on when lights are on. Nothing to do with anything else. As I pointed out you will have to replace the complete unit.

**Akshay** · 08-02-2012,12:27 PM

That happened on my TT. Had to have the whole switch replaced but luckliy it was under warranty. I think they cost around £60 but you may strike lucky on ebay.

warp_speed · 09-02-2012,09:08 AM

Here is the link in how to fix this, save yourself some money provided you can solder https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...h-illumination

**Akshay** · 09-02-2012,09:39 AM

Great link, thanks for posting it. Was the problem simply down to a failed LED? Those hardly ever fail!

warp_speed · 09-02-2012,09:42 AM

Originally Posted by Akshay

Great link, thanks for posting it. Was the problem simply down to a failed LED? Those hardly ever fail!

Actually it might not be a failed LED, it might be a dry joint. Try re-soldering the joint and see if the light goes back on. Otherwise it might just be a bad LED, hard to believe but they can fail.