Dash problem? No reverse lights?

[shane14]

Hi all,

I have a 97 (R) Sharan 2.0. Just recently the dash lights have been coming on when i start the car? No lights are on and i have tried turning the lights on and off but they just stay on? After a while the lights go out and occasionally they don't come on so no problem. This has been going on for about a week.

Yesterday i got home and when i tried to reverse into my space the reverse lights wouldn't come on? When i select reverse the dash lights come on (every time)? yet no reverse lights? Couldn't see a blooming thing!

I haven't looked at anything yet but am going to this avvo. Any help whatsoever would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Shane

[shane14]

Also i have noticed that when trying to operate the rear windscreen wiper (which seems to be faulty - motor? lack of power) the dash flashes intermitently?

[shane14]

Still having problems. Could this be the electrics are damp? Car has been difficult to start a couple of times (not usual for my car) Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.......

[shane14]

Still having problems with my dash? Every time i try to operate the rear windcreen wiper the dash lights come on when it moves, and go off when the wiper reaches its rest point? The dash also lights up when i select reverse? Yet i don't have any reverse lights?

Electrical problem? Damp?

PLEASE HELP.....................ANYBODY???????????

[mick]

Could it be the earthing? have you tried looking at all the earthing points, Maybe loosen clean and retighten?

[shane14]

Thanks for your reply Mick, will let you know how i get on......

[Arty]

Earth connections at the rear are favorite, although the tailgate wiring through the flexible connection at the top, may be broken/shorting. If you cant find a bad earth, try disconnecting wiring blocks around the rear to try to determine where the problem lies.

[TDi-iac]

Different car, so unsure of the rear loom, but if a bulb has blown, or even just has bad contact with the housing, then it can appear like an earth fault (sorry- can cause an earth fault, as there is nowhere else for the current to go!) Check the bulbs and look for corrosion on the bulb housing.

[shane14]

Thanks for your replies, it will have to wait till Sunday now due to work but i don't need the car for the next few days anyway so will let you all know how i get on.

[andysuth]

Hi,

I'm having problems with my reversing switch (?) in conjunction with my Dash lights, I'm just wondering were your dash lights flickering?

Did you solve your problems?

What was the cause?

Mine's a 1998 A4, so could be similar issues!

Thanks.

-Andy