rear lights not working faulty

[cliotubz]

hi there im new and have a problem with my rear lights. Brake lights, indicators work just not rear lights ive tried fuses there fine, bulbs there fine aswell. But have just found out it can be the headlight switch, if when lights are on and drivers door is open, the warning beeb is not beebing then it might be the switch. I am going 2 try this and get back to tell how i got on. As when i was searching this there were no other threads so i hope i can help sum1 out by posting this and put there mind at rest.

if any1 knows of anything else it could be let me know cheers.

[martin1810]

If the light switch is faulty the front side lights shouldn't work either as they use the same circuit and the same fuse. This may not be so for all years and all models though. I would try earthing the rear lights incase you have lost the earth.

[Crasher]

So just to confirm, your problem is that the tail lights (rear side lights) do not work but everything else does including the front side lights?

[cliotubz]

yer just rear tail lights, it was on passat world sum1 had the same prob took it 2 his dealer an found out it was the switch.

if it was an earthing prob wouldnt it effect the rest of the rear lights or dimma or sumthink?

[Crasher]

Which year is the Passat?

[martin1810]

Has a tow bar been fitted or have LED bulbs been used anywhere on the car. Towbar fitters sometimes make bad connections to the rear lights. Poor LED replacement bulbs can cause all sorts of strange effects.

[cliotubz]

no tow bar and its a 1997/8 and doesnt look like its had a tow bar ever fitted. no led lights either, when i bought the car they were working.

[martin1810]

Can you use a 12v circuit tester to test if the wire to the bulbs is live or not. There should be a brown connector in the lefthand A pillar which contains wires for both rear lights. As this is a common point it would seem a good place to look, especially if you have had water leaks at any time.

[cliotubz]

nice 1 lads 4 helping me put with my rear side light situation, it is now solved an the culprit was the headlight switch ive just got 1 put it in and my rear lights are alive again so thanx 4 all your help!