Golf 1.9tdi - Dashboard lights flickering

**donnytella** · 26-04-2007,01:55 PM

Hi, Ive got a problem with my 4 year old Golf TDI (52 plate).
The lights that illuminate the dashboard flicker quite heavily and so do the lights which illuminate the electric window controls and any other dials and switches that are illuminated. Ite driving me crazy!!

Does anyone have any ideas of what the problem could be? I took the care to a VW main dealer and they replaced the dashbaord dimmer control and it made no difference what so ever.

Terry

**Eshrules** · 26-04-2007,02:05 PM

Originally Posted by donnytella

Hi, Ive got a problem with my 4 year old Golf TDI (52 plate).
The lights that illuminate the dashboard flicker quite heavily and so do the lights which illuminate the electric window controls and any other dials and switches that are illuminated. Ite driving me crazy!!

Does anyone have any ideas of what the problem could be? I took the care to a VW main dealer and they replaced the dashbaord dimmer control and it made no difference what so ever.

Terry

most obvious one to me... have you checked your battery? a poorly charged battery or poorly charging alternator could be a possible cause?

do you have an aftermarket sound install?

**donnytella** · 26-04-2007,02:36 PM

Actually that makes a lot of sense..... How can I tell if my battery needs replacing or if its the alternator not charging the batterey correctly? Or should I just replace the battery first and see what happens, its the cheaper of the 2.

Cheers
Terry

**Eshrules** · 26-04-2007,02:45 PM

Originally Posted by donnytella

Actually that makes a lot of sense..... How can I tell if my battery needs replacing or if its the alternator not charging the batterey correctly? Or should I just replace the battery first and see what happens, its the cheaper of the 2.

Cheers
Terry

im not actually too sure on how to test a battery, but it involves a voltmeter and ensuring the battery is 1. outputting the correct voltage and 2. continues to output around 3/4 of the batteries output voltage when placed under load.

let me check with my brother when he comes home to double check.... id hate to lead you up the garden path, unless there is a techie on here who can help, my mind seems to have gone blank

**donnytella** · 26-04-2007,02:59 PM

Much apreciated......

**Big_E** · 26-04-2007,05:40 PM

Turn your engine on, with the vehicle on idle, the battery should read 13.9V on idle and raise slightly when revving to 2.3/3K revs.

It COULD be the alternator, one tip is to * when the veh is running * gentley tap the top of the alternator with a ling rench or broom handle or something. Sometimes the brushed can seize slightly and stop the alternator working properly.

If your Voltage across the battery is low, check it after tapping the alternator.

**Eshrules** · 26-04-2007,07:29 PM

Originally Posted by Big_E

Turn your engine on, with the vehicle on idle, the battery should read 13.9V on idle and raise slightly when revving to 2.3/3K revs.

It COULD be the alternator, one tip is to * when the veh is running * gentley tap the top of the alternator with a ling rench or broom handle or something. Sometimes the brushed can seize slightly and stop the alternator working properly.

If your Voltage across the battery is low, check it after tapping the alternator.

if the brushes have seized slightly, this is a recon job if im remember rightly? sometimes actually cheaper to buy a new alternator....

**donnytella** · 27-04-2007,02:13 PM

Many thanks guys..... How come I dont get this advice from my main dealer? They just scratch their heads and charge me loads of money.. I will let you know if it works

Terry

**Sam** · 27-04-2007,02:33 PM

It could be something as simple as a dodgy earth too.

Check, if you've added any aftermarket electrical things, everything is grounded properly.

**bora(ing) nick** · 27-04-2007,02:57 PM

Originally Posted by mycarsavw

It could be something as simple as a dodgy earth too.

Check, if you've added any aftermarket electrical things, everything is grounded properly.

Thats what i think it could be......

If it was a problem with the battery or the alternator, you'd have more severe problems than a flickering dash..... The car wouldn't start..... if it was started and you switched the fan on to full, the car would stall (or almost stall)

Run a seperate earth to the connection block on the dimmer control unit and see if that helps any.... if it does thats your culprit

Nick