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Instrument lighting Auto Dimming Fault

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 7:34 pm
by markjp
The auto dimming on my instrument lighting has started playing up. During daylight they intermittently dim down as if it's dark.

I took my car into the dealers yesterday and demontrated the fault as it happened when we were driving into the sun.

However when I went to collect the car the service guy said that no fault was found on their diagnostics and therefore they couldn't do anything about it. They said that VW would not pay out for a warrantly claim if there was no fault showing up.

I am really not very happy about this response as quite obviously the sensor is not working correctly.

Has anyone else had this fault and managed to get it sorted by their dealer?

Re: Instrument lighting Auto Dimming Fault

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 8:47 pm
by RW1
There a bulletin blocking them doing anything as a warranty claim when there is no fault code.

Light switch in OFF or Auto position but OK on Sidelights or Headlights?
- Explain the background of operation to the customer.

- No repair necessary.

This is "no complaint" in the sense of warranty. Do not repair. Groundlessly replaced parts will be redebited.
Most likely the rain & light sensor up behind the rear view mirror playing up.

C.

Re: Instrument lighting Auto Dimming Fault

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 9:13 pm
by markjp
RW1 wrote:There a bulletin blocking them doing anything as a warranty claim.

Light switch in OFF or Auto position but OK on Sidelights or Headlights?
- Explain the background of operation to the customer.

- No repair necessary.

This is "no complaint" in the sense of warranty. Do not repair. Groundlessly replaced parts will be redebited.
Most likely the rain & light sensor up behind the rear view mirror playing up.

C.
"RW1" Is bulletin specifically about instrument dimming problems or any fault when the lights are at OFF or AUTO?

Re: Instrument lighting Auto Dimming Fault

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 10:16 pm
by RW1
Specifically the dash insert .......

Titled: "Dash insert light too dark, brilliance changes unexpectedly"
Ref: 2025889/2

ie. suddenly goes dark.

Only occurrs with the Light Switch in the OFF or Auto position.

As I said, it blocking warranty work because there isn't a hard fault registering in the 09 Centrl Electrics Controller.
As you wrote "they couldn't do anything about it. They said that VW would not pay out for a warrantly claim if there was no fault showing up."....... They are being honest with you. And affectively saying they won't stand the cost themselves.

It may be worth while if you have access to VCDS to check the Light sub-Controller's settings in 09 Central Electrics Controller. This is the normal set of settings highlighted in blue, Bytes 0 & 1.
Light Controller.JPG
Light Sensor Settings.JPG
There is another but your query description didn't fully match it, look here

C.

Re: Instrument lighting Auto Dimming Fault

Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 10:02 pm
by markjp
RW1 wrote:Specifically the dash insert .......

Titled: "Dash insert light too dark, brilliance changes unexpectedly"
Ref: 2025889/2

ie. suddenly goes dark.

Only occurrs with the Light Switch in the OFF or Auto position.

As I said, it blocking warranty work because there isn't a hard fault registering in the 09 Centrl Electrics Controller.
As you wrote "they couldn't do anything about it. They said that VW would not pay out for a warrantly claim if there was no fault showing up."....... They are being honest with you. And affectively saying they won't stand the cost themselves.

It may be worth while if you have access to VCDS to check the Light sub-Controller's settings in 09 Central Electrics Controller. This is the normal set of settings highlighted in blue, Bytes 0 & 1.
Light Controller.JPG
Light Sensor Settings.JPG
There is another but your query description didn't fully match it, look here

C.
Thanks RW1 for a very informative response.

It's a shame if my dealer was aware of the bulletins that it wasn't honest to me and say that VW are aware of an issue but do not currently have a fix and recommend that you use Side or Headlight position.