4 Reasons the Low Beam Headlights in Your Volkswagen Aren't Working (Even if the High Beam Headlights Are)
Headlights play an immensely important role in your safety. Whether you're driving at night or making yourself more visible in inclement weather, you need your headlights to be in good condition. If they aren't working, you could suffer anything from a ticket to an accident. Though you may think of using your high beams instead, this is also dangerous (it can temporarily blind other drivers, for instance). If your high beams still work, but your low beams don't, it's likely due to one of these four reasons. We can address all of them at Archer Volkswagen.
4. Burned-Out Low Beam Bulbs
The chances that the bulbs on both sides would burn out at the same time is astronomically low; however, there is something else that may have happened. Modern headlights are often much brighter than their older counterparts. If one bulb burns out, it can be hard to notice since the other bulb is so bright. But if this second bulb burns out, you'll be left in the dark. Replacing burned-out bulbs is a simple and fast procedure.
3. A Blown Fuse
If there's no problem with the actual headlight bulbs, your VW may have a blown fuse. You can either locate the fuse box and replace the fuse yourself, or bring your car to Archer Volkwagen and let the experts handle it. If the headlights work well and continue to work after the fuse is replaced, you're in the clear! If not, it could be due to. . . .
2. Other Wiring Problems
Bad wiring can cause a fuse to blow--and if it is a wiring problem, the fuse may continue to fail, even after being replaced. However, there can be other issues with the wiring that don't blow the fuse. The wiring in your VW is complex, and you'll likely need an expert to diagnose and repair the problems.
1. Broken Low Beam Headlight Relay
The switch that you flip in order to turn on the headlights isn't actually connected to the headlights themselves. Rather, it's connected to a relay. Once activated, this relay supplies the headlights with the electricity they need (and keeps it away from your hand). The low beam relay is often separate from the high beam relay, and it may have gone bad. If so, it's usually best to replace this part entirely.
