wipers, heater, and headlights not working?

25

Asked by anushkamm Nov 02, 2007 at 09:18 PM about the 2001 Volkswagen Golf GTI

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Car runs fine, the heater or a/c do not work, wipers do not work and headlights donot work, what can it be? Certain section of fuse box not getting power, all fuses are good. What can it be?

23 Answers

i would take to dealer or a mechanic you trust.

4 people found this helpful.
84,375

These are unrelated problems most likely, however, you may find some mouse damage to the wiring harness, etc., which could lead to various unrelated issues cropping up at once. You'll need to have this tracked down by a mechanic for sure.

13 people found this helpful.
510

I have a 2001 GLX with exactly the same problem. Drives me nuts. One day, I'll turn the car on, and the wipers, blower, and turn signals do not work. Sometimes I drive for 15 minutes, and they all come on. Sometimes they don't. Every time I've taken the car in for service the problem goes away before I get to the dealer, and they tell me they can't do anything about it if they can't replicate the problem. Drives me absolutely nuts. A real problem when it rains...

51 people found this helpful.
150

I have a 97 Cabrio that did the same thing and it turned out to be a faulty ignition switch. The next time it goes out play around with the switch. Jiggle the key around in the ignition until you hit the spot that make it go out and again until everything comes back on.the switch was only $32 and it solved the problems.

15 people found this helpful.
65

Most likely a fuse... a larger amp rating if it runs headlighst... look at your manual and if it is a fuse or a relay it will list specifically what doesn't work. assuming it's not written in German and you can't read it lol

6 people found this helpful.
430

Again let me reinterate , (trust me )it's a faulty ignition switch not a bad relay a short in the wipers or a bumb heater/ac nor bad sensor for the ABS but a faulty ignition switch.

43 people found this helpful.
160

Try changing the plastic behind the ignition switch,,, It is cracked.. Just finished doing that myself.. Wworked for 3 days chasing wires and relays only to find out that the ignition switch was cracked.

16 people found this helpful.
160

Well Done Jordan!! I should send you $36 bucks.. because you just nailed it. Geeze Louise. I Googled online help, got intouch with a VW mechanic which donates his time. If I was satified with the answer..I would donate $36. To funny, obviously my car could not blow all those electrical items at once. Thank you :) And cheap, cheap, cheap to replace! Cheers P

14 people found this helpful.
90

My heater and wipers won't work when I start it but when I have it in the accessories switch it works

9 people found this helpful.
200

I'm having similar problems, I'm very open 2 suggestions. My daughters 99 Beetle. The headlights, turn signals, Heater and back hatch switch won't work but, the flashers work. Also windows keep rolling down by their self. Oh yeah and a few times the radio has came on by its self with no key in ignition. I have no clue what's wrong with it starting to think its Christine from the movie.

20 people found this helpful.
140

I'm having the same issue. No ac/heater low beam lights or wiper blades though the ac and wipers start to work once I turn on the high beams. What's going in?

14 people found this helpful.
55

Same problem, and as others i am sure found out. this is something very hard to find online solution. Blower fan/power to windows and locks/headlights and inside lights/wipers all do not, {as in work then dont work}. i think i am fixing to just go out and buy ignition. is it easy to install? [2009 Xterra] i will for sure do the wiggle first, if it does something, then i will know for sure. thank you everyone, HOWARD

5 people found this helpful.
20

Got the same problem with my golf, changed the relay still the same...any suggestions?

2 people found this helpful.
60

Definitely the ignition switch just dealt with this myself, while car is running tap key or hit key a few times or wiggle it everything will start working, replace it and all will be good.

6 people found this helpful.
40

fuses connection to positive battery side was bad, all corroded, you know rusty. was bad. 30usd new, replaced it myself. wala. all works. you know, those fuses that are part of the battery connection on the positive side. 7869250008 text me for more details, etc. habeas7@gmail.com or reach me there. ty all and bigjamez26 Howard

4 people found this helpful.
20

I have a 2000 vw beetle with all of the same problems. I read all of these comments & checked all the fuses & replaced the ignition switch. I still have the same problems!!! Help?!?!

2 people found this helpful.
160

Hello, lol, check your ignition switch.. wiggle the key.. and you can tell. Most times we have to many darn things on our key chains, this will wear out the switch over time ")

1 people found this helpful.
30

It is your ignition switch. You can take it apart and clean the contacts or pay 56 bucks for a new one but cleaning fix mine on a 2000 Volkswagen golf

3 people found this helpful.
20

Pezer77 & Ray, Thanks but I've replaced the switch with a brand new one & only have one key on the keychain. It still does the same thing but it will work for long periods of time & then quit working for long periods of time too.. Like a month or so they will work, then like a month or so, they wont.. I had just reasently had a toon up this week, maybe that will help?? I'm hoping anyways..

10

Jono, got this problem with my Mercedes GLK 2012. You nailed it. Ignition switch!!!!!! Thanks man!

1 people found this helpful.
10

It’s the BCM (body control module) been there. Cost me 1200$ when I was done to have fixed at VW

1 people found this helpful.

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