headlights won't turn on, fuse or other underlying problem?

[tamadrumr88]

Came out to my car last night around 11:30pm, flipped the heated seats on and started the car... went to flip on the headlights and *nothing*. I had to drive home holding the high beams on [down]

Brake lights work (but rear daytime running lights dont work), and the headlights won't come on unless I manually pull the high beam stalk towards me. The high beam stalk won't stay in place if I push it forward, but it works if I pull it back and hold it. Headlights don't work at all, I try to flip them up and nothing happens, it won't even hold in place it just pops back down to the off position


Is this a fuse, or is there something else wrong that I'm over looking?

[Chiddo]

Sounds like you need a new switch. (stalk on the steering column). Very common problem and very easy to replace.

[tamadrumr88]

I'm assuming this is it --> http://www.audiworld.com/tech/elec92.shtml

[Chiddo]

Yup. Pay attention to all the tools needed before you start. I learned the hard way. Oh and the Philips should be really long and skinny.

[djwimbo]

pull the column cover. Take a look at the switch, there should be a 12AWG YELLOW wire in the connector. Turn the lights on and see if there's voltage coming out of it. (back probe the connector NOT the wire)

If nothing comes out, replace switch.

[stubbs]

rear daytime running lights? Do you mean rear fog lights? Which definitely should NOT be used in anything except very heavy fog?
Does sound like you need a new switch.

[tamadrumr88]

rear daytime running lights? Do you mean rear fog lights? Which definitely should NOT be used in anything except very heavy fog?
Does sound like you need a new switch.

Not rear fogs, when you turn your headlights on you have a strip of lights on the tail lights that light up independently of the brake lights

[stubbs]

Not rear fogs, when you turn your headlights on you have a strip of lights on the tail lights that light up independently of the brake lights

Ah, taillights then. I've just never heard them called rear running lights before, so I didn't know what you were talking about.

[MattzWarsteiner]

Happened to me just 2 weeks ago.

I temporarily rigged up a relay, used fused power from my heated
seats and got the contact coil voltage from the taillights fuse. All without cutting
into the wiring harness and all done at the fuse panel.
I have yet to put in my new switch. I know, I am a lazy ass.
Next project on the list. I'm too cheap to pay anyone to do it.

[stevejones19]

this has happened twice to me now. I found a temporary fix. if you push up on the switch really hard, they'll come on. but you have to hold it up for a while. But eventually they will stay on. Till you turn them back off.