tail light out warning

[philip_g]

about every 3 starts I get a left tail light out warning on the DIS.

I have taken the tail light out, cleaned the contacts, checked the wires, it's all fine, bulbs all work.

When I get the warning, if I turn the headlights and front and rear fogs on, it goes away.

It's pretty annoying, can I just code those off with a vag-com?

[fly300kts]

Nope

Phil

[adam044]

Seems like you've done everything but change the bulb. So change the bulb it's like $4

[philip_g]

Seems like you've done everything but change the bulb. So change the bulb it's like $4

it's more like $20 since you have to change all 5. Yeah, did that....

[adam044]

Oh, I'd sell it.

[Pat_McGroin]

I have the same issue, my gf was driving behind me a few nights ago and calls to let me know my left taillight was out. I didn't have a bulb out warning or anything though, got home, took a look and everything was fine, all lights were on. After that night, I would get a bulb out warning every once in a while but would go away on its own. I ended up changing all the bulbs but nothing changed, I was leaving work the other day and as soon as I turned the car on the warning came on, I took a look and this is what I saw. Had the dealer check it out when I went in for service and was told the connection was corroded. Perfect excuse to purchase LED taillights.

https://youtu.be/qK6f7RWUmnM

[pkny]

I had the same problem. The hot wire on the female connector was loose. Loose connection probable caused several arching event which let to a burnt male pin.

Cleaned the male pin with sand paper and applied a good coat of dielectric grease. This may work for you.
This is also a temporary fix. I do plan on connecting a new harness, but it is near impossible to fine the avant specific tail light harness anywhere.

[drewgold]

I had a similar issue on my Avant. One of the connector pins was corroded. Looked like water had been getting into the plug. The plastic bulb base which includes the male plug receptacle was pretty cheap from GAP.

Iirc the plug is pretty standard is it not? You could also find the female pin connector from an electronics supply place like digikey and splice it in. Actually easy to do.



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[allstock]

Are you sure you checked the right tail light - with all the lights on? There's four separate bulb carrier brackets.

[philip_g]

Are you sure you checked the right tail light - with all the lights on? There's four separate bulb carrier brackets.

every single bulb functioned. There's actually 5..... 4 in the tail light assembly and one in the trunk lid...

[philip_g]

Oh, I'd sell it.

I plan to, which is why I want to not get a flag on random starts.

[philip_g]

I had a similar issue on my Avant. One of the connector pins was corroded. Looked like water had been getting into the plug. The plastic bulb base which includes the male plug receptacle was pretty cheap from GAP.

Iirc the plug is pretty standard is it not? You could also find the female pin connector from an electronics supply place like digikey and splice it in. Actually easy to do.



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I'll check them again

[philip_g]

I had the same problem. The hot wire on the female connector was loose. Loose connection probable caused several arching event which let to a burnt male pin.

Cleaned the male pin with sand paper and applied a good coat of dielectric grease. This may work for you.
This is also a temporary fix. I do plan on connecting a new harness, but it is near impossible to fine the avant specific tail light harness anywhere.

I'll be damn, on closer inspection, happened to mine too.