Dome Light Staying On

All,

Yesterday, the dome light in my 98 (A3) GTI stayed on all day while I was at work and then stayed on all the way driving home. It finally went out by itself when I got home.

I did a search and saw some earlier posts regarding the interior light staying on, even when the car is off and or driving down the road. This is the problem that I am experiencing, but I am not having the same type of alarm related issues that others have noted. Though, my keyless entry has not work for some time, the alarm still seems to be working fine.

I did not see any final follow up posts from the people that had this problem. Anyone who had this problem care to post their experiences?

I'll check the door switch and the wires that run through the door jam. Easy to believe that this is where the problem is, but I am unclear why this would not make the alarm go off while parked, or the door open indicator light be on while driving.

In addition to this problem, and the MIL problem I have had recently (see other recent posts with my name attached), also about two weeks ago I noticed that my right turn indicator light was flashing at double speed for about 20 seconds. I turned it off and back on, and things went back to normal. With all these things, I am concerned that one of two things may be going on with my car: 1) the battery explosion I experienced this summer (see posts from some time in late july) caused some type of damage to the electrical system or residual battery acid is corroding the wire harness in the engine compartment (I washed things thoroughly and repeatedly for days after this happened) or 2) the recent heavy rains we have had in washington allowed some water to get where it shouldn't. I have had leak problems with my Rabbit, assorted Golfs and Quantums, but I was hoping that my relatively new GTI would be better than those cars in that respect. So, what do you guys think?

ccp

Reply to
ccp
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I suggest turning it on and off a few time to make sure the switch is working. I am going to guess there is a three way switch, on - on w/ door open - off. Figure out how to remove the bulb because it is going to cost you a battery if it is not fixed.

Is it only one light? Are there other lights that generally are on when the doors are open? If it is the only light switched with the door or if all the lights are doing the same thing, then look at the door switch and wires to it.

Reply to
Joseph Meehan

Here's my 2 cents:

1998 was not a good year for VW quality (IMO). My 1998 Jetta passenger door sometimes appears to be closed yet sometimes it's not and the dome light stays on. A good hip push gets it to close for good. I attribute the problem to a crappy design job and crappy quality control.

If your problem is like mine, I suggest you either live with it or sell your car. I chose to live with it. My dome light switches are always off so the lights never light.

JJS

Reply to
John Speth

sounds like the quality is solid and air tight

Reply to
RLGIRSCH

Open a window a little before closing door. You might also want to check to see if the switch can be adjusted a little.

Reply to
Joseph Meehan

I am certain that this problem is not related to the door not being fully closed. Also pretty certain that the door switch is actually not at fault - the light can be on, but the door-open indicator is not on. I think they are controled by the same switch. I still suspect that the circuit that controls the delayed-turn-off is what is at fault.

I think my 98 has been a really solid car until these few little things have popped up recently, and while some of these things are annoying, it's not quite enough to make me question the overall quality of the car.

ccp

Reply to
ccp

Since I suspect the light can be switched to three modes, off, on or door controlled. It may be that switch that has gone south.

Reply to
Joseph Meehan

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