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Headlamp issue please help..98 Jetta Diesel

Last night while driving my 1998 VW Jetta TDI everything was fine. But this morning something funny happened. Ok let me explain a bit. The way the headlamps work is when you turn the key the parking lights go on and if the emergency brake is on (which it was as my car is a standard) when you release the e-brake the headlights go on automatically so you dont have to worry about turning them on ever. Well this morning I start my, car release the brake and no lights. I am miffed. The parking lights are on but both low beam headlamps are out. Well plan B comes to mind just use the high beams for the time being. Well I drove to work with no problem but when I drove home from work I arrived to my parking area and I noted the drivers side high beam has also gone out. So now I only have one light, the passenger side high beam that is working. Any ideas, thoughts, or fixes for my situation????? If you want to respond to question feel free to write to my email at snipped-for-privacy@aol.com or just reply back to the group. thanks for your time!

Reply to
AlanH70
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Did you check if the bulbs were burned out? Excess voltage will reduce bulb life dramatically. If your voltage regulator is bad and your voltage is too high, it could explain 3 bulbs burning out in short order.

Measure the voltage at the battery as you gradually raise the engine RPM from idle to 3000 RPM. On my '87 the spec. is 14.0 V +/- 0.5V, I think this is what VW uses (although some other cars use 14.5V +/- 0.5V). See if your voltage is too high. If it gets over 18V, abort the experiment immediately.

Reply to
Randolph

How do you check the voltage? Do you need some sort of special equipment, electrical knowledge for this? Also as a worst case scenario how much would a new voltage regulator cost?

Reply to
AlanH70

You need a voltmeter of some sort. Any multi-meter you can get your hands on will have a DC voltage range that can be used. Touch one probe to each battery terminal.

On earlier Golfs / Jettas the voltage regulator could be replaced by itself, I don't know if this is still the case on your '98. Worst case you need a new alternator, which would set you back somewhere between US$ 120 and US$ 200 for parts.

Several bulbs burning out in short order could be caused by a broken voltage regulator, but it is by no means conclusive. I would check it out sooner rather than later, as a broken voltage regulator and consequent wrong system voltage can be harmful for the battery and a number of expensive electrical devices in the car.

Reply to
Randolph

Just a simple voltmeter/multi-meter from Radio Shack works fine.

Reply to
Biz

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