Volkswagen Tail Lights Not Working

As a certified Volkswagen technician, I understand the frustration and inconvenience that a malfunctioning tail light can cause. Not only is it a safety hazard, but it can also lead to costly repairs. That’s why I’ve created this troubleshooting guide to help you quickly diagnose and resolve the issue. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to troubleshoot a malfunctioning tail light, including:

Identifying the problem
Testing the tail light bulbs
Checking the wiring
Replacing the tail light switch

By following these steps, you can quickly and easily get your Volkswagen back on the road safely.

Why Volkswagen Tail Lights Not Working

Burnt-out light bulb

The most common reason for a tail light not working is a burnt-out light bulb. To check if this is the case, look at the tail light bulb and see if it is discolored or has a black spot on it. If so, the bulb needs to be replaced.

Faulty wiring

Another common cause of a tail light not working is a faulty wiring connection. To check if this is the case, inspect the wiring harness for any damage or corrosion. If you find any damage, it will need to be repaired or replaced.

Faulty tail light switch

The tail light switch is a small switch located in the car’s interior. It is responsible for turning the tail lights on and off. If the tail light switch is faulty, it will not be able to send the signal to the tail lights to turn on. To check if this is the case, try turning the tail lights on and off with the switch. If the lights do not turn on or off, the switch needs to be replaced.

Faulty tail light fuse

The tail light fuse is a small fuse located in the car’s fuse box. It is responsible for protecting the tail lights from electrical overload. If the tail light fuse is blown, it will not be able to allow electricity to flow to the tail lights. To check if this is the case, check the fuse box for a blown fuse. If you find a blown fuse, it will need to be replaced.

How to Troubleshoot: Volkswagen Tail Lights Not Working

Your Volkswagen’s tail lights are an important safety feature, so it’s important to fix them if they’re not working properly. There are a few different things that could be causing the problem, and it’s usually pretty easy to troubleshoot.

Step 1: Check the fuses

The first thing you should do is check the fuses for the tail lights. The fuses are usually located in the fuse box under the hood. Each fuse is labeled with a diagram of the circuit it protects, so you can easily find the fuse for the tail lights.

To check the fuse, use a multimeter to measure the voltage across the fuse. If the fuse is blown, it will have zero volts across it. If the fuse is good, it will have the same voltage as the rest of the circuit.

If the fuse is blown, you can replace it with a fuse of the same amperage. Be sure to use the correct type of fuse, as using the wrong type of fuse could damage the electrical system.

Step 2: Check the bulbs

If the fuses are good, the next thing you should check is the bulbs themselves. The tail lights are usually made up of two bulbs, one for the brake light and one for the running light.

To check the bulbs, turn on the headlights and look at the tail lights. If one or both of the bulbs are not lit, you’ll need to replace them.

To replace a tail light bulb, you’ll need to remove the old bulb and install the new one. The process for removing and installing a tail light bulb will vary depending on the make and model of your Volkswagen.

Step 3: Check the wiring

If the fuses and bulbs are good, the next thing you should check is the wiring. The wiring for the tail lights is usually located in the trunk.

To check the wiring, you’ll need to use a multimeter to measure the voltage at different points in the circuit. If there is no voltage at any point in the circuit, the wiring is damaged and will need to be repaired or replaced.

Step 4: Take it to a mechanic

If you’ve checked the fuses, bulbs, and wiring and you still can’t figure out why the tail lights aren’t working, it’s time to take your Volkswagen to a mechanic. A mechanic will be able to diagnose the problem and fix it quickly and easily.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting Volkswagen tail lights that are not working is usually a simple process. By following the steps in this guide, you can quickly and easily fix the problem.

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