Multiple VW Amarok Electrical Faults Linked to Fog Sensor

As someone with moderate experience working on VWs, I dealt with a very similar electrical issue on my 2016 VW Tiguan. The dashboard warning lights and multiple system malfunctions pointed to what initially seemed like separate problems, but turned out to be related. After dealing with frozen controls and sensor calibration errors, I took it to a workshop where they diagnosed a faulty wiring harness connector near the fog sensor. The connection had corroded over time, causing intermittent electrical issues across multiple systems. The repair involved cleaning the connector and replacing some damaged wires, costing 95€ in total. The symptoms match your description perfectly, when these connectors start failing, they often trigger cascading malfunctions across different systems. Before proceeding with repairs, it would be helpful to know: Have you scanned for specific error codes? Did these issues start simultaneously or develop gradually? Are the malfunctions constant or do they come and go? Has your vehicle been exposed to particularly wet conditions? This information would help determine if your Amarok is experiencing the same connector issue I encountered. A proper diagnosis would confirm whether the root cause is similar to what I experienced with my Tiguan.

Confirming these electrical issues after my latest service at 148583km. The error codes were pulled and show consistent sensor calibration faults. The humidity sensor and visibility sensors are both throwing intermittent errors. The problems started gradually over about 2 weeks. Initially just the AC, then the other systems followed. The dashboard warning lights are now constant, though some functions work intermittently. The wiring harness connection issue mentioned makes sense given the symptoms. Will have the workshop check specifically for corrosion at those points. The car has been through several heavy rain periods which could have contributed to connector degradation. Appreciate the detailed insight on potential causes. Will update once the workshop completes their diagnostic check of the sensor systems.

Thanks for the additional details about the timing and progression of these issues. Your description of how the problems developed matches exactly what I experienced, that gradual cascade of malfunctions is a classic sign of deteriorating connections. The fact that your automotive sensor problems appeared after heavy rain exposure further supports the connector corrosion theory. In my case, the workshop found that water had actually tracked along the wiring harness and collected in the connector housing, causing the initial damage. When my windshield fogging problems started, followed by other systems failing, the repair shop did a systematic check of all the relevant connections. The main culprit was indeed the visibility sensor array, but they also found minor corrosion in a few other connectors. Based on your kilometer reading and the similar malfunction pattern, I would strongly suggest having them check the entire sensor wiring bundle, not just the obvious connection points. In my repair, they ended up finding additional potential failure points that would have caused problems later. The total repair time was about 3 hours, and the final cost including parts and labor came to 280€. The dashboard warning lights cleared immediately after the fix, and all systems have functioned perfectly for the past 8 months.

Thanks for the input. After getting my Amarok checked at the workshop yesterday, the diagnosis confirmed what was discussed here. They found significant corrosion in the wiring harness connector near the humidity sensor cluster. The moisture had caused multiple sensor calibration failures, triggering the cascade of electrical issues. The repair involved a complete cleaning of the corroded connections and replacement of the damaged wiring sections. They also applied a protective coating to prevent future water ingress. Total cost was 295€ for parts and labor. All automotive sensor systems are now functioning correctly. The windshield fogging controls, AC, and other affected systems are back to normal. The malfunction warnings have cleared from the dashboard completely. Will be keeping an eye on the condition of these connections during future services, especially after wet weather periods. Really appreciate the guidance that helped pinpoint the likely cause and saved time in the diagnostic process.