VW Amarok's Mystery Headlight Switch Malfunction Alert

Had the same issue on a 2013 VW Passat with the headlight switch malfunctioning. The dashboard lights and tail lights would flicker intermittently, especially during cold starts. The root cause was a damaged wiring harness connector at the dimmer switch assembly. Corrosion had built up inside the plug housing, creating poor contact points. Initially thought it was just the headlight switch itself, but diagnostic testing revealed the broader connection problem. The repair required replacing the entire wiring harness section and installing a new dimmer switch module. This was actually a serious electrical issue that could have led to complete lighting system failure if left unaddressed. The car lighting system shares multiple connection points through that harness. The symptoms matched perfectly, unusual activation of dashboard lights and error codes in the system. When testing the voltage at various points, there were clear signs of resistance fluctuation at the connector. Recommend having a full diagnostic scan done first to isolate whether its a switch, connector or wiring issue before any parts replacement. In many cases, its not just the visible switch that needs attention but the underlying electrical connections.

Thanks for the detailed explanation of the dimmer switch and wiring harness problem. This really helps since I am seeing identical symptoms with my electrical problem. The diagnostic approach makes sense to avoid just blindly replacing parts. Would you mind sharing what the total repair cost was in your case? Also curious if you had any issues pop up since getting it fixed or if it resolved the problem completely?

After having the faulty light switch and wiring inspected, the repair was straightforward and cost 95€ to fix. The issue came down to a damaged cable connection at the switch assembly. The electrical problem was resolved by cleaning and properly reconnecting the component. The dashboard lights and other electrical irregularities completely disappeared after the repair. Its been several months now with no issues whatsoever, the car switch is working perfectly and the error codes have not returned. The fuse box and all associated connections were also checked during the service to ensure there were no other potential problems. Really glad I had a proper diagnostic done first rather than just replacing parts. A thorough check of the electrical system helped identify the exact failure point and kept the repair costs reasonable.

I decided to take my Amarok to a new repair shop based on the helpful advice here. The mechanic did a full diagnostic scan first and found the exact same wiring harness connection issue you described. The dashboard lights problem was traced to corroded contacts in the headlight switch assembly. Total repair came to 180€ including parts and labor. They cleaned all the connection points, replaced the damaged section of the wiring harness, and installed a new dimmer module. The car lighting system has been working flawlessly for the past 2 weeks with no unusual activation or error codes. Really appreciate the guidance on getting a proper diagnosis first. Saved me from potentially spending more on unnecessary parts replacement. Good to know this is a known electrical problem with a straightforward fix when diagnosed correctly.