VW Bora Light Switch Malfunction Causing Random Flashes

I had a similar issue with my VW Golf 2004 gasoline. The headlight switch started acting up, causing unusual activation of lights and dashboard lights showing errors. After inspection, the main problem was traced to corroded terminals in the light switch assembly and a damaged wiring harness connector. The issue turned out to be quite serious as it affected the entire lighting system, including tail lights. If left unrepaired, it could have led to complete lighting failure or electrical shorts. The repair involved replacing the headlight switch unit and rewiring some connections at the fuse box. The root cause was moisture infiltration over time, which is common in these VW models. Signs started with intermittent dashboard lights flickering before the headlight switch began failing completely. The car switch needed total replacement rather than just cleaning, as the internal contacts were severely deteriorated. This is a known weak point in VW models from that era. Would strongly recommend having it checked by a certified technician, as DIY repairs on the electrical system can create more problems. The repair procedure requires specific diagnostic tools to reset the comfort control module after installation.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I was wondering how much you ended up paying for the automotive switch replacement and repair work? My light switch is showing similar symptoms to what you described, and I want to budget accordingly. Also, has everything worked properly since the fix, or have you noticed any other electrical issues with the tail lights or dashboard?

Had it fixed last week actually. The automotive switch repair was simpler than expected, turned out to be just a faulty connection rather than needing a complete switch replacement. Total cost was 95€ for fixing the cable connection at the plug point. The headlight switch now works perfectly, no more unusual activations or dashboard lights showing errors. The tail lights and all other lighting functions are back to normal too. Definitely worth getting it properly diagnosed and fixed, as driving with unreliable lights is both unsafe and illegal. Actually glad I went to the certified shop since they found the exact issue without replacing parts unnecessarily. The car switch system in these VWs is pretty reliable once properly repaired. No electrical issues whatsoever since the fix.

Thanks for the advice everyone. Just got back from the shop and wanted to share my experience. The electrical problem turned out to be similar but slightly different from what others mentioned. The mechanic found corroded wiring behind the headlight switch that was causing intermittent connections. The repair involved cleaning the contacts and replacing a small section of the wiring harness. Total cost came to 180€ including diagnostics. The dashboard lights and tail lights are now working perfectly. No more unusual activations or warning signals. Found a much better mechanic this time, they took the time to show me exactly what was causing the issue and fixed it properly without trying to replace parts unnecessarily. The automotive switch itself was actually fine, just needed the wiring sorted out. Really relieved to have this electrical issue resolved properly.