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felix_schneider59

VW Crafter EV Dashboard & Light Switch Malfunction Fix

Looking for help with my 2023 VW Crafter EV that has developed lighting issues. The dashboard lights keep switching on out of nowhere and the main light switch seems unresponsive at times. Already checked the fuse box and all fuses appear intact. The diagnostic tool shows stored errors related to the lighting system. Has anyone experienced similar problems with their Crafter? Particularly interested in whether replacing the automotive switch fixed the issue or if there might be deeper electrical problems. Would appreciate hearing about repair solutions and workshop experiences.

4 comment(s)

emilroth9

Having some experience with EVs, I encountered a very similar issue with my 2021 VW ID.4. The dashboard lights and dimmer switch started acting up in a comparable way. After checking the fuse box myself, I noticed the car lighting system would behave erratically, especially during cold starts. The main problem turned out to be a faulty connection between the central switch module and its wiring harness. Took it to a workshop where they diagnosed loose connector pins in the car switch assembly. They had to partially disassemble the steering column to access and repair the connection. The total repair cost was 95€, which included diagnostic time and connector replacement. Before jumping to conclusions about your Crafter EV, could you share: Does the issue occur more frequently when the vehicle is cold or warm? Are there any specific driving conditions that trigger the unusual dashboard lights? Have you noticed any correlation with using specific electrical features? Does the dimmer switch function work at all? This information would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced with the connector problem or if it might be something else in the electrical system.

felix_schneider59 (Author)

Latest service was at 95000KM, current mileage 99273KM. The lighting issues started getting worse after driving in heavy rain last week. The headlight switch becomes completely unresponsive on some occasions, while the dashboard lights flicker out of nowhere regardless of weather conditions. The dimmer function works intermittently, and I noticed the tail lights sometimes stay on even after turning off the car. When the service center checked the stored errors last month, they cleared them but the problem returned within days. This makes me think the connector issue you mentioned could be the root cause, especially since the symptoms match. Ill take it back and specifically ask them to inspect the switch assembly connections. The problem definitely seems more pronounced during cold starts, which further supports your theory about the connector pins. Thanks for sharing the repair details, good to know the fix might be relatively straightforward and cost-effective.

emilroth9

Based on those symptoms and especially after heavy rain exposure, your issue sounds nearly identical to what I dealt with. The combination of cold starts affecting the headlight switch and the tail lights staying on matches the faulty connection pattern I experienced. In my case, moisture had actually worked its way into the main lighting control module through a deteriorated seal near the switch assembly. This created corrosion on the connector pins, leading to intermittent electrical contact. The unusual dashboard light behavior was a direct result of the system getting confused by these inconsistent signals. A thorough inspection revealed that water ingress around the dimmer switch had compromised multiple connection points. The repair involved: Replacing the corroded connector pins, Installing new weather sealing, Updating the lighting control module software Total repair cost came to 180€ including parts and labor. Since the fix, all lighting functions have worked flawlessly for over 15000km, even in wet conditions. Make sure your service center thoroughly checks for moisture damage around the electrical connections, not just the obvious switch components. The tail lights staying on is a telltale sign of compromised wiring connections rather than just a faulty light switch.

felix_schneider59 (Author)

Thanks for the detailed feedback. The rain exposure connection makes perfect sense now. After comparing my symptoms with yours and reviewing the repair solution, I feel confident about the next steps. Will schedule a service appointment to have them check the headlight switch assembly and surrounding connections for moisture damage. The tail lights staying on even after shutdown was really bothering me, so its reassuring to hear this matches your experience with the faulty connectors. Good point about having them inspect the seals around the dimmer switch too. The repair cost seems reasonable at 180€ considering it includes both parts and labor. Plus the fact your fix has lasted over 15000km gives me confidence this should resolve my electrical problems completely. The timing works well since Im approaching the 100000km service mark anyway. Will make sure they do a thorough check of the entire lighting control module and update any relevant software while its in. Hopefully this will put an end to these unusual dashboard lights and unresponsive switches once and for all.

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