VW Lupo Light Switch Malfunction Causing Multiple Issues

Had a similar electrical problem with my 2004 VW Polo last month. The headlight switch started acting up, causing unusual dimming and warning light issues. After inspection, the main culprit was a deteriorated wiring harness connecting to the light switch assembly. The repair involved replacing the complete headlight switch unit and rewiring the connections. This was not a minor issue since the faulty wiring could have led to more serious electrical problems or even a short circuit. The technician also found corroded terminals in the fuse box which needed cleaning. These electrical gremlins are common in VWs of this era. The symptoms match exactly what you describe, intermittent dimmer function and persistent warning lights. The repair requires specific diagnostic tools to test the electrical circuits. Would suggest checking the fuse box first, as sometimes loose connections there can cause similar symptoms. But given the age of your Lupo, its likely the light switch assembly needs replacement, just like my Polo did. This requires proper rewiring work and shouldnt be attempted without the right diagnostic equipment. This is definitely a job for a qualified technician with experience in VW electrical systems. The risk of causing additional electrical problems through DIY attempts is high.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the Polo. That definitely sounds similar to my Lupo issue. The car switch problems got worse over time, especially when the dashboard lights started flickering out of nowhere. The tail lights were also affected, which made me really nervous about driving at night. I had to get it fixed since these electrical problems can be dangerous. My question, do you remember roughly what you paid for the complete repair? And has everything been working properly since the switch replacement, or have you noticed any other electrical issues popping up?

Since getting the faulty light switch fixed last month, everything has worked perfectly with no recurring electrical problems. The dashboard lights and tail lights are functioning normally, and all warning indicators are behaving as they should. The total repair came to 95€, which covered fixing the cable and plug connection that was causing the intermittent issues. This was actually less expensive than I initially feared, given how the electrical problem had affected multiple systems. The mechanic found that the main issue was indeed the deteriorated connection to the dimmer switch, rather than needing a complete switch assembly replacement as first suspected. A thorough check of the fuse box during the repair showed no other underlying electrical problems. This kind of repair was definitely worth doing properly, trying to fix automotive switch issues yourself can lead to more serious electrical complications. My experience shows that once the faulty connections are properly repaired, these VW electrical gremlins typically dont return.

I finally took my Lupo to a mechanic after the headlight switch issues got worse. The automotive switch problems were similar to what you described, the connection had deteriorated and needed replacement. The total repair cost was 120€, which included a new light switch assembly and fixing some corroded wiring near the fuse box. The dashboard lights are now working perfectly, with no more unusual flickering or warning indicators staying on. The mechanic I found specializes in VW electrical problems and did a thorough job. He showed me the old damaged parts and explained how the faulty connections were causing all those issues. Really glad I got it fixed professionally instead of trying DIY solutions, the car now feels much safer to drive at night. Been driving for two weeks since the repair and everything is working as it should. Definitely worth getting it sorted properly. Thanks for sharing your experience, it helped me understand what needed fixing and gave me confidence to get it done right.