VW Sharan Light Switch Malfunction Drains Wallet

Had the same electrical issues on a 2014 VW Touran 2.0 TDI. The dashboard lights and tail lights would flicker intermittently, especially during cold starts. The first diagnosis pointed to the light switch, but the actual problem was more complex. After testing the circuits, found corroded wiring connections near the dimmer switch assembly. Water had seeped in through a deteriorated grommet behind the headlight control module. The repair involved replacing the entire lighting control module harness and resealing the connection points. It was a serious electrical issue that could have led to complete lighting failure if left unaddressed. The corrosion had already started affecting other electrical components. My suggestion: Get a proper electrical diagnostic test done. These VW lighting system issues often trace back to wiring problems rather than just the switch itself. Verify the shop has experience with VW electrical systems since there are multiple connection points that need checking. A qualified technician should check: Main light switch connections, Dimmer switch wiring, Control module harness, Ground connections, Water ingress points around lighting components

Thanks for sharing your experience with the VW electrical problem. Very helpful info about checking the wiring and connections. Had my Sharan fixed about 2 months ago and curious if you remember what you paid for the complete repair? Seems a lot of shops charge differently for electrical diagnostic work. Also wondering if everything has been working properly since the fix or if you noticed any other electrical issues with the dashboard lights or automotive switches?

Got good news to share, after dealing with similar electrical problems in my VW Touran, everything has worked flawlessly since the repair. The headlight switch and all lighting controls function perfectly now with no more flickering or unusual activation issues. The total repair came to 95€, which covered fixing a faulty cable connection in the lighting control module. Much more reasonable than initial quotes from other shops. The key was finding a mechanic who properly diagnosed the electrical problem instead of just replacing parts. The fuse box and all dashboard lights have worked normally since the fix, no additional electrical issues in the past year. It was definitely worth getting the proper diagnostic work done to pinpoint the exact connection problem rather than guessing at the cause. Important tip: A complete electrical system check during repair helps prevent related issues from developing later. In my case, the tail lights and other circuits were tested to ensure no other wiring problems existed.

Thanks everyone for your input. I took my Sharan to a different mechanic last week who specializes in VW electrical systems. The issue turned out to be corroded wiring near the headlight switch, similar to what others mentioned. Total repair cost was 280€ including full diagnostic testing. More than the previous quote but they actually fixed the problem. The mechanic showed me the damaged wiring and explained how water had gotten into the connection point. All the dashboard lights and switches are working perfectly now, no more unusual flickering or electrical problems. They also checked the entire lighting system to prevent future issues. Glad I switched to a shop that knew what they were doing with these VW electrical problems. Going to keep an eye on it, but so far everything is working as it should. Definitely worth paying a bit more for proper diagnosis and repair rather than just throwing parts at the problem.