Interior lights

[bob_m_uk]

Hi all

Most of my interior lights stopped working around 8 months ago
(only footwell lights come on when I open a door, overhead lights work when their buttons are pressed but not when the door opens, etc).

I've found some really useful threads on this forum (and was horrified to see how common a problem that it is!), but they're mainly to do with how to stop the leaks from the pollen filter (rotodiesel's page :: .:: WeirdLittleBiscuit dot Com ::. .:: Fixing Passat Leak ::. :: is great!).

Thing is, I've never noticed damp carpets, so I'm guessing my cause is general dampness from humidity etc. Anyway, it looks like I need to repair that damn under-carpet wiring node. Does anyone have a quick FAQ/guide/whatever on how to do it?

I'm handy enough with a soldering iron but have no idea where I need to pull the carpet up... can you just cut a carpet section away if you know the exact area you're dealing with? Or do you have to pull the whole thing up? Is it hard work to get the carpet seated properly after you're done?

Also, when I disconnect the battery to do the job will there be any nasty side effects like the radio requiring a code or anything?

Any help on this greatly appreciated!!
(and this forum's the best find I've had on the internet for years!!)

Bob

[rotodiesel]

OK Bob, here you go:

VW Passat Comfort Control Module harness repair | HeadFUZZ

I've just remembered, there's a funny with this link. If you want to access the text on the RHS of the pictures, my method is to click on the first visible fragment of text, then Edit - select all - copy. Then paste it into a blank word page and you'll get the lot. Maybe some computer guru out there has a better way but it does work.

Are all VAG problem water leakers red cars? If so, there's hope for mine...

rotodiesel.

[bob_m_uk]

You, sir, are a star!
Thanks for the link... If I'm lucky I'll have time to do it over the bank holiday - though I'm tempted to get a VAG-COM cable first (tho not a requirement for the job) so might have to wait for delivery.

Thanks again! I'll post back with the experiences of a novice-amateur's attempt at the fix.

[rotodiesel]

Bob, as I'm planning to do the same job as a precautionary measure (no problems yet) this Summer, I'd really appreciate a write up so that I know what to expect. Did you manage to read the text?

It's such a shame the Superb inherited all the Passat defects. The car is good value and well assembled but to produce a re-badged version in a different factory without correcting ANY of the design faults is criminal.

rotodiesel.

[bob_m_uk]

Yeah no problem - I'll document the job with pictures (how did I *ever* do DIY without a digital camera? and anything that deviates from the guide I'll highlight.

The text in the link seems completely readable in Internet Explorer and Firefox... maybe it's been updated since you last looked at it?

Agreed - the Superb really lives upto it's name; faults like this are such a shame as they could have been so easily avoided! At least this is the only problem I've had... well, there's the whistle coming from the passenger door at 50+mph but I'm sure that's just a seal!!