[Vwdiesel] headlight switch

[Steve Boser]

Hi

If you can see something glowing behind the headlight switch, it's most likely the dashlight dimmer rheostat that's drawing too much current. The dimmer is a wire wound resistor that can handle enough current to dim the bulbs in the instrument panel, if its glowing its drawing too much current, replacing it without finding the cause might only ruin the new one. Also if there's a short causing enough current to make the rheostat glow, you probably have a fire hazard. 
My suggestion before replacing parts is to attempt to locate the short. It maybe as easy as the wire to the ashtray light is shorting. 
Also the headlights and dimmer portion of the switch are two separate circuits so relays won't help with dimming the dash lights, but will make for brighter head lights and a longer lasting head light switch.
Hope this helps, be safe

Steve 

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