About Rocky Racoon Expertise Most questions that relate to interior, and exterior equipment removal, and re-installation. Also, mechanical repairs of the engine, and the axles, and the brakes.
Experience 35 years auto repair experience. 3 years specifically Volkswagen. 10 years ago, graduated from general technical college. Deans list graduate. One of several hundred, out of several thousand to compete, and win recognition within Volkswagen for knowledge, and excellence.
Expert: Rocky Racoon Date: 10/31/2007 Subject: After battery jump, no tail lights!
Question I own a 1998 Volkswagen Passat. Recently the battery died and I had to have the car jumped to start it. As it was after dark,I was informed by a fellow motorists that my tail lights were out, but I did have brake lights. The tail lights were working before the jump start. I've replaced the battery, checked every fuse (none out), checked the bulbs (all working), and inspected the tail light housing (all wires connected, absolutely no corrosion). Also, if the engine is turned off, but I've yet to pull the key out of the ignition and I depress the brake pedal, the warning buzzer goes off. Any ideas of what it could be?
Answer These lights are on fuse. There was a surge through the cars' electrical system, and that fuse took the brunt of it. Did you have a foot on the brake pedal while starting? A new fuse should cure your issue. Hope this helps.
Hello again Wes;
If you would use a test light to check the fuses, you will find the one that is causing the trouble. Simply attach the test light alligator clip to a good ground close to the fuse panel on the drivers side of the car, and then with the test tip touch BOTH sides of the fuse to ensure that power is available on both side of it(input, and output). If this does not bear fruit, then there is a relay, behind the fuse panel, that has a burned pair of contacts in it. I can't remember, off hand which relay it is, but there is information in the "Bentley's" repair manual specific to your car which should be able to guide you to this part. Finally, there may be another root cause, and this is not likely, but possible. Even though the brake lights work, the brake light switch, at the pedal may be causing this. There have been numerous other problems with other models...GTI's, Beetles, Jetta's, etc....with brake light switches, and I know the switch is involved with engine control, cruise control, brakes(obviously), and it's "hot" side derives power from the rear lighting circuit/fuse. I hope this is a more carefully read answer.
