Headlight switch stuck

[CJW]

Hoping someone can help. The usual ‘push in, turn one stop clockwise, and pull towards you’ trick isn’t working for getting the headlight switch out.

I’ve tried every which way, gently, more or less rotation, giving it a wiggle [stop it] but it’s stuck as a stuck thing. I can’t get to the back of it through the small side panel, and can’t really get to it by taking the lower dash off.

Has anyone faced this before and how did you get out of it? Thank you.

 

[Robert]

Have you tried it this way?

 

[Pewt]

Same happened to me and you could see it had not been put back in straight at some point. You can take the lower dash panel off with the headlight switch in place and then i carefully used a Dremel to cut a piece of the plastic holder ring away. I was then able to get the switch out.....just replace the plastic switch holder, job done.

Iirc the plastic switch holder was around (make sure you are sat down for this !!) £90 from VW. I got one from a breaker for £24 delivered.

 

[CJW]

Have you tried it this way?

Yes. That’s how I’ve got it out in the past. Doesn’t work any more. Think the retracting lugs are stuck.

 

[CJW]

Same happened to me. You can take the lower dash panel off with the headlight switch in place and then i carefully used a Dremel to cut a piece of the plastic holder ring away. I was then able to get the switch out.....just replace the plastic switch holder, job done.

Iirc the plastic switch holder was around (make sure you are sat down for this !!) £90 from VW. I got one from a breaker for £24 delivered.

I thought there was a screw that’s only accessible once the switch assembly is out? Did you find a way to get the lower panel off without removing this screw?

 

[Pewt]

Yes there is a screw behind but after the ring is cut you can get the switch out and access the screw. The panel is not held in with the same screw that holds the light switch holder.

 

[CJW]

Yes there is a screw behind but after the ring is cut you can get the switch out and access the screw. The panel is not held in with the same screw that holds the light switch holder.

I see! Thank you very much. That’s a job for Saturday then.

 

[Pewt]

If you need any more help let me know and i can give you my number

 

[CJW]

If you need any more help let me know and i can give you my number

Thanks @Pewt - very kind of you.

 

[CJW]

Got the little cherub out. I call it some names.

Managed to stress the lower panel enough gently to get it off. Then I could pop the bezel out just enough to get a small screw driver in between the barrel and the bezel at the back of the assembly.

Moral of the story is be super extra careful when putting it in to make sure all the guides and tabs are aligned.

 

[Pewt]

Nice one mate .......i'll be honest i had the new one there and Dremel in hand so didn't even look to see if i could get out without breaking it.

 

[BoroBoy]

I am having the same problem reming the switch. Can I put some pliers on the switch and gently persuade the switch to free itself, or is this a " no no".

 

[jedkk]

I've had the same issue for a couple of years. It still works so I've just left it alone. I can hear something loose inside the switch when I turn it, plus a small spring dropped out. One to sort at some point I imagine.

 

[BoroBoy]

Trouble is I need it out now to get the lower dash panel back in, or cut the at the rotary switch.

 

[BoroBoy]

Got the little cherub out. I call it some names.

Managed to stress the lower panel enough gently to get it off. Then I could pop the bezel out just enough to get a small screw driver in between the barrel and the bezel at the back of the assembly.

Moral of the story is be super extra careful when putting it in to make sure all the guides and tabs are aligned.

Where did get the screwdriver in. Was it in the 6 o'clock position?

 

[CJW]

Where did get the screwdriver in. Was it in the 6 o'clock position?

Testing my memory here BoroBoy. I think I stressed the lower panel enough to be able to get the screwdriver in between the back of the switch assembly and the dash. So, from the side underneath.

 

[CJW]

Testing my memory here BoroBoy. I think I stressed the lower panel enough to be able to get the screwdriver in between the back of the switch assembly and the dash. So, from the side underneath.

Screwdriver went into either the big hole at the back or one of the smaller slots. How I managed to get access is lost to time I’m afraid. It did involve stressing a panel more than I was comfortable with, but it’s OK.

 

[dubber36]

Doesn't the end panel come off the side of the dash? The one on the Polo gets stuck so getting a hand in behind it to give it a push and a wiggle whilst pressing and turning the switch with the other hand does the job.