A bit of a weird problem here with my rapid 2014 1.2 TSI. Yesterday as I was about to drive off, I turned on the front headlights and they don’t work (was working fine 2hrs before)  the side lights and rear lights all work as does the main / flash beam (on flash mode) but not normal dipped mode. Oddly the interior heater / AC fan also now does not work. It previously only worked on 2 of the 4 settings. I have changed the ignition switch but still lights and fan will not work. Does anybody have any idea what this could be? I’ve checked fuses under the drivers side and are all fine. Any ideas or pointers would be greatly appreciated. 

A problem with one of  the relays that are supposed to switch off these items while, and only while, the starter motor is cranking the engine, I believe.

These relays are in position 4 and position 11b on the cabin relay carrier. 

 

Edited 20 November, 20241 yr by Breezy_Pete

Thankyou pete much appreciated I’ll have a look 

Any idea where the relay carrier is Pete? Many thanks 

Is there a removable panel somewhere below the light switch? 

 

Check cabin fuse 19, rated 7.5 Amp before doing anything else.

Does the car have start/stop? I'd guess not.

Hi Pete are you sure it’s relay 11b ? Or just relay 11 

Fuses are all good no stop/start on this model 

From what I remember of the relay panel layout, position 11 is subdivided into two half-width relay positions, labelled 11.1 and 11.2, or 11a and 11b? Not near a computer this second to double-check.

Got a photo of what you're finding?

Hi Pete and thankyou for your very helpful answers. My local garage has taken a look at this today. They have confirmed all fuses are ok. The ignition switch is also fine. There is no cover to open under the light switch for relays. By looking on other forums if the dashboard lights up when I turn the light switch on ( which it does) then the switch isn’t faulty  tomorrow I’ll test to see if there’s voltage getting to the lights to rule out dodgy bulb holder. I’m having trouble finding where the relay carrier is. It’s looking like I need to book car in with a specialist 

I'll have another look at wiring diags shortly. Should have a location for relay panel. 

Pete I really appreciate your help 

Position of cabin relay carrier in car for RHD vaguely indicated as 1 here, probably need to remove some lower dash trim from beneath the steering wheel to access.

 

Relay layout shown here, with 4 and 11b marked up by me:

 

Position 4 houses X contact relay J59, position 11b has X-contact relay 2, J339

 

The circuit diagram for these is a little strange, but as far as I can make out, the one in position 11b is energised when ignition is on, but not when cranking. This supplies one connection pole of the light switch which supplies the dipped beams, but also drives the coil of the other relay, in position 4, which powers both the blower motor and another connection of the light switch.   So if J339 in position 11b isn't working right, it will disable the dipped beams, and the other relay, supplying the blower. Maybe it has just become loose?

  

Fuse 19, that I suggest you double check, supplies the coil power to J339, when ignition switch is on (but not cranking).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You'll have to excuse my hieroglyphics. 

Pete I cannot thank you enough for this I will have a look on Saturday and keep you posted. You are an absolute diamond 

Hi , did you find the problem in the end , I have a rapid , same issue blower and DRL not working , will check those fuses also and may get a nrw ignition switch

Hi it was a relay behind the steering wheel. Undo the 2 screws holding the fuse box out and gently move the fuse box out the way just enough to see the relay panel. Please see Pete’s explanation below it was spot on. Many thanks hope you get it sorted

Fair play thanks for the pointer , I will report back and let you know what my issue was.