Hello folks,

I have a couple of (hopefully!) minor issues with 2008 TDi 1.9 (BXE) Elegance estate I've just acquired. Car has covered 104k miles, FSH up to 80k, and generally looks remarkably clean inside, outside and underneath. Issues are:

1). Front driver side fog light comes on when the headlights are switched on. Both front fog lights illuminate when the fog light switch is activated. I'm not sure where to start. Should I check wiring to all front lights? Buy a scanner and check for error codes?

2). Small cover on driver side of front bumper disappeared today (see pic). What is behind it - a sensor?? Does this need covering to protect from the elements? Is a replacement available separately, without having to buy a whole bumper?!

Many thanks.

I'd start by checking the wiring. Previous owner may have wired the fogs to come on with the headlights. You're probably aware it's an MoT failure if fitted and not functioning.

Missing cap if for the headlight washer jet.

They should activate every fifth use of the screen wash if memory serves. I'd try eBay or a local breakers yard. I think they're push/ clip fit.

1 hour ago, Brian Snail said:

Small cover on driver side of front bumper disappeared today

As Lee has mentioned it's a cover for the pop-up headlamp washer.

If you have problems finding one let me know as I have a complete bumper with washer covers in your grey - no longer any use to me as I have a Scout (different bumper).

On the facelift cars, the foglight is actually two different lamps - a foglight and the daylight driving lights in the same enclosure. It seems that drivers of many older makes of cars, not just VAG, have the foglights rewired to come on with the ignition to make them look modern. This is maybe what has happened to your car.

The law says that the driving lights must be OFF when the headlights are on and so it may be a MOT failure if your fog/sudeo driving lights are on.

Do the fog lights actually come on with headlights or just the dash symbol. Had foglight symbol on dash when headlights were on but fog lights as far as I can remember were off (cant actually remeber if I checked) until switched on. It turned out to be a bad connection at rear of cluster. I removed cluster and cleaned and reseated it. Had a few dim lights on dash as well including DPF. Same car as yours 1.9bxe so no dpf which made me think cluster was problem not wiring. If your removing cluster disconnect battery first.

Alasdair

Thanks to all for your replies.

Maybe a wierd lucky coincidence, but finding a pictorial guide to the dash panel fuse box, on the floor under the passenger seat today, led me to investigate that. There's obviously been some alterations (see attached), and one of the added connectors was loose. Testing again after reseating that and the lights are now behaving themselves! There is an after-market reversing camera fitted - but no screen. There are also two live USB leads in the dash-top storage compartment. So I wonder if the fuse box alterations could be linked to either of those?

Re. missing cover. Retracting washers are far too advanced for me! Previous car was Octy Mk1 with fixed washers on bumper. Now I know what to search for, eBay has thrown up possibilities. A couple of UK sellers have them for under a tenner a pair - unpainted. So I just need to find the right paint.

Thank you again for all the help.