Major headlight switch issues.

[DanH]

The dash illumination in my 'rocco hasn't been working for ages, it ceased functioning a few months ago after I blew a fuse whilst changing the cigarette lighter socket. I've changed the fuse since. Felt a click in the dimmer switch around the same time.

I changed the bulbs in the instrument cluster but that didn't solve the problem, took the switch out and It looks/feels broken, something looks snapped inside the dimmer bit and there's no resistance on the wheel either.

Ordered a new switch from vw heritage, pins all matched up, part number is the same, plugged it in, and as soon as the ignition was turned on it promptly started smoking like it was about to burst into flames and totally melted the white/blue wire coming out the top of the switch behind the dimmer part. New switch now smells of burnt plastic and the dimmer bit is jammed.

Can anyone cast any light on what might be going on cos I've got absolutely no idea!

[Nate]

the pins on the back of the switch should have numbers on them, which identify what they are. are your pins marked the same?

i'd guess that what is happening is you have a wiring fault and/or incorrect switch, so when you turn it on you are creating a short.