DLR Bulb Problem - new bulb not working

YorkshireCali · Sep 27, 2023

Hi All

The bulb warning light came on a few days ago, turned out to be the drivers side DLR bulb (I believe I have H7 headlights).

Bought a new bulb, installed, still won't work. Incidentally the old bulb doesn't look blown.

I noticed that the holder looks a bit melted around one contact, and similarly around the socket. I've attached photos to try and show this.

I read that this can happen as the DLRs can get hot when always on - and one recommendation to clean up the contact tabs, pull them out slightly and reseat the bulb. This hasn't worked.

I'm worried that the headlight itself is to blame as the socket looks suspect.

Anyone ever had this problem before? I'm resigned to the fact that I may have to take the headlight out to properly inspect- I've read this is a bumper-off job - any advice?

flying banana · Sep 27, 2023

assuming the dlr works at the other side, swap the bulbs over to prove the bulb. new bulbs can be duff, also try the bulb holder on the other side.

Alan Andrews · Sep 27, 2023

When my Cali Ocean 2017 had its last service in March, I was told that VW had been made aware of a recall (or technical notice) on certain Cali's for the DLR light loom.

One of my DLR was not working. They did try to get me to pay £200'ish for a replacement, but I objected and it was done under goodwill by VW Birmingham.

The recall (or technical notice) was specifically about the loom overheating and causing the DLR to fail.

I cannot see what year your Cali is, but it might be worth a call to VW.

YorkshireCali · Sep 27, 2023

Thanks

flying banana said:
assuming the dlr works at the other side, swap the bulbs over to prove the bulb. new bulbs can be duff, also try the bulb holder on the other side.

Thanks, ran out of day light tonight to inspect the passenger side - will try that next. Passenger side dlr works fine.

YorkshireCali · Sep 27, 2023

Alan Andrews said:
When my Cali Ocean 2017 had its last service in March, I was told that VW had been made aware of a recall (or technical notice) on certain Cali's for the DLR light loom.

One of my DLR was not working. They did try to get me to pay £200'ish for a replacement, but I objected and it was done under goodwill by VW Birmingham.

The recall (or technical notice) was specifically about the loom overheating and causing the DLR to fail.

I cannot see what year your Cali is, but it might be worth a call to VW.

Thanks Alan, I'll need to update my profile. It's a 2016 Cali, so no warranty sadly. I've just read an old post about this issue - seems to be well known that the socket can over heat. To me it looks like the headlight might also be suspect now, but I won't know for sure until I get chance to swap the bulb holders around.

WelshGas · Sep 27, 2023

YorkshireCali said:
Thanks Alan, I'll need to update my profile. It's a 2016 Cali, so no warranty sadly. I've just read an old post about this issue - seems to be well known that the socket can over heat. To me it looks like the headlight might also be suspect now, but I won't know for sure until I get chance to swap the bulb holders around.

VW have an upgraded DLR bulb holder that has to be wired and soldered to replace the damaged one. Headlight out job I’m afraid.

YorkshireCali · Sep 27, 2023

Thanks WelshGas - it's actually in VW for a service on Friday, will be interesting to see what they say..

YorkshireCali · Sep 27, 2023

Can anyone confirm if the DLR holder 'repair kit' (7E0998953) just needs to be wired into the two grey wires beneath the DLR socket? I assume so... seems straightforward enough but hard to see properly given the lack of space!

Perfectos · Sep 28, 2023

For completeness & to help others,
I think this is the thread referred to In Your previous post (posted in your other thread ).

H7 DRL Bulb Issue. Be Aware

I'd been having an intermittent fault with the off side DRL for a while. As soon as I put my fingers on the bulb holder, it would turn back on for a short time. However, eventually it packed up altogether. So I removed it and discovered this.... The contacts were blackened and the plastic...

www.t6forum.com

YorkshireCali · Sep 28, 2023

Thanks Perfecto. I'm hoping it's as simple as wiring in the new holder to the two grey wires shown above, being careful to keep the wires on the correct sides as I believe polarity difference can effect the bulb colour / brightness.

But it would be good if to hear if anyone has done this repair themselves - I don't want to pay VW £200 for something that a) appears to be a manufacturer design flaw b) seems like such a simple fix

BristolCali · Sep 28, 2023

I have an intermittent problem with mine but the bulb holder isn’t melted. If I remove and replace it always works but goes again a few weeks later. There is a lot of info on the T6 Forum but the searching function isn’t great.

YorkshireCali · Sep 28, 2023

My van is in VW for a service tomorrow... I don't intend to mention the DLR and will see what is said about it, assuming it's spotted during the service!

YorkshireCali · Sep 29, 2023

So my van was in with VW for a service today - I didn't mention the faulty DLR. They picked it up on the inspection and I received an automated update along with a price to repair.. nice surprise :-/

The price initially started at £216, but then it was updated to reflect the 'correct' time for the job - total price just over £300! I asked why so much - they initially explained it was a ;bumper off and headlight out' job, but then also said they have found various ways to fix the DLR without removing the headlight... so why £300 then when the part is around £30!

I'll be ordering the repair kit and fixing it myself...

Brianandjoy · Sep 29, 2023

My dlr is the same ,melted contacts and not working,as it’s not an mot failure as the van is too early I think we will leave it as it is

YorkshireCali · Oct 9, 2023

Just to close this thread - my driver side DLR has been repaired and is working again.

I've attached a few photos. The fix is fairly easy - took me around 45 mins, and the part which is £38. No idea where VW got their £300 price from and assertion that the bumper would need to come off and headlight out - there was no need to do this.

I firstly snipped the two wires which go beneath the DLR socket as shown in the red circle.

I put a piece of insulation tape on one of the wires so I could match up the correct side to the new wired holder. I then did an initial temporary fix just to test the light worked OK.

I then did a final fix using a couple of butt crimps. The hardest bit is the lack of space to work, and the short wires you are trying to connect to.

Satisfied with an easy repair and +£250 saved!

Perfectos · Oct 9, 2023

Great job,

glad you got it sorted

to help others can you post the bulb holder part number and where you got it from.

YorkshireCali · Oct 9, 2023

No problem - the part is 7E0998953. I ordered mine from ebay as all the websites I checked were non-UK and charging crazy P&P prices (£18 to post!). The place I bought mine is now out of stock, but there are others on ebay for a little more than I paid:

VW TRANSPORTER T6 Front DRL Running Light Bulb Holder 7E0998953 NEW OEM | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for VW TRANSPORTER T6 Front DRL Running Light Bulb Holder 7E0998953 NEW OEM at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

Perfectos · Oct 9, 2023

From the listing : (auction listings have a habit or being removed after a period of time rendering the link unusable)

VW TRANSPORTER T6 Front DRL Running Light Bulb Holder 7E0998953 NEW OEM