Volkswagen is a well known automotive brand, making quality economical and family cars, along with more performance oriented models such as the Golf GTI/Golf R. A crucial part of that quality, regardless of which type of vehicle from Volkswagen you choose, is upheld by the wiring harness. A wiring harness runs throughout the vehicle to transmit information and provide necessary electrical energy to various items (for example, the headlights or the radio). If the harness fails, you might experience intermittent issues with your Volkswagen or even be unable to start the car at all.

Causes and Symptoms of Wiring Harness Failure in Volkswagen

Unfortunately, parts wear out over time, and the wiring harness is not exempt from this rule. General wear and tear can cause the harness to fail in many ways. For example, the wires might get corroded, or damaged in some other way, such as cracking or crumbling. Over time, they can also grow more stiff, leading to problems in functioning normally. This wear can be accelerated by extreme weather conditions, such as hot days followed by cold nights. The rapid fluctuations in temperature are harsh on the wiring harness, leading to premature failure in some cases.

Luckily, there are several signs you might notice related to your wiring harness, giving you a heads up that something ought to be done with your Volkswagen.

• Battery problems: Your battery might be dead, despite not being old and therefore not being expected to die, or it can fail to maintain a charge when the vehicle is started, leading to the car simply shutting off.
• Electrical trouble: You might notice your headlights are dimmer than they used to be, or that either the head or tail lights fail to come on, despite not having old or dead lightbulbs. Additionally, other systems might work only sporadically, if at all, such as the radio.
• Ignition failure: Your ignition, which is responsible for starting the car, might not work. This could leave you stranded in a parking lot or store or rest stop on a busy freeway.

There are a few signs your Volkswagen’s wiring harness is failing, but these can also point to other issues. For example, the inability for a car’s battery to stay charged while the car is running could point to a problem with the alternator. Headlights not working could simply be due to bulbs burning out. A lack of ignition might be related to the ignition coils or spark plugs, and have nothing to do with wiring. In other words, proper diagnosis can be difficult, making it important to seek a well-qualified, reputable service center to inspect your Volkswagen.

Further, it is important to note that working on electrical systems without the proper training and equipment is dangerous, so you should always delegate such a task to those with the expertise and tools to do the job correctly and safely.

Masters European & Japanese Auto Repair for your Volkswagen’s Wiring Harness Failure

Masters European & Japanese Auto Repair is located in Mill Valley, California and also serves customers in the surrounding areas of Corte Madera, Larkspur, Sausalito, and Tiburon, CA. Our staff are ASE certified mechanics, with over 50 years of experience in both Japanese and European vehicles, including Volkswagen, so you can be confident your vehicle will receive the quality care and expertise it needs. All our work also comes with a 36-month/36,000-mile warranty.

We are the most sought out European and Japanese repair shop in the area. Check out our 5-star reviews with over 500 total reviews. Also be sure to check out our “specials” tab to see if there are any savings for you and your vehicle going on.

Please call (415) 383-2382 to schedule an appointment or use the form that can be found on our website. Our address is 111 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA 94941. We are open from Monday through Friday, 8:00AMto 5:00PM and are closed on weekends. We look forward to having you as a customer so we can prove to you why we are the preferred location for European automotive services and repairs. Allow us to earn your business today!