I have a 98 2.8qm, and my headlight switch has broken again for the third time. I'm sick of tearing apart my steering column to fix that damn plastic piece. Is there a way to prevent this from happening again? I'm considering drastic measures, like wiring my headlights directly to the battery. Any ideas or suggestions?

 

Buy a new and not used switch? If you break it again in the rest of the life of your car you're doing something wrong.

 

It's already directly wired. I've been meaning to write up a DIY for installing relays so that switch current (a few mA) rather than lamp current (several A) goes through the switch, which will drastically reduce the heat and lengthen the lifespan of the switch. I'll do it soon.

 

I didn't use a different switch, I repaired the crappy piece of plastic at fault. Not replacing my whole steering column because of a crappy design.

And thanks Devil, I found your parking light solution, which will definitely do for now. That relay solution will be great too, I know I'm not alone with this problem, the previous owner had it too and I see its a common problem across the model. Thanks!

 

I have a 1997 A4 with the headlight switch problem. Does anyone have a recommendation of someone in Atlanta, GA to fix?

 

Its super easy to diy, but its time consuming. If you don't wanna spend the hour or two repairing it, you could buy a new combination switch for IIRC $80 cheapest (the Autozone I work in sells it for $140!). If you take it to a shop though theyll likely only put in a new switch, not repair the old one.

 

Heres a crafty idea. Get a pinout (or trace wires) fidn the ones that hit the headlight relay. tap a switch into it im thinking of doing this. switches are fun. because racecar

 

There's no headlight relay. That's why the switches melt down - headlight current is being drawn through them. Adding a relay and a switch would be easy (it's a DIY I've been meaning to write for about two years now). Best bet - post up in the southeast regional forum asking for someone local to you to either do the repair or recommend someone to do it for you.

 

well what dick head didn't think a headlight relay was a good idea

 

Yeah it's a serious oversight, drawing several amps through little copper contacts embedded in plastic.