jekl843
Well-known member
PSA/TLDR: If you have an 00, 01, 02 Golf or Jetta and haven't done the Hazard Light Switch Recall... DO IT NOW https://repairpal.com/recall/04V584000
I freaked out this morning when my 5spd 02 Jetta w/ 235k starting smoking out of the vents/hazard light switch area on the dash. I smoke cigs and thought, "did I accidentally ash in the vent and its catching on the foam?" With my mind jumping to the Station Nightclub Fire, I quickly pulled over (almost running a guy off the road, really sorry dude!) and could see more smoke and the orange glow of fire coming from behind the hazard light switch. In full-blown panic mode, and also wondering why cars don't come with fire extinguishers, I blew on it as hard as I could before I suffocated the fire by covering the vents/switch with my T-shirt.
After I was convinced the fire had been put out, I pulled out the hazard switch, took it apart, and lo and behold found the source of the fire. Fortunately I was quick and savvy enough that the flames never breached the dash and there appears to be no damage other than the damage to the switch itself. Of course, the indicators and hazards aren't working until I get another switch.
I did a quick search online and see there is a recall on the hazard switch for all 00, 01, 02 Golfs and Jettas, but what in the actual f*** VW and Previous Owner?!?!? I still love your TDIs, but can you please try not to burn me alive!!
Needless to say, I think it was lucky that it happened to me instead of someone who knows very little about cars because I feel like that could have spread into a full-on inferno (which I thought it would!!). Hell, I'm lucky it didn't happen while I left my car running when grabbing a drink or pack of smokes from a gas station!
Looks like TDIClubs photo section isn't working right now, but here's a link to what my hazard switch looks like
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aJe-JdE5I_HJu2AqP9wNaSXaTwqhC5du/view
I freaked out this morning when my 5spd 02 Jetta w/ 235k starting smoking out of the vents/hazard light switch area on the dash. I smoke cigs and thought, "did I accidentally ash in the vent and its catching on the foam?" With my mind jumping to the Station Nightclub Fire, I quickly pulled over (almost running a guy off the road, really sorry dude!) and could see more smoke and the orange glow of fire coming from behind the hazard light switch. In full-blown panic mode, and also wondering why cars don't come with fire extinguishers, I blew on it as hard as I could before I suffocated the fire by covering the vents/switch with my T-shirt.
After I was convinced the fire had been put out, I pulled out the hazard switch, took it apart, and lo and behold found the source of the fire. Fortunately I was quick and savvy enough that the flames never breached the dash and there appears to be no damage other than the damage to the switch itself. Of course, the indicators and hazards aren't working until I get another switch.
I did a quick search online and see there is a recall on the hazard switch for all 00, 01, 02 Golfs and Jettas, but what in the actual f*** VW and Previous Owner?!?!? I still love your TDIs, but can you please try not to burn me alive!!
Needless to say, I think it was lucky that it happened to me instead of someone who knows very little about cars because I feel like that could have spread into a full-on inferno (which I thought it would!!). Hell, I'm lucky it didn't happen while I left my car running when grabbing a drink or pack of smokes from a gas station!
Looks like TDIClubs photo section isn't working right now, but here's a link to what my hazard switch looks like
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aJe-JdE5I_HJu2AqP9wNaSXaTwqhC5du/view
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