Passenger daytime running light

vwtom · February 13th, 2009, 17:50

I have been looking all over to find instructions on how to change the front daytime running lights on my 2004 Passat. I had them a few years ago and now I need them again, but I can't seem to find them. I would appreciate it if someone could post a link for them. Thanks.

vw4life · February 13th, 2009, 18:52

DRLs use your low beam bulb (behind the rubber boot) just look for the regular low beam change instructions...

(or are you talking about rewiring the DRLs to run on different bulbs?)

DickSilver · February 13th, 2009, 18:52

buy the Euro headlight switch:

http://www.eurodrivegear.com/Scripts...?idproduct=126

Install the new switch: I forget the details, but I think it is twist a little clockwise, just a little once it is turned all the way, and pull out.

Remove Relay 173. You can get to it thru the panel on the left end of the dashboard; it snaps out.

vw4life · February 13th, 2009, 22:34

oh, you are talking about re-enabling disabled DRLs?

There are a number of ways it could have been done:

1) Electrical tape on the pins on the back of the light switch
2) you removed relay 173- put it back in
3) third one escapes me..

compu_85 · February 13th, 2009, 23:25

Or are you talking about the small 5w bulb in the high beam housing?

-Jason

vwtom · February 14th, 2009, 06:56

I am referring to replacing the daytime running light bulb on the passenger side of a 2004 Passat. I finally figured out how to remove the bulb. I don't have as good of memory as I used to and I didn't want to break anything, but all went well.

Lug_Nut · February 14th, 2009, 07:59

There are two. To which are you referring: The bulb that also functions at full intensity as the low beam headlight, or to the small "peanut" bulb installed in the side of the reflector of the high beam lamp section?

CsTDI · January 14th, 2010, 07:51

I have a drivers side DRL that is out. I want to locate the bulb(s) before I get started. Couple of questions:

1)If one is out, is the other on its way out also? meaning, if one is out should you replace both at the same time or might the other side last for quite a while longer

2) what bulbs size and wattage is used for this bulb (the one behind the rubber boot).

3)is there a recommended brand for this bulb or should the durability and longevity for the different brands be similar?

3)is removal and install pretty straight forward?

Thanks!

Zambee500 · January 14th, 2010, 10:08

I've found that they typically go out at about the same time, and on my car they only last about a year. First time one went out on me, a VW "specialist" shop told me that it wasn't worth replacing them in pairs like you ordinarily do with halogen bulbs b/c the Passats pop headlight bulbs way faster than the ordinary life of a halogen bulb. So I replaced just the one that burned out and the second one went out within a couple weeks. A year later when the first one went out again, the second light went out before I could get to replacing the first one. I think it was actually the next day after I noticed the first one was out. Had no headlights at all! So I replaced both of them that time (obviously) and intend to always replace them in pairs in the future.

I tried putting dielectric grease on the connector tips this last time and they've lasted a bit longer than the first two sets did. I guess they're about due for blowing now, so we'll see if the dielectric grease helps any.

Here's a link to a link to a PDF how-to for replacement: http://home.comcast.net/~slashpub/info.html

Zambee500 · January 14th, 2010, 10:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by CsTDI

2) what bulbs size and wattage is used for this bulb (the one behind the rubber boot).

3)is there a recommended brand for this bulb or should the durability and longevity for the different brands be similar?

Forgot the other Qs. H7 55watt bulbs. I use the Sylvanias you can get at Pep Boys, Advance, AutoZone, etc. I went with SilverStars this last time. Much more light than standard H7, although this is supposed to be at the expense of life of the bulb. But I figure if bulbs are only lasting a year or so anyway in my car, then they're not going to make it the true expected life of the bulb anyway.

Pep Boys is running $10 rebate on 2-packs of SilverStar bulbs, and I think $15 or $20 rebate on 2-packs of SilverStar Ultra bulbs. Through January.

traubenberg · January 14th, 2010, 11:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by CsTDI

1)If one is out, is the other on its way out also?

2) what bulbs size and wattage is used for this bulb (the one behind the rubber boot).

3)is there a recommended brand for this bulb or should the durability and longevity for the different brands be similar?

4)is removal and install pretty straight forward?

1) I always replace them in pairs. There's really very little excuse not to.

2) Stock low-beam bulbs for the B5.5 Passat are H7.

3) While some want brighter light and buy Silverstars (I used to), there's a reason that they're brighter and burn out faster. They overdrive the filament, burn faster, burn more quickly. Instead of a set of H7 Silverstars running $40+ at the local Autozone, you can get entry-level HIDs for $55 shipped. (There's a well-respected member at Passatworld who sells VVME-brand kits.)

4) Removal and install are very straightforward.

CsTDI · January 15th, 2010, 06:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zambee500

Forgot the other Qs. H7 55watt bulbs. I use the Sylvanias you can get at Pep Boys, Advance, AutoZone, etc. I went with SilverStars this last time. Much more light than standard H7, although this is supposed to be at the expense of life of the bulb. But I figure if bulbs are only lasting a year or so anyway in my car, then they're not going to make it the true expected life of the bulb anyway.

Pep Boys is running $10 rebate on 2-packs of SilverStar bulbs, and I think $15 or $20 rebate on 2-packs of SilverStar Ultra bulbs. Through January.

ended up going with the Hella bulbs since my pepboys had run out of the Silverstars from the sale in H7 size. FWIW, Pepboys said the Silverstar bulbs have a manufacturer's 1 year warranty...