2003 A4 Jetta Instrument Lights Go Out

[sootwagen]

I've got a 2003 Jetta wagon that had problems with the instrument lights randomly going out. This was fixed by the dealer under warranty. The dealer said a bad ground was repaired, but didn't indicate where the bad ground was. Now a friend's 2003 Jetta is doing the same thing. Does anyone know which ground is the one for the instrument lights, and where I could find it? We tried replacing the headlight switch, but no joy.

 

[kirmet]

Which Lights, Mine all work except for the heat/ac fan controls. the console requires a firm slap to the side to get them to come on.

 

[sootwagen]

The instrument panel itself goes dark.

I believe the A/C controls you are referring to have the little bulb inside that burns out all too frequently.

 

[TheWheel]

I had that problem about 2 years ago, and it was 3 corroded grounds underneath of the battery. I used a wire brush to clean them, sprayed over top with a gasket sealer to delay the inevitable corrosion and everything was all good until recently...

Guess what I'm doing tomorrow!

Does anyone have a more permanent fix?