Lights come on when car is parked and off in cold weather

Asked by Sheannco Nov 19, 2014 at 12:42 AM about the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta SE

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 2010 jetta, the outside lights headlights and trunk light come on when it is really
cold outside and the car is parked. It has been checked out by VW, but they can't find
anything. They've kepts it overnight and did not find the issue. They finally replaced the
light switch; however, that has not solved the problem. Any ideas of what may be going
on?

13 Answers

45,165

sounds like a bad tempature sensor or possibly a relay is defective and responding to the cold. Is it only the lights that come on or does anything else turn on aka does the car start can you hear things running aka fans or heater or stereo? This can also be a problem with the alarm system in the car.

2 people found this helpful.
40

I have a 2011 jetta and ahe same thing is happening. Today, the temp dropped to 16 degrees at 1am and I looed oitside and my lights were on. I went out and started the car and let it run for a minute, turned the car off and they went out. Checked again around 3pm and they were back on. This has happened several times before and I had to call AAA to start the battery 2 times. No ome knows whats wrong.

4 people found this helpful.
45,165

I checked out a few links and seems some one had an issue the same thing. There problem was moisture freezing in the dash unit. If you can get vw to check this out it may be covered. the water when it frove was expanding and triping the switch.

1 people found this helpful.

Thanks. I'll see if that works. Each time I take it to the dealership they keep it for days only to tell me there is no issue. Since VW has not issued an alert on it, the technicians don't know what to do.

45,165

tell them you suspect that some water or condensation may have built up in your dash unit and you want them to check it out tell them you found an fourm link to a simalur issue and direct um to the link if they ask for it. my other pc seems to get different search results from google but you can direct them to this link.

1 people found this helpful.
50

2nd time it happened to me. 2011 Jetta TDI. This time it killed the battery. Temp. outside around zero F. Having it towed to dealer. 128,000 Miles.

2 people found this helpful.
45,165

Likely cause is the light switch if your problem is a light issue. there is a running defect with the 2011 -2013 modals head light switches. It collects moisture during warmer weather then during cold weather the water expands and pulls the contacts away from the switch plates. the following video should tell you how to remove the switch and you can check it yourself if you like. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v-RKI5X5Zw

11 people found this helpful.
50

I had it happen again...14F last night and lights came on. while running car to recharge battery, found that just touching the headlight switch, the low lights come on. I mean just barely touching the switch while it is in off position blinks lights, and interior lights on dash while car and switch are in the off position. This problem is a cheap crap headlight switch from VW. Replacing it with genuine VW parts won't do any good cause they won't change the design of the switch, if they don't do proper cold weather testing. Cheap VW crap. Time to trade up to a Toyota!

1 people found this helpful.
45,165

get the dealer to replace the part. Bring in your receipt and complain its defective. they should swap it for another in such a short time.

10

I have a 2011 Jetta 2.0 with the same issue. Just replaced battery and light switch but I’m not confident the problem is fixed.

1 people found this helpful.

Same problem here, 2012 jetta. It 26 degrees Fahrenheit and it's done it....AGAIN. I replaced the battery a couple of months ago due to the battery being sucked of its juice because of this issue.

I have a 2012 beetle and my lights have been having the same Iasue for the past 3 winters. This winter was extremely bad being negative for weeks. I just got a new battery a few weeks ago, and woke up this weekend to my headlights on both saturday and sunday! I have also taken my car in- they kept it for 3 days and can not figure out the light issue- instead just put in a new battery for it to kill! I am so glad i found this post- i know my car is not a jetta, but it is doing the same thing as all these other peoples cars. Im happy to finally maybe offer something for the mechanics to look at. Has anyone taken theirs in offering this issue? And what was the outcome?

2012 jetta doing the same thing when it gets cold, I will try to replace or manipulate the switch to see if it stops

Your Answer:

Jetta

Looking for a Used Jetta in your area?

CarGurus has 1,946 nationwide Jetta listings starting at $2,495.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Deathjam4
    Reputation
    12,330
  • #2
    Goodwrench707
    Reputation
    5,400
  • #3
    Ed92626
    Reputation
    4,630
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Volkswagen Passat
17 Great Deals out of 502 listings starting at $3,500
Used Honda Civic
190 Great Deals out of 4,208 listings starting at $2,916
Used Volkswagen Jetta GLI
3 Great Deals out of 217 listings starting at $8,990
Used Honda Accord
59 Great Deals out of 1,026 listings starting at $2,995
Used Toyota Camry
44 Great Deals out of 1,140 listings starting at $3,900
Used Volkswagen Golf
39 Great Deals out of 551 listings starting at $4,495
Used Toyota Corolla
137 Great Deals out of 2,258 listings starting at $3,495
Used Volkswagen Tiguan
68 Great Deals out of 2,599 listings starting at $3,988
Used Hyundai Elantra
143 Great Deals out of 3,056 listings starting at $3,300
Used Nissan Altima
32 Great Deals out of 714 listings starting at $654
Used Volkswagen Golf GTI
23 Great Deals out of 593 listings starting at $6,898
Used Mazda MAZDA3
82 Great Deals out of 1,272 listings starting at $2,966
Used Chevrolet Malibu
46 Great Deals out of 1,132 listings starting at $2,995
Used Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen
3 listings starting at $8,500
Used BMW 3 Series
66 Great Deals out of 1,237 listings starting at $3,995

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.