My 07 Golf has developed what I believe is an earth problem, a bulb symbol lit up in the warning lights in the clocks when I investigated there was a bulb not lit in the L/H/ tailight when I removed the unit the outer of the two bulbs was not working, when this was replaced with a new bulb it still did not light up I tried several bulbs none of which worked .
In desperation I switched everything off and looked in the handbook to see if it could be a fuse and where abouts they were found no fuses were blown so I switched the lights back on and found that the outer of the two bulbs was faintly lit and the warning sign was now off.
However when I removed and replaced the same bulb the light then stayed off until I switched off the lights and then switched them back on again when again it was still only faintly lit I now believe this is an earthing problem but could anyone tell me where this tail unit is earthed.
Jack

 

Are you sure your replaced the correct bulb types and checked the correct fuse types and connections?

 

Yes but I will check agai to be on the safe side.
I would like to know where the wiring is earthed to be able to see if there is a problem there with a possible corrosion issue.
My wife has just told me that the light swich flashed once when she turned the lights on maybe the fault could be in there.

 

They are normally earthed near the light unit just follow the brown wire.

 

Thanks for the info I will take a look .Jack

 

What was the result?

 

Never had time to take a look yet

 

Well I finally got the tail light working not sure what I did but at least its working with both bulbs illuminating.
With the switch on both bulbs were lit although the outer bulb was very dim I removed both bulbs and checked the wattage both bulbs were 21w.
I replaced both bulbs in original positions the outer bulb did not light up but the inner bulb did, I switched the lights off then switched back on the outer did light up but only just as if a bad earth.
I replaced the outer bulb with a new(21w) one it did not light up so switched the lights off and then back on both bulbs lit up correctly.
I still cant fathom out whats going on maybe it needs an exorcism performing on it

 

Huh. I actually am having the same issue right now with my 96 Cabrio, except for me, a few of the small bulbs on the left-hand side of the brake light strip aren't working as well. Interesting.