Volkswagon question...one of many...?

my taillight on my vw jetta gl 1996 is out the headlight is good but the little running light under it's out on the same side, the break lights work and the headlights work its just the taillight and the running light sorry don't know the name of it are out same side. we replaced bulbs we double checked to be sure they're the right kind many times and that doesn't seam to be the problem. what is this problem exactly and how do I fix it?

In the Volkswagen cars I owned, there are separate fuses for each headlamp, brake lights, turn signals, running lamps. You probably have a blown fuse in the left or right side running light circuit. You may have a bad turn signal switch, or emergency flasher switch. The running lamp circuit runs through all these, also.

They do tend to over fuse things, better safe, than sorry, I suppose.

You have to follow the bulb wires till you find the short. good luck. may need a mechanic to do this if you do not know how. 1st attempt some dielectric grease on the bulbs. you may be able to get it at your local auto parts store and the will tell you how to use it. Its worth a attempt for about five bucks.

It is a guess :
One of two problems:
1 check the fuse box and the lights fuses and relays
2 If the fuses are good, there's a chance that the wiring went defectuous along the way between the switch and the bulb base.