Replacing brake light

[dlm2310]

Just had a brake light go on me and was surprised to read in the handbook that you have to unscrew the whole unit rather than simply go in from the side of the boot.

Not got round to it yet but has anyone else done it and is it easy ?

 

[robint]

Very easy to do - lift tailgate - there are two screws in the rain gutter, recessed but easy to get at and an obvious 'nut' inside the car - hidden behind the pull off panel. Should take only a few minutes, but be careful when you pop the light unit out that it dosn't drop against the paintwork and scratch it.

 

[carly]

Just had a brake light go on me and was surprised to read in the handbook that you have to unscrew the whole unit rather than simply go in from the side of the boot.

Not got round to it yet but has anyone else done it and is it easy ?

lol whats it on ibiza? if so u need a big long screwdriver you need and did to clip holding the light in

 

[dlm2310]

lol whats it on ibiza? if so u need a big long screwdriver you need and did to clip holding the light in

An Altea, hence why I have posted on this forum

Thanks anyway guys, much appreciated.

Know where the screws are, just thought it a bit wierd having to take the unit out.

 

[googies]

It's simple enough, had to do mine last month. Nut on inside is on a tether too, so cant drop into the depths of the panel.

 

[CrispDust]

It is a bit of a weird one compared to most cars, but at least you can clean the paintwork of grime underneath the light unit.
The inside nut in the plastic spinner sometimes slips and it needs supergluing back in.

 

[dlm2310]

Thanks all, did it yesterday and took 5 mins but agree it is a weird way about going about things !!!!

 

[boab2791]

My brake light is out too and I have been trying to replace it.

The manual does not descibe the issue very clearly, at least not to me!

I have removed the two screws in the rain gutter but for the life of me I can't figure out how to loosen the big white plastic thing, I feel there is very little room to turn it.

Now I maybe trying to turn something that can't get turned, would appreciate any tips /tricks to remove the light cluster.

Cheers

Rob

 

[Toxic]

I found mine went a while back, only one bulb for Brakelight/rear tail light. it also only has one filament, which is strange. so if the filament goes, you losse tail and brake light.

 

[boab2791]

Can you advise how to remove the unit so I can replace the bulb, I'm obviously being a bit thick here but the manual is none to clear.

 

[dlm2310]

Can you advise how to remove the unit so I can replace the bulb, I'm obviously being a bit thick here but the manual is none to clear.

All you need to do turn the white plastic thing, don't be afraid if it is fiddly, the screw cant drop as it is fixed by a plastic line.

Once you've done that and if the screws on the tailgate are out then it will pop out.

Looked daunting for me at first but it was easy

 

[boab2791]

All you need to do turn the white plastic thing, don't be afraid if it is fiddly, the screw cant drop as it is fixed by a plastic line.

I tried to turn the thing last night and it won't budge, there ain't much room to get my hand in to do this and my hands ain't that big. I am doing the RHS, the LHS has more space but equally so the plastic knob would not turn.

Just so we are clear the plastic knob is a piece of plastic with hollow rectangles in it and what looks like a screw head is resessed in the middle of it.

The manual does say placeing a screw driver under the screw may help, put it where though.

 

[dlm2310]

I tried to turn the thing last night and it won't budge, there ain't much room to get my hand in to do this and my hands ain't that big. I am doing the RHS, the LHS has more space but equally so the plastic knob would not turn.

Just so we are clear the plastic knob is a piece of plastic with hollow rectangles in it and what looks like a screw head is resessed in the middle of it.

The manual does say placeing a screw driver under the screw may help, put it where though.

Your description of it is correct.

Mine was a bit stiff but I gave it a bit of welly and it loosened up. There is no way you can get a screw driver in to loosen the head.

Maybe try a bit of WD 40 ?

 

[CrispDust]

The nut is embedded in the white plastic ring. Mine have burred and wont grip the nut. This maybe the problem. Either glue it back on when you've managed to remove it or pop plastic off each time and use a small spanner....

 

[neilmac]

Guys..Im about to replace this as well and I tried to do it yesterday before looking on here. I have to say I was shocked to say the least how poor the 'design' of this was...not upto your usual VAG standard and once I saw the seat logo on the plastic on the inside of the tail light I thought...oh no. Removing tail lights with screwdrivers Ive only ever heard of before on a ford capri....anyhow that aside...Im still a little confused so before I bust the tail light. Undoing the two screws that hold the tail light to the rear - no probs. Its inside Im confused. Theres two phillips screws and theres a white piece of plastic that looks like a knob. Reading this I think I need to leave the phillips screws in place? and then turn the plastic piece by hand? or is there a nut inside the plastic that I have to cut my hands up some more getting to?

Any help appreciated on this over complicated simple bulb change. :O)

 

[Fl@pper]

nearly all the marques are using this style now as it means less chance of a leak from a large hole and also means a stronger body with smallholes too

sadly nearly all of them use the nut in a plastic knob routine too to try and make it a by hand operation but they don't last 5 mins especially when 1st time they are on so freaking tight

usually attack em with pliers and if they loosen off break em up and get a spanner out

 

[neilmac]

nearly all the marques are using this style now as it means less chance of a leak from a large hole and also means a stronger body with smallholes too

sadly nearly all of them use the nut in a plastic knob routine too to try and make it a by hand operation but they don't last 5 mins especially when 1st time they are on so freaking tight

usually attack em with pliers and if they loosen off break em up and get a spanner out

Its probably sour grapes on my part from my cut hands trying to figure it out yesterday! Cheers for the help...still got to locate a socket I dropped in there yet.... :O)

 

[Fl@pper]

ahh that's where the stuffed in oily rag come's in handy

nearly every rear light i have done yet has involved dropping something at some point so always stuff a rag in the deep holes

 

[neilmac]

ahh that's where the stuffed in oily rag come's in handy

nearly every rear light i have done yet has involved dropping something at some point so always stuff a rag in the deep holes

Its after the horse has bolted for me but good advice for next time.

 

[tonyhallam]

I had a problem unscrewing one of the white plastic thingies that hold the rear lights in and found a mini 10mm socket did the job....when replacing the light, only hand tighten... so its easy to get off next time