How do I remove third brake light?

[NigelPatrick]

I tried searching before posting this and can't find out on YouTube or Google or even on here, how to professionally or safely remove the third/ auxiliary brake light... I am trying to remove it because it needs cleaning... a lot of dirt in there which is causing one of the LEDs to be dim.

 

[NigelPatrick]

How come no one knows how to do this?

 

[BillyCool]

From what I have read before, they are effectively sealed units and not designed to be taken apart to be cleaned or have LED's replaced.

There are some instructions for an Ibiza. No idea of they are any good:

High Level Brake Light...

Anyone got any experience in removing and replacing the 3rd/high level brake light? Or know how much a new one would be? Mine has decided it doesn't want to work anymore :censored: Just another in a long line of things that have gone wrong with my spanish turd over the past 2 months!

www.seatcupra.net

 

[Damo H]

How come no one knows how to do this?

You might need to be a little more patient. Not everyone serves the forum all day

I suspect that its held in by a screw or screws hidden under the trim going off of my ST. Its not a fun thing to remove (the trim), something I've done when fitting a rear dash cam. However that was a few years ago, so my memory isn't the best.

@paddy6789 maybe able to check the workshop manuals if he still has access to them.

 

[chrisRibiza]

I have all the workshop manuals.

1st pages are for no spoiler, later ones are for cars with spoiler

 

[Damo H]

I have all the workshop manuals.

1st pages are for no spoiler, later ones are for cars with spoiler

(The forum hasn’t posted them in order but you’ll see the page numbers.......)

:O Good luck doing that with an Aero spoiler :O

 

[NigelPatrick]

I have all the workshop manuals.

1st pages are for no spoiler, later ones are for cars with spoiler

(The forum hasn’t posted them in order but you’ll see the page numbers.......)

Hi can you please tell me which guide or tutorial applies to my car? I have attached a picture (pardon my ignorance).

 

[Damo H]

I have all the workshop manuals.

1st pages are for no spoiler, later ones are for cars with spoiler

Sorted the page order for you

 

[Damo H]

Hi can you please tell me which guide or tutorial applies to my car? I have attached a picture (pardon my ignorance).

These ones as you don't have a spoiler:

 

[NigelPatrick]

These ones as you don't have a spoiler:

So do I just use tools to carefully pry it open?

 

[Damo H]

So do I just use tools to carefully pry it open?

Yeah, looks like you'll need some trim removal tools to remove the light:

Something like this:

Trim Removal Tool,Reehi Car Pannel Door Audio Auto Trim Tools kit,Auto Clip Pliers Installer Pry Tools with Storage Bages (42PCS) : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

Buy Trim Removal Tool,Reehi Car Pannel Door Audio Auto Trim Tools kit,Auto Clip Pliers Installer Pry Tools with Storage Bages (42PCS) at Amazon UK. Free delivery on eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

But as others have said, the light unit itself will be sealed, so you won't be able to replace the LED's without heating it up in an oven and melting the glue that holds it together. Then it'll no doubt be a soldering iron and that's assuming it survives the process.

From memory the actual brake lights themselves are about £50.

 

[BillyCool]

From what I've read, the whole thing is a potential can of worms. I'd be interested to know how you get on with it.

 

[martin j.]

I had mine changed last year under warranty but I did ask the cost just in case it was refused and it was circa £80. Sealed unit btw.

 

[NigelPatrick]

I've read all the responses and I am having second thoughts on doing this... can you guys tell me if a cleaning or replacement is really needed/required from the picture below?

 

[chrisRibiza]

I've read all the responses and I am having second thoughts on doing this... can you guys tell me if a cleaning or replacement is really needed/required from the picture below?

looks fine to me, there’s really nothing you can do as it’s sealed.

I have a bulb in the centre of mine which sometimes doesn’t work but it’ll be grand :-d

 

[Damo H]

I've read all the responses and I am having second thoughts on doing this... can you guys tell me if a cleaning or replacement is really needed/required from the picture below?

I’d say that’s fine. No issue for an MOT.