How do you change a brake light bulb on a VW Golf MK5?

Answer 1

The light cluster must be removed from the body. First, untuck and pull back the carpet on the inside of the boot where the broken light is. Carefully unplug the four-way connector from the light cluster. (If there is a safety catch on the connector, the connector can be gently removed by using a plain flat head screwdriver to slide the built-in switch on the connector all the way to OPEN, and then with your other hand gently unplugging the wired connector.) There are two plastic studs (or two metal nuts) securing the light cluster to the car which must be removed. (A nut remover in the form of a screwdriver will make your task a lot easier.) Once they are off, the light cluster can be easily removed from the rear of the vehicle. There are three plastic clips on the light cluster which must be carefully slipped off the bulb holder moulding to avoid breaking them off the light cluster. Once the bulb holder moulding is dismantled, you can see there are three bulbs in the bulb holder moulding. The rear light bulb and brake light bulb are both standard and are each rated at 12 V and 21 W. The third bulb in the centre is the indicator bulb and appears to be a quartz halogen lamp. To refit: Replace the broken light bulb. (It may appear burned out, or the filament in the bulb may be visibly broken.) Ensure the wired connector is pulled back into the boot so that it does not get caught under the light cluster. Refit the bulb holder moulding back onto the light cluster, ensuring that the plastic clips are engaged. Once the light cluster is in position, the two plastic studs (or two metal nuts) can be refitted. Plug back in the four-way connector and test the lights. Go and make a cup of tea, you deserve it.