The Adventures of Cindy Li

VW Beetle: Third Brake Light Replacement

August 5 , 2006 19 comments

Once upon a time

A VW Beetle’s third brake light went out and well…. the happy ending is that I didn’t have to pay for someone else to do it and I got a gold star for that day. :D I am posting this for those of you that like fixing your VW Beetle plus someone reminded me that I never posted directions on how to do this. So Cheers! and have fun replacing your light.
My reference from the New Beetle Forum (You have to sign up to be in the forum to get to that link). Plus, I bought the the Volkswagen New Beetle Service Manual this week from Amazon.

Things you will need

• Third Brake light replacement (You have to get this from Volkswagen’s third brake light at the parts department $63+tax)

  

• Philips screwdriver
• Flat screwdriver or butter knife
• Electrical tape
• Bobby pin
• Patience (it’s a virtue…)

Optional

If you want to further your knowledge on your VW beetle. I bought this book to help guide me along. It has some tips and its a nice reference to have.

Let’s get started

• 1. Open your trunk and locate the two screws that hold the plastic cover on the inside of your trunk. It is located in a recessed area that is like a handle.

  

 

• 2. Remove the black trim panel from the trunk. You can pull using your hands. There are little plastic clips around the panel so keep an eye or feel around to see where they are.

  

 

• 3. Find the 3 Philips head screws (in the photo and remove them with a Philips screwdriver)

  

 

• 4. Use mechanical tape and cover the flat head screwdriver so you don’t sratch your car. Or if you don’t have a flathead,  a butter knife will work too with the tape. Be careful the clips on it are still and attached.

  

 

• 5. Disconnect wire connector carefully. (Hold the little tabs and then push the outer tabs up)

  Clip: CLOSED Clip: OPEN

 

• 6.  Grab a hold of the wire and hook up the new one and make sure the clips are in.
  Make sure when you push the new light in that the wire isn’t too bent and that the seal around the light is tight (It’ll get tighter once you put the screws back in but just check around the edges of the light or water will get in there.

  

 

• 7. So back on the inside of the trunk you are going to have tons of fun trying to get it to align. I used a the bobby pin on one side to make sure the hole was aligned.

  

• 8. So put the plastic lid back on and put the screws back in the handle.

• 9. Test out your light with something on the brake pedal or get a friend to sit there and test it out while you make sure the light comes on. I used a waterbottle :) MacGyver would be so proud I know it!

  

Check out the final product!

Additional Posts about VW Beetle Lights

If you are looking for how to change out VW Beetle Tail lights or replacing your VW Beetle Headlight. Please don’t ask me about any additional VW Beetle fix it questions. I only post what I have done.  It keeps me out of trouble. I am not a mechanic. Thank you!

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