Hi
Just after some advice as to how to get at the rear brake light cluster on my 2001 Passat as the brake light bulb has gone. The lift out panel comes away easily enough to view the cluster from behind.
Once this is done I can see that all the bulbs seem to sit on one board which has 2 release clips. However depressing the clips does not allow the bulb board to come free, I can't see anything else holding it in and pulling out one side before the other doesnt help either.
So what have I missed? is there a click and twist trick here how does the bulb board get released, the handbook says take to the dealer but seeing as its only a bulb I dont think that should be necessary, there are no obvious fixings I can see only the 2 clips.
Answers please
as always
Mark
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You need to remove the retainer for the rear indicator bulb first. Its a light grey plastic holder and independent of the main bulb cluster but helps to hold the cluster in. This holder has a vertical extension on it that you grasp between finger and thumb and then twist clockwise a small amount until it comes free. Once free it can be pulled out and you can then release the two clips and pull the main bulb holder unit out. When you put this grey holder back make sure it's lined up correctly.
A word of caution; the bulbs in the main unit are all special twin filament types that are NOT the same as standard 21/6 watt offset pin bulbs. IIRC I think they are 21/4 watt offset, staggered pin types that can probably only be obtained from a VW dealer (at some ridiculous price no doubt!)
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Depress the clips, jiggle it around, and pull. All at the same time. It's quite fiddly.
You can get the correct bulbs pretty much anywhere that sells auto bulbs. The stop/tail combination is a twin filament bulb, so be careful not to fit a single filment bulb - this will make all the lights behave strangely and will fry your battery (from painfully expensive experience).
An important warning though, the guidebook on the shelves in Halfords recommends the WRONG BULB. This is how my mistake happened. Suggest an independant auto parts shop (just quote the model and year) or any garage. Just make damn sure it's double filament before you fit it.
Hi Graham, yes you will have noticed that the swear filter works well with certain 4 letter words. Please don't test it again. For reasons behind the edit please follow the appropriate link in:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=2&t=23...4
I didn't delete the post as the link suggests as it did contain useful information, but that's only because I am new in the job and still keen to please:)
Hugo BR Moderator
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Sorry Graham, but 2001 on Passat rear bulbs are NOT standard twin filament bulbs. Prior to 2001 the bulbs were normal - please see my previous posting. Bulb removal is different on pre 2001 models.
The rear light clusters on 2001 on models can be recognised by the large circular inserts, they are very different from the older model.
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Thanks guys
I think you are correct Bertj I noticed the light grey extension and I will try to remove it tomorrow when I can see what I am doing, I am sure that will do the trick.
I did buy a spare bulb set today at Halfords it should contain the correct bulb and was £12.99 for a set of 7 bulbs against £7.99 for the single bulb required, however I have a feeling this set maybe going back to Halfords if the bulb design is as you state. I will examine the old and new carefully tomorrow and if its not the same a trip to VW on Monday I fear.
Thanks again
as always
Mark
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Ok just to update, I have taken another look and following the advice given by Bertj I managed to remove the bulb board, six seperate bulbs in the cluster. Just to note the grey extension turns anti clockwise for removal and its a tight fit.
But heres the rub the Halfords bulb kit was useless for the rear cluster as all the VW bulbs have offset pins and the Halfords ones do not (It is the correct kit). Additionally the Halfords bulbs for the rear cluster were 5w instead of 4w so the bulb kit was a waste of time, its going back tomorrow, you would have been badly let down had you bought one of these kits to go abroad with as if you can't fit the bulbs you might as well not have bothered.
There will then be a trip to the VW dealers for a bulb, its never straightforward.
as always
Mark
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Funny you should say that about Halfords bulbs because I went in the other week for some for my Focus headlights and the guide there mentioned different bulbs than those stated in the handbook.
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Adam
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Just to finish this off
Took the bulb set back to Halfords, they couldnt understand why the bulbs were the wrong rating and pin design, I asked them to check the pack against the book, they confirmed it was the correct pack for the car but could not explain why the contents were no good, so I would watch out if buying a Halfords bulb kit it could well have contents that are no good.
Off to VW to get a bulb, it cost an astounding 49p as I only had a £10 note and they had no change it was mine for free, hurrah!
I declined the offer to fit it when they quoted 15 minutes labour at £19 plus vat.
Did notice however they now have their own version of a rapid fit joint for tyres, shocks, oil etc no appointment required.
as always
Mark
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That's amazing - 49p for a bulb from VW! I'll buy some spares tomorrow. Glad you got it sorted.
Bert
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Just had same problem as Mark and stumbled across this great site.
VW handbook says 'changing the bulbs involves the removal of certain body panels and should be carried out by vw dealer'
Thanks to all of you I have discovered the body panel is only the access cover to the jack and that turning the indicator bulb to the left is all you need to do.
Bit sneaky of VW not to tell you this in the handbook.
Local dealer did however give me two brake light bulbs for free.
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