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Author Topic: 3rd brake light (high level) not working  (Read 3245 times)

Offline Kee1994

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3rd brake light (high level) not working
« on: March 11, 2020, 08:05:19 pm »
Got my mot coming up in few months had a advisorys for the 3rd brake light, where can I order one from ? Seen a few cheaper ones on Ebay dont know if there any good.

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Offline ljc19630

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Re: 3rd brake light (high level) not working
« Reply #1 on: March 11, 2020, 11:13:48 pm »
eBay should be fine as it’s not a moving part. Failing that OEM from VW


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Offline Octoparrot

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Re: 3rd brake light (high level) not working
« Reply #2 on: March 12, 2020, 07:07:21 pm »
I'd check for a broken wire in the tailgate to body near the top, I thought its unusual for all the led's to fail at once but I could be wrong.

Offline OldGTI

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Re: 3rd brake light (high level) not working
« Reply #3 on: March 13, 2020, 05:44:33 pm »
I'd check for a broken wire in the tailgate to body near the top, I thought its unusual for all the led's to fail at once but I could be wrong.

I think they are know to leak and the water does the damage.

Offline JR.303

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Re: 3rd brake light (high level) not working
« Reply #4 on: March 15, 2020, 10:38:39 am »
Lots of youtube vids on how to replace, you have to break the old one out.
A garage can take the spoiler off which involves paint.
Breaking it out is diy.
I have to do mine at some point, I keep putting it off!!
Aparently you have to move the sprayer nozle so it doesn't go up vertically thereby getting water in the light.

Offline Kee1994

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Re: 3rd brake light (high level) not working
« Reply #5 on: March 15, 2020, 11:04:28 am »
Lots of youtube vids on how to replace, you have to break the old one out.
A garage can take the spoiler off which involves paint.
Breaking it out is diy.
I have to do mine at some point, I keep putting it off!!
Aparently you have to move the sprayer nozle so it doesn't go up vertically thereby getting water in the light.
Yeah will have to do the break method, doesn't matter because it doesnt work haha

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« Last Edit: March 15, 2020, 06:15:14 pm by Kee1994 »

Offline andyR43

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Re: 3rd brake light (high level) not working
« Reply #6 on: March 15, 2020, 07:23:59 pm »
As Octoparrot says check for a broken wire first. Open up the tailgate and pull the rubber from the loom from between the tailgate and the car body. It's an easy 60 second check and a common fault.  :happy2:


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Offline JR.303

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Re: 3rd brake light (high level) not working
« Reply #7 on: March 16, 2020, 05:09:25 pm »
As Octoparrot says check for a broken wire first. Open up the tailgate and pull the rubber from the loom from between the tailgate and the car body. It's an easy 60 second check and a common fault.  :happy2:
I'll give that a go, thanks.

Offline dubburke

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Re: 3rd brake light (high level) not working
« Reply #8 on: March 17, 2020, 06:34:50 am »
i wonder if this is how water is getting in to my spare wheel well?
my daughter slammed the boot shut and the 3rd brake light fell out :scared:

Offline titchy

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Re: 3rd brake light (high level) not working
« Reply #9 on: March 17, 2020, 09:16:03 am »
If more than 50% of the light works it wont fail mot

Offline Kee1994

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Re: 3rd brake light (high level) not working
« Reply #10 on: March 17, 2020, 02:58:38 pm »
Just replaced mine all works fine now

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Offline JR.303

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Re: 3rd brake light (high level) not working
« Reply #11 on: March 18, 2020, 07:27:12 am »
Just replaced mine all works fine now

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Which one did you buy?

Offline andyR43

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Re: 3rd brake light (high level) not working
« Reply #12 on: March 18, 2020, 01:20:45 pm »
If more than 50% of the light works it wont fail mot

If you tell them it's disconnected it wont fail its MOT. 👍


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Offline Kee1994

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Re: 3rd brake light (high level) not working
« Reply #13 on: March 18, 2020, 03:47:58 pm »
Just replaced mine all works fine now

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Which one did you buy?
Cheap one off ebay only cost about £20

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Offline JR.303

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Re: 3rd brake light (high level) not working
« Reply #14 on: March 18, 2020, 05:30:10 pm »
Thanks.
It all seems a bit trivial now doesn't it?