MK5 Golf GTI
All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: andrewparker on July 12, 2012, 08:09:36 pm
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My car was in the garage today for a routine service and MOT, and failed on the high level brake light not working. At this point I was unaware of what a ridiculous design it has, and indeed the troubles people have had already with it. Needless to say I fell off my chair when they quoted £430 to fix it.
I was further bemused when I got home and had a fiddle with the LED strip. The thing took almost no force at all to come away (see photo). I don't know if VW tried to prise it off, or whether they simply didn't try.
I've ordered the part, so is it simply a case of removing the grommet, disconnecting the old LED strip and reconnect the new? Will it hold in place OK with out the screws?
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fandrew-parker.com%2Fbrakelight.jpg&hash=a55b119a75dac6c69805320d2698872351bb8301)
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Think that what most have done mate. :happy2:
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Have a read here. :happy2:
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=121067.0
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What!? never heard about this issue. Why so much and how much is it now going to cost you?
Im going out to wrap my light in bubble wrap now if its worth that much! lol
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The hardest bit is getting it out, and that's not exactly difficult. Can't believe places quote so high for a problem you can fix yourself for £40 :surprised:
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What!? never heard about this issue. Why so much and how much is it now going to cost you?
Well hopefully only £44 for the part.
I've read that water ingress is the culprit, and that you should direct the washer jet so that it doesn't spray up at it.
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IIRC the proper way to do it is to remove the spoiler which probably adds to the cost.
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What!? never heard about this issue. Why so much and how much is it now going to cost you?
Well hopefully only £44 for the part.
I've read that water ingress is the culprit, and that you should direct the washer jet so that it doesn't spray up at it.
........both my GTI's have had a bit on condensation in them over the winter months etc.I never had problems & always make shure the washer jet is set lower than the light. Must say i would def have a go my self if i ever did get problems.
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IIRC the proper way to do it is to remove the spoiler which probably adds to the cost.
..........think thats it & there bonded on so the reason why they cause a load of problems.
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IIRC the proper way to do it is to remove the spoiler which probably adds to the cost.
..........think thats it & there bonded on so the reason why they cause a load of problems.
Yep, VW say it's impossible to remove it without breaking it!
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Ordered mine today from Vindis. £46. I'll be fitting it with a new found mate, who has a love also for the Mk V. He had the same problem, and his has fitted fine, with just pushing it back in. Seems a common problem :scared:
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What!? never heard about this issue. Why so much and how much is it now going to cost you?
Well hopefully only £44 for the part.
I've read that water ingress is the culprit, and that you should direct the washer jet so that it doesn't spray up at it.
I don't agree it's the washer jet that causes it. I never used to use my rear washer (on OCD thing about the mess to makes on the tailgate! :laugh: ) and mine used the get water into the unit. IMO the water gets through the top of the spoiler when jet washing.
Be sure to put a bead of sealant on the new LED when re-fitting! :wink:
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My biggest worry is removing the grommet and the connection coming loose...
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My biggest worry is removing the grommet and the connection coming loose...
...........you will be fine if you follow the guide on this link :happy2:.Think of the cash you will save.
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High level brake light isnt an mot failure is it?
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High level brake light isnt an mot failure is it?
Yep
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High level brake light isnt an mot failure is it?
Ha, well this is where it gets a bit contentious. I read the MOT Testers Manual and it states:
Additional stop lamps fitted and connected must be tested. Where extra lamps are fitted and there is doubt as to whether they are connected, the benefit of this doubt should be given to the presenter.
So VW were basically conforming to the letter of the law. If your car has an additional stop lamp, and it is connected to the lighting circuit, then it must work.
I'd have said the most sensible thing would have been to mark is as an advisory, stating they were unsure if it was connected.
It's pretty damned irritating considering the number of wrecks you see on the road!
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I assume that if I was to remove the brake light completely it would pass.
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My 3rd brake light failed a few days ago just before the MOT so I removed it and covered the gap with black tape, passed fine. So just remove it for now and it will pass, looking further into the regs it only needs to work if its fitted, same as passenger side wing mirrors and spare tyres.
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So, 5 minutes later I have replaced the faulty light and replaced it with a new one. I'm absolutely astounded how easy it was and will be printing the guide and giving it to VW on Wednesday.