GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: Teutonic_Tamer on 30 September 2008, 10:15
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OK, as per subject line, and from this earlier thread: http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=91342 - has anyone here actually had the 3rd high level brake light replaced (under warranty or otherwise)? :smiley:
Mine needs doing, and the stealer reckons the entire rear spoiler needs replacing too. They say they can not separate the brake light from the spoiler - yet I'm sure it could be separated? Are they telling me porkies? :undecided:
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i think it true, the brake light is bonded in or onto the spoiler, sorry i cant be more specific. :smiley:
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i heard it was a spoiler off job too, although im sure people have got it out by breaking it, im sure you would struggle to get a new one in though, whats wrong with yours ?, does it have water in it ?
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Ive heard the same thing, they need to cut the spoiler off and replace the whole unit. Ive also heard that some people have been back more than once for this to be resolved!
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If its just water in i would leave it alone LOL, they could cause more damage than just water in it
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This problem has come up many times.. Easiest way is to break the old light, then take it out.
Simply push the new unit in.
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Mine gets a little condensation in from time to time - I decided to leave it alone though as it might come back worse.
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This problem has come up many times.. Easiest way is to break the old light, then take it out.
Simply push the new unit in.
Having looked at ETKA at the dealer, the lens appears to be fastened to the spoiler by screws that are only accessible from the rear of the spoiler.
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found this
USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!!!!!
If you want to remove just the light, then the service manual says to put tape on the spoiler at the top, and use a "special" wedge (looks like a body filler plastic applicator) and tap it in with your hand until the light pops out. The light itself is a non serviceable LED assembly. I dare say breaking it will be costly.
If you want to remove the whole housing, you have to remove the spoiler which is glued on, good luck with that
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i heard it was a spoiler off job too, although im sure people have got it out by breaking it, im sure you would struggle to get a new one in though, whats wrong with yours ?, does it have water in it ?
It was really swimming in water, though it isn't as bad since I correctly adjusted the rear squirter to the 2 o'clock position rather that spraying straight upwards.
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Ive heard the same thing, they need to cut the spoiler off and replace the whole unit. Ive also heard that some people have been back more than once for this to be resolved!
Interesting - and do you know if these peeps still have the rear squirter aiming straight at the brake light? Because the correct "aim" for the rear squirter is around the 2 o'clock position, which then completely misses the brake light.
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If its just water in i would leave it alone LOL, they could cause more damage than just water in it
I have left it for over two years, but now it is getting towards the end of the warranty, I want it changed, because I don't fancy having individual LEDs going pop due to the water. Let VW pay for it, rather than me! :tongue:
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This problem has come up many times.. Easiest way is to break the old light, then take it out.
Simply push the new unit in.
But the GTI one is different from the standard Mk5s - it is actually screwed in!
Me suspects an aweful lot of Mk5 rear squirters are aiming directly at the brake light. :rolleyes:
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But how do you know its that water thats getting in?? i cant see how that can be it, unless its actually squirting directly at the light housing
then making contact with the glass 1st. There isnt enough pressure surely ???
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Im not sure about the squirter position, but this was the thread on edition38 where I got my info from. http://www.edition38.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=144383
One guy has had his rear spoiler replaced 4 times and still no joy!!! :shocked:
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found this
USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!!!!!
If you want to remove just the light, then the service manual says to put tape on the spoiler at the top, and use a "special" wedge (looks like a body filler plastic applicator) and tap it in with your hand until the light pops out. The light itself is a non serviceable LED assembly. I dare say breaking it will be costly.
If you want to remove the whole housing, you have to remove the spoiler which is glued on, good luck with that
Thanks for that, but that is actually for non-GTI Mk5s - whereby the lamp assembly is just held in place with double sided tape.
The GTI & R32 are different, because they both have the additional rear spoiler, and the light does bolt in from the reverse side of the spoiler. I have now found the correct info - http://volkswagen.msk.ru/electro/g5/g5_94_eng.pdf - pg92-93 (it was in my own sticky thread for the workshop manuals: http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=54324 :embarassed:). But that states that the rear spoiler can be re-used, whereas my stealer said the spoiler needs replacing too! :undecided:
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My squirter goes directly up (12 oclock), well did .... (nips outside to change)
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TT, I just had my boot lid replaced after being rear ended. The body shop said that though the rear spoiler can be removed with a cutting wire all the adhesive has to be removed before replacement pads are first stuck to the spoiler it is considerably quicker to replace the spolier. The rear light screws in via the rear of the spoiler and WILL break if pulled from the front. So they advised, as it was an insurance job, to get a new spoiler, the adhesive took around 4 hours to set.
Dave N
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But how do you know its that water thats getting in?? i cant see how that can be it, unless its actually squirting directly at the light house
then making contact with the glass 1st. There isnt enough pressure surely ???
But thinking about it, every single Mk5 I have ever driven/looked at has had the rear squirter aimed straight upwards, in the 12 o'clock position - ie | - which then drenches the 3rd brake light. However, in the official Volkswagen AG workshop manual for the Golf 5, it clearly shows that the squirter should be aimed away from the brake light, in a "2 o'clock" position - ie / (actually leaning over a little more to the right) - which then clears the rear light, and the light stays dry!
So therefore, if the high level lights were designed so that the rear squirter was not aimed directly at it, but the factory or the stealers now have them aiming straight at them, then they obviously arn't gonna cope, and the spray will overcome the seal and fill them up.
The water in mine is most definately clear, with a hint of froth identical from the VW screen wash additive. I wasn't aware that rain defied the laws of gravity :wink: :tongue: - and it isn't a murky muddy water from what generally collects on the rear screen.
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My squirter goes directly up (12 oclock), well did .... (nips outside to change)
Before you go outside, instead of using a needle in the metal eyeball, it is actually better to rotate the whole head/post. Swivel up the black plastic centre cap, and then looking end-on, the edge of the post looks like a "D". Just carefully swivel that complete, otherwise there is not enough movement in the eyeball. It the post appears to be stiff, pour some vinegar over it and leave it for ½hour, and this will "descale" any crusty residue.
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TT, I just had my boot lid replaced after being rear ended. The body shop said that though the rear spoiler can be removed with a cutting wire all the adhesive has to be removed before replacement pads are first stuck to the spoiler it is considerably quicker to replace the spolier. The rear light screws in via the rear of the spoiler and WILL break if pulled from the front. So they advised, as it was an insurance job, to get a new spoiler, the adhesive took around 4 hours to set.
Dave N
Ahhh, OK, thanks for that. That clears it up then. :smiley:
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if the unit is so well sealed, surely isnt it just excessive heat sweat from the roof spoiler as it does get quite hot and surely isnt there a depression in air presure whilst driving in certain weather conditions??
I cant see how a washer jet is causing this? we are talking tiny droplets that cant escape, not a fishbowl effect! :smiley:
Im sure its just like the Xenon headlamp symtom but the rearbrake light has no way to breath unlike the xenon has. :huh:
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if the unit is so well sealed, surely isnt it just excessive heat sweat from the roof spoiler as it does get quite hot and surely isnt there a depression in air presure whilst driving in certain weather conditions??
But it isn't adequately sealed. And on silver cars, they really get more than luke warm, even when parked in direct sunlight.
And we certainly don't get any kind of "formula 1" kind of aero effect from that tiny lip to cause any kind of depression! :rolleyes:
I cant see how a washer jet is causing this? we are talking tiny droplets that cant escape, not a fishbowl effect! :smiley:
The washer jets are being squirted straight at the lamp. Try it for yourself. Infact, put your hand in front of the squirter, and get someone else to work the washer lever. There is quite some force there. The same force which "pops up" the headlamp washers, and they have a serious spring to overcome!
And it was a fish bowl. You could rock the car from side to side, and the water would literally slosh from end to end in the light! :sick:
Im sure its just like the Xenon headlamp symtom but the rearbrake light has no way to breath unlike the xenon has. :huh:
Nope. Xenons generate considerably more heat than those tiny LEDs, and it is the change in temperature from the Xenon "bulb" which causes condensation inside headlamps. :nerd: :smug:
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Sorry T_T, didnt realise you GIT had a fishbowl as a 2nd pet!!
Mine only has minor droplets and nothing Major and mine always has headed straight up when excited! :wink:
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TT, PM Tagnut. He had condensation in his high level brake light and had it replaced under warranty. I'm sure he said that the whole spoiler had to come off as I spoke to him at the Elsecar meet about it. :nerd:
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Hi T_T,
Well this will add to the confusion! I had mine done under warranty about 2 months ago now. The car went in for this
(http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm110/NewGolf/LED.jpg)
And came out approx 2 hours later with the brake light replaced and dry. It looked a lot better, and completely dry, but wasn't "sitting in" properly on one side. I pushed it hard, and it sort of clipped itself in. It's been perfect since. i reckon they are now clip in. My GTI was new in March this year if it helps :smiley:
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OK, as per subject line, and from this earlier thread: http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=91342 - has anyone here actually had the 3rd high level brake light replaced (under warranty or otherwise)? :smiley:
Mine needs doing, and the stealer reckons the entire rear spoiler needs replacing too. They say they can not separate the brake light from the spoiler - yet I'm sure it could be separated? Are they telling me porkies? :undecided:
Mine is going in next week. full of mist. but reading this topic sounds like a bad idea. now cancelled. :undecided:
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I ams sure 'lsc' had problems with his rear light and had it done under warranty.
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TT, PM Tagnut. He had condensation in his high level brake light and had it replaced under warranty. I'm sure he said that the whole spoiler had to come off as I spoke to him at the Elsecar meet about it. :nerd:
Yep, your right there Hurdy. I had it done and its been fine since. The dealer had the car over night and they removed the whole rear spoiler. They then reseated the HLB light and rebonded it back on. The job was spot on with no damage to the car. :smiley:
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As I have only ever used my rear screen wash once, (OCD thing about having frothy residue on the tailgate!! ) I suspect water is getting in from the top of the spolier where it's attached to the rear tailgate as after cleaning the brake light appears to have more condensation in it.
I had mine booked in to be done but when they mentioned scraping and replacing spoliers I chose not too bother. I'll probably get it done just before the warranty runs out. :huh:
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OK, as per subject line, and from this earlier thread: http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=91342 - has anyone here actually had the 3rd high level brake light replaced (under warranty or otherwise)? :smiley:
Mine needs doing, and the stealer reckons the entire rear spoiler needs replacing too. They say they can not separate the brake light from the spoiler - yet I'm sure it could be separated? Are they telling me porkies? :undecided:
Mine is going in next week. full of mist. but reading this topic sounds like a bad idea. now cancelled. :undecided:
I certainly wouldn't recommend cancelling it. Afterall, you are getting done for free under warranty, whereas if you don't get it changed now, and the LEDs start to fail after the warranty has expired, you will then have to pay out your own pocket for the full cost. :wink:
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Hi T_T,
Well this will add to the confusion! I had mine done under warranty about 2 months ago now. The car went in for this
(http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm110/NewGolf/LED.jpg)
Mine was actually much worse than that. However, since I correctly adjusted the rear squirter away from the light, and may due to the relative dry weather, the light is now completely dry. However, with the amount of water which was in there, I don't hold any chances for the longevity of the LEDs, so it is still getting done.
And came out approx 2 hours later with the brake light replaced and dry. It looked a lot better, and completely dry, but wasn't "sitting in" properly on one side. I pushed it hard, and it sort of clipped itself in. It's been perfect since. i reckon they are now clip in. My GTI was new in March this year if it helps :smiley:
You mean they forgot the retaining screws . . . . :wink: :rolleyes:
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Apologies for reserecting this thread.
My High Level brake light has stopped working and at first I thought it may be the fuse until reading this thread :sad:
My question is anyone who didn't have the HLB fixed did your car pass an MOT. My MOT is due in two weeks and having just shelled out for the cambelt and water pump changing at 50,000 and the service (£550 total) I haven't got the spare £400 the stealer is asking so I'm thinking of leaving it a few months.
Any advice welcomed - thanks
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Read this thread
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=121067.0
:afro:
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Thnaks for finding this, I've ordered the light and I'm going to give it a go.
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Used that guide a couple of months back, worked a treat and saved a fortune :grin:
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Saved myself £357.43 by removing the HLB myself. Followed the guide without any problems.
Couple of things I would add to the guide. I put a couple of strips of masking tape around the spoiler just in case and also added a few drops of clear sealant to where the srews are/where located to stop any stray spray.
Thanks agin for the guide. :smiley: