high level 3rd brakelight - anyone had one replaced

[Teutonic_Tamer]

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.

[Teutonic_Tamer]

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! 

[Teutonic_Tamer]

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. 

[Saint Steve]

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

[markymark]

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!!!

[Teutonic_Tamer]

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! 

[neg]

My squirter goes directly up (12 oclock), well did .... (nips outside to change)

[DaveN]

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

[Teutonic_Tamer]

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    - and it isn't a murky muddy water from what generally collects on the rear screen.

[Teutonic_Tamer]

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.