Harper Lin
Changing the rear lights on a Volkswagen Golf can be a challenging task, but it is not impossible. While some people opt to take their car to a professional, others choose to do it themselves. This process typically involves removing the tail light housing, locating and unscrewing bolts, unplugging the bulb holder, and wiggling the tail light out before installing the new light. It is important to consult the owner's manual to determine the correct type of bulb and locate the access points to the tail lights. Additionally, it is recommended to replace both brake lights at the same time to avoid having to change the other light soon after.
Characteristics and Values Table for Changing Golf Rear Lights
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Difficult but not impossible; some people find it annoying |
| Tools | 8mm socket and extension, T20 torx bit, screwdriver |
| Steps | Open the box; open the hatch; take off the cover on the passenger side of the trunk; locate the bolts that hold the tail light in place; remove the bolts; unplug the bulb holder; wiggle the tail light out; install the new light |
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What You'll Learn
Removing the old light
To remove the old tail light on your Golf, start by opening the hatch and removing the cover on the passenger side of the trunk, right above the trunk light. Next, locate the three 8mm bolts that hold the tail light in place. One bolt is right behind the trunk liner, while the other two are visible. Remove these bolts with an 8mm socket and extension.
Now, carefully unplug the bulb holder. Take your time with this step, as you don't want to break the side clip on the lower corner of the light. Once the bulb holder is unplugged, gently wiggle the tail light to remove it from the vehicle.
If you're working on the driver's side, you'll need to remove the warning triangle holder with a T20 torx bit. Then, pull back the carpet lining below the CD changer. You should see two nuts at the top and one at the bottom to the furthest right. Remove the bulb holder and wiggle out the tail light.
Finally, if you're changing a brake light, you'll need to remove the red brake light lens to access the bulb. Use your owner's manual to locate the access points to your tail lights, and then use a screwdriver to open the housing. Once you have access to the bulbs, carefully remove them from the socket.
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Locating the bolts
To locate the bolts for changing the rear lights of a Golf, follow these steps:
First, open the hatch and remove the cover on the passenger side of the trunk, right above the trunk light. Then, locate the three 8mm bolts that hold the tail light in place. One bolt is right behind the trunk liner, while the other two can be seen in the image attached to the source material.
For the driver's side, remove the warning triangle holder with a T20 torx bit. Next, pull back the carpet lining below the CD changer. You will find two top nuts, and the furthest one to the right on the bottom is the third nut.
It is important to note that the bolts and nuts for the rear lights of a Golf can be located in different places depending on the model and year of the car. For example, the 2008-2013 Volkswagen Golf has a different process for locating the tail light bulbs, which involves accessing the rectangular tail light compartment cover on the driver's side of the vehicle's rear cargo area.
Additionally, when working with headlights, the process may vary depending on the model. Some Golf models have standard Halogen headlights, while others have upgraded Zenon lights. The headlight, high beam, and turn signal lights are in the same place on both units, but accessing the bulbs may require removing panels or the entire assembly.
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Unplugging the bulb holder
To unplug the bulb holder, you will first need to open the hatch and take off the cover on the passenger side of the trunk, right above the trunk light. Then, locate the three 8mm bolts that hold the tail light in place. One is right behind the trunk liner, and the other two are pictured. Remove the bolts with an 8mm socket and extension.
Once the bolts are removed, you can carefully unplug the bulb holder. Be gentle and take your time to avoid breaking the side clip on the lower corner of the light. These two holes are where the tail light bolts on, and the very bottom corner is where the clip is located, which can break easily.
For the driver's side, the process is similar. Remove the warning triangle holder with a T20 torx bit. Then, pull back the carpet lining below the CD changer. Locate the two top nuts, and the third nut, which is the furthest one to the right on the bottom.
Now, repeat the process of taking the bulb holder off. Again, be gentle and wiggle the tail light out carefully. Replace the bulb with a new one, ensuring it is the correct type for your vehicle. You can consult your owner's manual to determine the correct bulb type.
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Installing the new light
To install the new light, first, take off the plastic protector. Then, repeat the process of taking the bulb holder off and wiggling the new tail light into place. Make sure not to break the side clip on the lower corner of the light. Bolt the new light in and push the trunk liner back up. Reattach the triangle holder.
If you are changing the driver's side light, you will need to remove the warning triangle holder with a T20 torx bit. Pull back the carpet lining below the CD changer. Locate the two top nuts and the third nut, which is the furthest one to the right on the bottom. Repeat the process of taking the bulb holder off, and wiggling the tail light out. Replace it, and bolt it in. Push the trunk liner back up, and reattach the triangle holder.
For Golf MK7, you just need to unscrew a cap under the hood, on the back of the headlight assembly. You don't need any tools for this.
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Reattaching the triangle holder
Firstly, it is important to understand the context of the process. In the previous steps, you would have opened the hatch and removed the cover on the passenger side of the trunk, located right above the trunk light. You would have also located and removed the bolts holding the tail light in place, unplugged the bulb holder, and carefully wiggled the tail light out.
Now, for reattaching the triangle holder, you will essentially be performing the reverse of the previous steps. Begin by taking your new tail light and inserting it into the designated space. Ensure that you are careful and gentle during this process, as the side clip on the lower corner of the light can break easily.
Once the new tail light is securely in place, repeat the process of attaching the bulb holder. This involves securing the bulb holder in place, either by bolting or plugging it in, depending on your specific model. Make sure that the bulb holder is firmly connected before proceeding.
After securing the bulb holder, it's time to focus on the triangle holder. This part is also known as the warning triangle holder, and it is typically located on the driver's side. Using a T20 torx bit, carefully reattach the triangle holder to its original position. Ensure that it is securely fastened to avoid any issues.
Finally, push the trunk liner back up into place. This will help conceal the bolts and provide a neat finish to your work. Your Golf's rear tail lights should now be successfully changed, with the triangle holder reattached securely. Remember to test the lights to ensure they are functioning properly.
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Frequently asked questions
First, open the hatch and remove the cover on the passenger side of the trunk, above the trunk light. Then, locate the three 8mm bolts that hold the tail light in place and remove them with an 8mm socket and extension. Next, unplug the bulb holder and wiggle the tail light out, being careful not to break the side clip on the lower corner of the light. Finally, reverse the process to install the new light, making sure to bolt it in securely.
Yes, you will need an 8mm socket and extension to remove the bolts holding the tail light in place. You may also need a screwdriver to open the tail light housing and access the bulbs.
Changing the rear lights on a Golf can be difficult, especially if you have large hands. However, it is not impossible and can be done with patience and careful manoeuvring.
Yes, it is important to be gentle when wiggling the tail light out, as the side clip on the lower corner of the light can break easily. Additionally, it is recommended to replace both brake lights at the same time, as they tend to burn out quickly and having one new and one old brake light can cause inconsistencies in brightness.
It is important to consult your owner's manual to determine the correct type of bulb for your specific Golf model. Using the wrong type of bulb can affect the brightness and safety of your rear lights.
