Replacing high level brake light - advice please.

[PaulnDi]

Hi , my high level break light cover popped out & broke this weekend after ice got behind it, (63 plate T5). I rang the VW specialist who does my servicing and took it in this afternoon. He had ordered me a replacement unit and said he would be able to fit it whilst I waited. However after looking at it they decided that they needed to book it in for a day as they need to start removing all the trim from the bottom upwards on a Cali because of the zipper bag with the seats in. They want to allow themselves several hours to try to avoid breaking any clips. Having read some of the threads on here over the weekend I believed that you only need to removed the cream section of trim that goes around the window. He's sold me the unit and booked me in to come back next week but I'm think of having a go myself to save possibly 2 or 3 hours of labour charges. PLEASE CAN ANYBODY CONFIRM THAT IT IS JUST THE UPPER SECTION OF TRIM THAT NEEDS TO BE REMOVED, MANY THANKS.

 

[EddieEagle]

Yes. It is just the upper trim.
Mine’s a 15 plate T5.1. Did mine recently and took a leisurely hour including lots of coffee .

 

[Sad]

Post in thread 'How to replace tailgate brake light' https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/how-to-replace-tailgate-brake-light.20716/post-344055

This looks to have so useful pics on it...

 

[PaulnDi]

Thank you both, I thought so, got the distinct impression the garage just didn't want to do it today, probably got too much else on to start it at nearly 4pm.

 

[The Blue Merle]

Hi , my high level break light cover popped out & broke this weekend after ice got behind it, (63 plate T5). I rang the VW specialist who does my servicing and took it in this afternoon. He had ordered me a replacement unit and said he would be able to fit it whilst I waited. However after looking at it they decided that they needed to book it in for a day as they need to start removing all the trim from the bottom upwards on a Cali because of the zipper bag with the seats in. They want to allow themselves several hours to try to avoid breaking any clips. Having read some of the threads on here over the weekend I believed that you only need to removed the cream section of trim that goes around the window. He's sold me the unit and booked me in to come back next week but I'm think of having a go myself to save possibly 2 or 3 hours of labour charges. PLEASE CAN ANYBODY CONFIRM THAT IT IS JUST THE UPPER SECTION OF TRIM THAT NEEDS TO BE REMOVED, MANY THANKS.

There was a manufacture recall on rear high level brake light. Had my old t5.1 2014 done prob back in 2016 (ish).
I’m sure there’s a thread on here or someone can remember better.

 

[PaulnDi]

There was a manufacture recall on rear high level brake light. Had my old t5.1 2014 done prob back in 2016 (ish).
I’m sure there’s a thread on here or someone can remember better.

Yeh thanks for that but I rang VW Van Centre in Sheffield and they said it already been done. I thought it been done under warranty before the recall but their records showed it had been done so they weren't prepared to do it again.

 

[EddieEagle]

Post in thread 'How to replace tailgate brake light' https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/how-to-replace-tailgate-brake-light.20716/post-344055

This looks to have so useful pics on it...

Think this may have been a help to me ..

 

[willwander]

See the thread linked above.
Easy...except for the trim, which is a right PITA