| Author |
Message |
Hutfahrer Schrauber


Joined: 10/22/2005 Posts: 7824 Karma: +1099 / -0 Location: BAR
Premium Support
|
14-02-2014, 10:28 Subject: Golf 5: Replace Brake Light Bulb |
Quote |
|
Does anyone have a quick, step-by-step guide on how to replace the brake light bulb in a Golf 5 hatchback, and what type of bulb is required?
Automobile Zeitzeugen: |SUZUKI Swift Sport (2008)| |Smart 450 (2002)| |Honda CB 125 F (2018)|
Translated on 19-09-2026, 4:42.
|
|
| Back to top |
Profile PM |
 |
Roger Profi-Schrauber


Joined: 10/11/2002 Posts: 3035 Karma: +88 / -0 Location: Rodgau 2017 Volkswagen Golf Premium Support
|
14-02-2014, 10:39 Subject: Golf 5: Replace Brake Light Bulb |
Quote |
|
1. Hit Google
edit @ Autoservice : Link removed. You know why...
Gruß
Roger
MJ 2018 GTI Performance DLBA
Translated on 19-09-2026, 4:42.
|
|
| Back to top |
Profile PM Garage |
 |
Hutfahrer Schrauber


Joined: 10/22/2005 Posts: 7824 Karma: +1099 / -0 Location: BAR
Premium Support
|
14-02-2014, 10:45 Subject: Golf 5: Replace Brake Light Bulb |
Quote |
|
It is blocked here.  The P21W lamp type, the "Gockel" (a German term, likely referring to a specific source or system) already informed me about this. My question is whether I can help a very nice colleague during the remaining 10 minutes of her lunch break, or if I should let it be.
Automobile Zeitzeugen: |SUZUKI Swift Sport (2008)| |Smart 450 (2002)| |Honda CB 125 F (2018)|
Translated on 19-09-2026, 4:43.
|
|
| Back to top |
Profile PM |
 |
Roger Profi-Schrauber


Joined: 10/11/2002 Posts: 3035 Karma: +88 / -0 Location: Rodgau 2017 Volkswagen Golf Premium Support
|
14-02-2014, 10:49 Subject: Golf 5: Replace Brake Light Bulb |
Quote |
|
Oh, I see...
Ideally, you'll need a ratchet and a 10mm socket with an extension. Disconnect the connector, loosen two nuts, remove the taillight assembly, and clip out the lens from the taillight housing.
P21W BA15s for brake light/turn signal.
H6W Navigation Light.
Gruß
Roger
MJ 2018 GTI Performance DLBA
Translated on 19-09-2026, 4:44.
|
|
| Back to top |
Profile PM Garage |
 |
ulf Profi-Schrauber

Joined: 04/13/2002 Posts: 11058 Karma: +18 / -0 Location: Saarland 2023 MG ZS Premium Support
|
14-02-2014, 10:50 Subject: Golf 5: Replace Brake Light Bulb |
Quote |
|
Hutfahrer wrote: | | I can either help a very nice colleague with something she needs during the remaining 10 minutes of her lunch break, or I can choose not to. | Ask her to come to your house... with the offer to then immediately check all the lamps for potential swaps. 
Gruß Ulf
_________
MG4 Electric
Translated on 19-09-2026, 4:44.
|
|
| Back to top |
Profile PM Garage |
 |
matthiasTDI96 Profi-Schrauber

Joined: 02/27/2003 Posts: 5886 Karma: +252 / -0
Premium Support
|
14-02-2014, 11:00 Subject: Golf 5: Replace Brake Light Bulb |
Quote |
|
...he's not allowed to do any repairs or modifications at home, otherwise he'll get a formal warning...
Translated on 19-09-2026, 4:45.
|
|
| Back to top |
Profile PM |
 |
Hutfahrer Schrauber


Joined: 10/22/2005 Posts: 7824 Karma: +1099 / -0 Location: BAR
Premium Support
|
14-02-2014, 11:13 Subject: Golf 5: Replace Brake Light Bulb |
Quote |
|
Is a 10mm wrench needed for the plastic nuts? Does the Golf not have a tool for that?
I don't have the H6W in stock, but I have the rest at home. I could give you a P21W from my own stock.
Automobile Zeitzeugen: |SUZUKI Swift Sport (2008)| |Smart 450 (2002)| |Honda CB 125 F (2018)|
Translated on 19-09-2026, 4:45.
|
|
| Back to top |
Profile PM |
 |
Roger Profi-Schrauber


Joined: 10/11/2002 Posts: 3035 Karma: +88 / -0 Location: Rodgau 2017 Volkswagen Golf Premium Support
|
14-02-2014, 11:29 Subject: Golf 5: Replace Brake Light Bulb |
Quote |
|
The mounting brackets are fastened with 10mm (metal) nuts, and the top nut is recessed quite deeply into the metal sheet. Without a socket wrench or ratchet, there's no way to loosen them.
The standard toolkit usually only includes a 10/13mm open-end wrench, if I recall correctly.
Gruß
Roger
MJ 2018 GTI Performance DLBA
Translated on 19-09-2026, 4:46.
|
|
| Back to top |
Profile PM Garage |
 |
Hutfahrer Schrauber


Joined: 10/22/2005 Posts: 7824 Karma: +1099 / -0 Location: BAR
Premium Support
|
14-02-2014, 11:40 Subject: Golf 5: Replace Brake Light Bulb |
Quote |
|
Okay, so it's not until Monday, and then I'll bring the "Ratschkasten" with me...
Automobile Zeitzeugen: |SUZUKI Swift Sport (2008)| |Smart 450 (2002)| |Honda CB 125 F (2018)|
Translated on 19-09-2026, 4:46.
|
|
| Back to top |
Profile PM |
 |
dieselmartin Profi-Schrauber


Joined: 03/13/2003 Posts: 10121 Karma: +29 / -0 Location: in der Werkstatt 2007 Volkswagen Passat Premium Support
|
14-02-2014, 12:18 Subject: Golf 5: Replace Brake Light Bulb |
Quote |
|
Roger wrote: |
P21W BA15s for brake light/turn signal.
H6W Standlicht |
I'm still wondering where the H6W model is supposed to be located.
The two half-rings are P21W... because I have them coded for both the reverse light AND the brake light, "Grill the guy behind you"... for an incredibly bright 84W brake light  .
EDIT: Or maybe not... I need to take a look.
###########################################
What is that?
You mean the "regular" Golf, not the Variant or the Jetta?
Okay, here's the translation:
"So, that one:"
| Description: |
| Golf 5: Replace Brake Light Bulb |
|
| File size: |
83.33 KB |
| Viewed: |
2741 times |

|
| Description: |
| Golf 5: Replace Brake Light Bulb |
|
| File size: |
78.84 KB |
| Viewed: |
2748 times |

|
Transparency, Teamwork
... there was another T.
I don't know what the f*ck it was.
Translated on 19-09-2026, 4:47.
|
|
| Back to top |
Profile PM Garage |
 |
Hutfahrer Schrauber


Joined: 10/22/2005 Posts: 7824 Karma: +1099 / -0 Location: BAR
Premium Support
|
14-02-2014, 13:18 Subject: Golf 5: Replace Brake Light Bulb |
Quote |
|
I'll just have to see what's inside. The P21W label makes me feel uneasy; I've had enough of that.
Automobile Zeitzeugen: |SUZUKI Swift Sport (2008)| |Smart 450 (2002)| |Honda CB 125 F (2018)|
Translated on 19-09-2026, 4:48.
|
|
| Back to top |
Profile PM |
 |
dieselmartin Profi-Schrauber


Joined: 03/13/2003 Posts: 10121 Karma: +29 / -0 Location: in der Werkstatt 2007 Volkswagen Passat Premium Support
|
|
| Back to top |
Profile PM Garage |
 |
Roger Profi-Schrauber


Joined: 10/11/2002 Posts: 3035 Karma: +88 / -0 Location: Rodgau 2017 Volkswagen Golf Premium Support
|
15-02-2014, 10:28 Subject: Golf 5: Replace Brake Light Bulb |
Quote |
|
Unlike what is shown in the video, it actually appears here that there might be a provision for a wrench to be used on the upper nut.
Gruß
Roger
MJ 2018 GTI Performance DLBA
Translated on 19-09-2026, 4:49.
|
|
| Back to top |
Profile PM Garage |
 |
dieselmartin Profi-Schrauber


Joined: 03/13/2003 Posts: 10121 Karma: +29 / -0 Location: in der Werkstatt 2007 Volkswagen Passat Premium Support
|
15-02-2014, 10:39 Subject: Golf 5: Replace Brake Light Bulb |
Quote |
|
Roger wrote: | | Unlike what is shown in the video, it actually appears here that there is a provision for a wrench to be used on the upper nut. |
Whew... I have no idea.
But a socket and a 1/4" extension are more fun anyway, because after a short loosening moment, it's just a matter of effortlessly turning the nut. And the nut is less likely to fall off inside the socket.
Oh yeah:
Disconnecting the electrical connection:
Pull the turquoise-colored latch backward, then unplug the connector.
It should almost engage "in one motion" when you place your thumb on the locking mechanism.
m;
Transparency, Teamwork
... there was another T.
I don't know what the f*ck it was.
Translated on 19-09-2026, 4:50.
|
|
| Back to top |
Profile PM Garage |
 |
Hutfahrer Schrauber


Joined: 10/22/2005 Posts: 7824 Karma: +1099 / -0 Location: BAR
Premium Support
|
18-02-2014, 8:37 Subject: Golf 5: Replace Brake Light Bulb |
Quote |
|
Thank you for your support! Yesterday, after work, we tackled it in the local parking garage. Flipping up the trunk liner worked as described. The stiff thing doesn't leave much space, but it was enough. The nuts used in the specific vehicle were made of hard plastic, long and cylindrical, so they weren't metal like the ones shown in a cap nut shape. After loosening these two nuts with a ratchet and a 14mm socket (without an extension - there wasn't enough space!), the entire taillight could be pushed out with some force. Disconnecting the connector (red slider on the connector, quite stiff) worked well from the outside. After that, the taillight could be completely removed. However, I couldn't disconnect the electrical connector from inside the trunk. I couldn't reach the release slider.
Removing the lamp holder from the light housing was no longer a problem after that. The outer lamp, a P21W, was completely black and defective. It was quickly replaced. Next to it is an H6W, which is responsible for illuminating the taillight in the inner half of the illuminated ring. It was already showing signs of silvering inside, but was still emitting light. It will likely need to be replaced soon. I wonder if a T4W with a BA9S base (with the approval of the bulb monitoring system) could be used as a replacement. The base is the same, and I have a large quantity of these lamps that don't fit in my vehicle. Everything was assembled quickly, and the bulb monitoring system extinguished the corresponding warning light after a short time.
That Golf is identifiable by the markings on the windows, indicating it was manufactured in the early summer of 2008. The rear window and rear side windows are marked with dates from June/July 2008. Therefore, it likely belongs to the last batch of its production series.
Automobile Zeitzeugen: |SUZUKI Swift Sport (2008)| |Smart 450 (2002)| |Honda CB 125 F (2018)|
Translated on 19-09-2026, 4:53.
|
|
| Back to top |
Profile PM |
 |
Autoservice Profi-Schrauber


Joined: 04/14/2012 Posts: 2130 Karma: +99 / -0 Location: Nähe Düsseldorf
Support
|
18-02-2014, 12:40 Subject: Golf 5: Replace Brake Light Bulb |
Quote |
|
Thank you for the feedback  .
Quote: | | Unlocking the plug (red slider on the plug, quite stiff) worked well from the outside. |
For this, there is a release tool, a kind of T-handle with a flat hook, which can also be used for the other connectors.

LG, Onkel BM
*Nichts ist einfacher, als sich schwierig auszudrücken......*
**Technische Fragen bitte ins Forum und nicht in mein Postfach**
Translated on 19-09-2026, 4:55.
|
|
| Back to top |
Profile PM |
 |