TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu Nov 20, 2003 12:26 pm

I have a 98 NB. After five years and 104K miles my taillights have burnt out for the first time, the third brake light and the driver's side brake light. Can anyone give me some direction on how to replace these? I found the finger nut for the taillights and removed it but the housing doesn't budge and I don't see how the third light is mounted.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I hate going to a dealer for something I SHOULD be able to do myself. Thanks in advance.

Thu Nov 20, 2003 12:51 pm

http://www.bugmod.com/eurotail.htm

^there is info on changing your taillights.

the third brake light is held on by 2 screws that are under the plastic panel on the hatch.

to remove the panel, unscrew the 2 phillips screws in the hand-hold pockets then lift up on the panel (same direction as the glass) there are a TON of little snap-in tabs all around this panel but once you remove the screws, it just pops off with a little pressure.

re-assembly is a b!tc# because you gotta line up all the snaps around the hatch, but it can be done.

I am not sure, but I think the third brake light is an LED unit, and can only be replaced as such, (whole unit)

Hope this helps you, and for future reference, if you havent already, join www.newbeetle.org . it is a site specifically devoted to the NB and answers to any question come QUICKLY over there. I am the same screen name there BTW if you wanna say hello :)

Eeyore

Fri Nov 21, 2003 8:25 am

Thanks. This helps a lot. Third one may have to wait a while.

Sorry to hear about your accident. I only have a few road scares, nothing major. I must say though, as small as the car seems I've always felt confident that I'd walk away from just about anything. It's a very solid little machine.

I keep wanting to get a newer one but don't want to get rid of this one!

Fri Nov 21, 2003 10:12 am

ya, these little cars have a way of becoming a part of the family, don't they?

BTW, where in NE ohio are you? I live on the east side of Columbus, and I make occasional trips up to Strongsville/Berea area to see another NB owner friend

Eeyore

Mon Nov 24, 2003 11:41 am

I grew up in Berea. I live about 30 minutes east of Cleveland. Columbus has a pretty good VW show. Missed it this year though. You go to many shows?

Tue Nov 25, 2003 11:09 am

only went to the Columbus show this year, tho I took home 2nd place :)

I hope to make it to more shows next year. see you there!

Fri Nov 28, 2003 2:51 pm

if the lights went out at the same time, have you checked the fuse? May be a dumb question, but I've BTDT. :oops: