How do you replace a stop lamp on a 2003 VW Beetle?

Answer 1

When your under the car look at the back of the light. the wires sticking out. Grab at the base of the wires and twist counter-clockwise it should release the bulb and then all you do is pull it out and unhook the wires. (reverse For putting back in)

Answer 2

On the back of the housing there is a black plastic "tab" that slices (rotates) to disengage the headlight housing. Once it is release the entire unit comes out from the front and the bulb socket can be removed from the back and the bulb replaced. This one operation paid for the aftermarket service book for me. You can replace the bulb in 10 minutes.

Answer 3

Remove the round cover in the trunk area. There will be a wing nut you take off. Now on the outside of car, using a small flat screwdriver place it underneath the rubber gasket on the light assembly ( depending on left or right light assembly, screwdriver should be where the bumber cover meets the body. There are 2 clips underneath at opposite ends near both body parts meeting ) It does take a little force top pop out the whole assembly, make sure screwdriver is big enough it does not bend.

Answer 4

HI,

I have a 2006 Volkswagon beetle conv. The headlights on this model are different than the older ones ex. 99,01,02 etc. and I suppose they will be the same on the 07' and future models. As all of us VW owners know, Workin on these cars is a nightmare!!! The space is small but it can be done, and will save you $$$. Now back to the headlights... once your under the hood the 06' has a lock on the side of the headlight. if you shine a flashlight you will see the lock and unlock icon, Turn it to the unlock position and listen for the light to come loose. Now comes the tricky part or at least the part that took us an hour to figure out. In addition to the lock that needs to be turned, You need to push on a little silver lever (flimsy feeling peice of metal) that is still holding the headlight, Push down and pull out the headlight. The lever feels flimsy as if its going to break but it wont and that is the key to getting the headlight out. The second headlight came out as easy as butter once we figured out you gotta push the lever down and pull or push the headlight if you can get in there behind it. Hope this helps....

Answer 5

For the 2006 Beetles

FYI - The bulb for the 2006 is DIFFERENT than the 98-05 beetles

GE - H7 55w I will start with the tools I used: (Locking mechanism)

1/4" drive ratchet with a 10" extension and a 3/16" socket.

* A 3/16" bit driver will also work if the handle is long enough (secondary locking mechanism)

wooden paint stir stick (freebie from your local hardware or paint store) Passenger's Side

This is the easiest of the two as there is not as much in your way of both locking mechanisms. If you shine a light towards the front of the bottom of the light housing inside the engine compartment you will see a small silver pin with a 3/16" head that has instructions on how to lock/unlock the primary locking mechanism printed on the black plastic above the pin. Turn the pin ONLY 1/2 a turn and take care as the pin should turn VERY EASILY. Now the light housing should be able to move slightly out of it's seat, but it will not come more thant about 1" out of the front of the car. A secondary locking mechanism still holds it in place. If you look a little further back, about 3" - 4", from the primary locking pin; behind a wrapped wire, a/c line, and the power steering resevoir; you will see a horizontal silver lever, about 3" - 4" in length, pointing towards the front of the car. Just simply hold this lever down about 1" to 2" and pull out the light housing at the same time. The entire housing should freely and easily come completely out of the front of the car. Take care removing it as there are no wires connected to it and it will fall to the floor if you are not holding on to it. Just open the back of the housing and replace the bulb that is out. Driver's Side

This is the most difficult one. The battery location is your enemy. In front of the battery, if you look with a flashlight, you will see the primary locking mechanism. It is the only silver looking pin there with a 3/16" head. It looks like the headlamp adjusters on other cars. There are instructions printed on the black plastic above it. You should ONLY turn this 1/2 a turn, and you will NOT need to put much effort into turning it as it should turn very easily. You are not done yet. The entire headlamp assembly should be able to pull out of the fender about 1" now, then it will stop as if something else is holding it. There is a secondary locking mechanism that is just a simple metal lever. If you look on the back of the battery, between the air filter housing and the battery, you should see the end of the small shiny silver lever. Just simply hold this lever down about 1" to 2" and pull out the light housing at the same time. The entire housing should freely and easily come completely out of the front of the car. Take care removing it as there are no wires connected to it and it will fall to the floor if you are not holding on to it. Just open the back of the housing and replace the bulb that is out.

Answer 6

IF YOU NEED TO REPLACE YOUR TAIL LIGHT BULB, FIRST REMOVE THE COVER(ITS ROUND) FROM THE INSIDE OF YOUR TRUNK, THERE WILL BE A BLACK KNOB THAT NEEDS TO BE UNSCREWEWED TOTALLY TO RELEASE THE BACK LIGHT CASING. NEXT, ALONG THE REAR FENDERS WHERE THE LIGHTS ARE, THERE ARE TWO GAPS. THE INSDE GAP( NEAREST HATCH BACK DOOR) IS A RELEASE TAB/CLIP ON THE LIGHT INSIDE BETWEEN THE GAPS. INSERT A BUTTER KNIFE OR SOMETHING SLIM AND PULL OUT CASING(DON'T BE AFRAID, AND IT TAKES A LITTLE FORCE TO PULL OUT). AFTER YOU PULL OUT CASING,YOU'LL FIND TO LIGHT SWITHCES(ONE IS FOR THE TURN SIGNALS AND OTHER IS YOUR BREAK LIGHTS). TURN THE LIGHT SWITCH COUNTER CLOCKWISE(ASSUMING IT'S HANGING UPSIDE DOWN)AND REMOVE. SWITCH OUT LIGHT BULB WITH NEW ONE(AUTOZONE HAS THEM FOR ABOUT $4.00 - PACKAGE OF 2)REPLACE EVERY THING BACK AS YOU UNINSTALLED IT. ITS RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE ALL BULBS, THAT WAY IT YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO IT AGAIN LATER WHEN THEY GO OUT. IT'LL SAVE YOU LOTS OF TIME AND MONEY. HOPE THIS WILL HELP ANYONE SO PRINT AND SAVE IN YOUR MANUAL FOR LATER USE.