Look on the inside of the liftgate and you'll spot a plastic trim panel/piece directly behind the High Mount brake light. Gently pry this piece off and you'll have access to the bulb and socket.
There are actually 3 bulbs (GE #1141). On my De Ville there is a small compartment on the rear dash directly in front (from inside the car) the high mount brake light. Simply open the compartment and pull back the trim exposing the 3 bulbs, replace any or all nonworking bulbs.
To replace the brake light bulbs on a VW Polo, pull away the carpeting in the trunk, unscrew the bolt holding the lights on, and disconnect the wiring. Replace the bulbs, put the wiring and bolts back, then replace the carpeting.
you probally need to replace the bulbs
Follow the Youtube video.
AnswerThe bulbs for the brake lights are usually separate from the normal tail light bulbs. Check and replace the brake bulbs first, and if they are still not working examine the fuses, switch and wiring.
You will need a Torx T15 driver and however many 921 bulbs you have burned out. There are 3 bulbs in the center high-mount brake light assembly. Remove the 3 Torx screws right on the face of the plastic bar and the assembly, with the 3 bulbs mounted, comes down. The bulbs pull straight out of their sockets. Push the new bulbs into the blade sockets. Put the assembly back in place and replace the 3 screws.
I would guess that both of your brake light bulbs are burned out, and only the high mount bulbs are still working.
Remove the tail light housing and replace the bulbs.
the screws come off and you replace it
There is a campaign on the brake bulbs for 2000-2003......If it hasn't been done you should get it done. The bulbs and sockets will be replaced.
Open the trunk....inside the trunk, on the back side are plastic covers that you can remove...there you will find your bulbs....find the brake light bulbs and remove them and replace them with new bulbs, then replace the covers. Don't forget about the 3rd brake light ...check it to see if new bulbs are needle. Also, if all of your brake lights aren't working...all at the same time...you might want to check your fuses. If replacing the bulbs and checking the fuses doesn't do the trick, the next step is to check the brake light switch above the brake pedal. And lastly...depending on the age of the car, and the last time you replaced your bulbs...you might want to check all those bulbs
They mount to the back of the dash cluster. The bulbs are exposed when the panel is removed.