Luke
07-26-2007, 10:38 PM
I finally (after 8+ years) needed to replace one of the rear corner marker bulbs on my '99 NB. I knew the lense snapped in, but I had little clue about how to proceed without (1) breaking the lense and/or (2) scatching the paint on the fender nearby.
I found a few tip I'll pass along to make such a replacement go easier.
- The lense is mounted fairly solid on the front end (near the front of the bug) with several plastic 'teeth'. However, a plastic 'spring' is located on the rear of the lense, so that's the end you want to pry off first using a medium screwdriver (blade type) or something similar.
- If you pry without protection over the paint, you will likely chip, mar or scatch the paint. I tried placing a rag between the paint and the screw driver, but the prying action slipped it out eveytime. Finally, I tried some blue painters tape on the prying surface and that did the trick - no slipping. It takes a bit of effort to get the unit out far enough to get your fingers underneath the end of the lense for final removal.
- After you remove the light unit, the rear portion rotates and comes free with a short turn to access the bulb. The bulb is not a normal tail light bulb so I guess you'll need to get the replacement from a VW dealer or an auto supply outlet. I suggest you take in the old bulb to make a match.
- re-installation is a "snap"(!) once you see how it was removed.
Hope this helps.
- Luke
I found a few tip I'll pass along to make such a replacement go easier.
- The lense is mounted fairly solid on the front end (near the front of the bug) with several plastic 'teeth'. However, a plastic 'spring' is located on the rear of the lense, so that's the end you want to pry off first using a medium screwdriver (blade type) or something similar.
- If you pry without protection over the paint, you will likely chip, mar or scatch the paint. I tried placing a rag between the paint and the screw driver, but the prying action slipped it out eveytime. Finally, I tried some blue painters tape on the prying surface and that did the trick - no slipping. It takes a bit of effort to get the unit out far enough to get your fingers underneath the end of the lense for final removal.
- After you remove the light unit, the rear portion rotates and comes free with a short turn to access the bulb. The bulb is not a normal tail light bulb so I guess you'll need to get the replacement from a VW dealer or an auto supply outlet. I suggest you take in the old bulb to make a match.
- re-installation is a "snap"(!) once you see how it was removed.
Hope this helps.
- Luke