Mk1 C5 Estate - Removing 3rd brake light

[SwissSPEC]

Hi everyone, i've got condensation inside the lens, does anyone know how to safely remove the 3rd brake light without causing damage to it, & is there a seal kit which i can buy or is it just a case of sealing up with some clear builders caulk as a cheaper & just as effective method? I did take the inside boot trim off as i thought i may be able to access the light, but oh no i can't. Everything seems to be contained in the small roof spoiler, so it must just pull out somehow?

[VertVega]

Check page 6 for description and also page 8 pic. in this C5 estate tailgate repair documentation. It might be useful.
http://users.skynet.be/sky83161/sven/openingc5.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[SwissSPEC]

Many thanks, i'll have a look tomorrow & will report back on how i got on

[SwissSPEC]

I've had a look & the pictures in the attachment don't appear to be for an estate? The only other thing i can thing of, is it supposed to be accessed via the split level rear screen? In which case mine doesn't open, is there a fix for this or was this not an option on a 2002 LX spec 2litre Hdi estate?

[SwissSPEC]

Scrap what i've said above, i've read the rest of the attachment & it shows how to access the split rear screen, doh!! I'll have a try tomorrow.

[SwissSPEC]

I just want to double check i won't be trying the fix mod, if i manage to open it up, will i be able to shut it & it will lock ok, i don't want to mess about with it if i'm unable to make the car secure, hope that made sense?

[old'uns]

The glass screen switch/catch will open and close mechanically, no 'leccy needed.
The micro switch just releases the catch, with no electric you pull down on solenoid as per PIC on page 3
I drove round for a few days without the spoiler in place with no problems.

[SwissSPEC]

Just to double check, on the rear wash wipe there is a switch in rubber that can be activated to release the catch & then you just pull it up manually, that makes sense, however, for some reason the rubber switch doesn't appear to release the catch, i can feel & hear a slight noise as i press the switch, but it deffo doesn't appear to allow me to pull it up. Is the micro switch not powered by leccy? Is it possible that it's just stuck on due to lack of use & i need to use a bit more force to shift it? I'm always wary of breaking things

[old'uns]

that's the classic C5 rear glass problem....wires corroded, usually the ones built into glass, the 'fix' which you will come across is putting wires on inside of screen from top of hatch to the switch..guides on here somewhere?
I had a new rear screen fitted to mine.....lasted less than 6 months.
if you take off the rear tailgate cover, torx screws i think? , you'll see the solenoid as in pic on the guide, press that and catch opens

[SwissSPEC]

Cheers for the info, i wasn't bothered that it didn't work, i was trying to access the 3rd brake light as there is moisture inside it. I wanted to take it off to clean it out & to find out why water was getting inside it & possibly do a simple cheap fix which would keep it going for years to come. The split tailgate can stay as it is for many more years to come

[cachaciero]

The glass screen switch/catch will open and close mechanically, no 'leccy needed.
The micro switch just releases the catch, with no electric you pull down on solenoid as per PIC on page 3
I drove round for a few days without the spoiler in place with no problems.

Not on MK1's it aint, the rear window latch operates a micro switch which operates the latch via the BSI.

cachaciero

[old'uns]

I just want to double check i won't be trying the fix mod, if i manage to open it up, will i be able to shut it & it will lock ok, i don't want to mess about with it if i'm unable to make the car secure, hope that made sense?

i know the mk1's is leccy operated day to day use, however my ref to pulling the solenoid was for the above..ie being able to open it and shut it secure so being able to drive it.

[SwissSPEC]

Alway's good to clarify