C5 Estate Central Brake Light

estateman · Unread post by **estateman** » 31 Aug 2010, 00:09

Hi Everyone,
I bought a 2003 C5HDI estate, because of its big boot!
All well so far but I cannot get the lens off the brake light in the spoiler to change the bulb. Can anyone help?

JohnD · Unread post by **JohnD** » 31 Aug 2010, 14:15

I don't think you can. It's a row of LEDs

Unread post by **myglaren** » 31 Aug 2010, 15:45

It does come off but I can't remember how, been having a look around and failed to find anything yet.

The problem is usually a resistor that fails and is fairly easily replaceable, as should be any failed LEDs.

JohnD · Unread post by **JohnD** » 31 Aug 2010, 16:53

Just had a look in Haynes. It seems that only the estate has the LEDs. The hatchback has a bulb . Instructions say open the tailgate, press in the release tabs and remove the cover and release two clips.

estateman · Unread post by **estateman** » 01 Sep 2010, 00:13

Hi Myglaren, JohnD

Thanks for the help. Will try again to access it.

Cheers

Simon99 · Unread post by **Simon99** » 01 Sep 2010, 01:23

As mentioned the high level stop light is a row of LEDs which apparently are non renewable.
To gain access to it you have to first remove the inner trim on the top inside of the tailgate. Just gently prise it off and you might get away with only breaking a couple of clips. Then you can remove the exterior panel housing the stop light. This is held on with 2 large flat head bolts, 2 ordinary bolts and 2 plastic clips. You will need a T30 torx bit. Although about fixing a non opening rear window I got the info from here:
http://users.skynet.be/sky83161/sven/openingc5.pdf
Once off you can then remove the stop light from the panel.
But as myglaren said problem may be elsewhere.
At least you might be able to test it once removed.

estateman · Unread post by **estateman** » 01 Sep 2010, 23:49

Hi Simon99,

Thanks for that. Had a quick look at the link,.... WoW! Its a saturday job me thinks. Hopefully I won't break anything!!