How do you activate it? The centre bulb of the estate rear interior cluster.

How do you change the bulb in the inside units of the tailgate?

 

Thank you.

the tailgate lamps pull out from one side the same as the footwell lamps. they are held in with sprung loaded clips.

On the estate with the sunroof  the two rear passenger lamps though bigger employ the same spring clip method but are much stronger and seem to have an internal metal trim the lamp fits through perhaps to give the headlining more strength?

removing both of those lamps on mine was very difficult and has resulted in them being a looser fit.

It may be possible to remove just the clear lens by inserting a flat tool in the centre top and prising it out however trying to get the festoon bulb in its contacts would be beyond fiddly.

Thank you for this. I removed the tailgate lamp units, put them back and asked how to change the bulbs when I couldn't determine how to open the units to access the bulbs. Still non the wiser.

I changed all three bulbs in the rear passenger unit but have no clue as to what powers the centre bulb.

Do you mean how do you open the thin aluminium case covering the bulbs in the tailgate lights?

if so you have to prise it off the four lugs of the clear lens.

I am unclear what is "the centre bulb" sorry

SuperbDreams, Thank you. I did wonder if this was the case. What type of bulb will I find inside? Is it something that I can replace with an LED?

 

Re. centre bulb, the overhead passenger interior lamp unit contains three bulbs. I have changed them all for LED's but I have no idea what illuminates the third or middle one.

10 hours ago, Name said:

SuperbDreams, Thank you. I did wonder if this was the case. What type of bulb will I find inside? Is it something that I can replace with an LED?

 

Re. centre bulb, the overhead passenger interior lamp unit contains three bulbs. I have changed them all for LED's but I have no idea what illuminates the third or middle one.

The estate tailgate lamps are 501 5W5 wedge type bulbs.  I've just upgraded mine to LED.  Not all LEDs fit the holder because as well as gripping electrical connection flat base, they also have a secondary support around base of the main bit of circular glass body.  The body of first lot of bulbs I bought was just too wide for this secondary support and so couldn't push fully into the holder.  So although they would illuminate they weren't being gripped properly and sure they would have soon vibrated loose .  So you need LEDs that are physically identical in size to the original halogen bulbs.  These are the ones I ended up with - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393610898339, Although not as bright as the original ones I tried they are a great improvement, nice white light and lot brighter than the halogen originals.  Makes working out of the boot a lot easier and was 6 quid well spent although just seen price has gone up 50% since purchased back in November.  eBay vendor keeps sending me discount codes (usually 8 to 10%) - DM me if you plan to buy these and I'll be happy to send you any active discount code I have at the time.  Alternatively try the trick of adding them to your eBay watch list as it's amazing how often you then quickly get offer of a discounted price.

 

If your rear passenger light is the same as my facelift car there are 3 bulbs.  The middle one is essentially a slave to the main cabin light in front so from recollection comes on when doors open (if front light is in auto position) or when front lamp is manually switched on.  I think it can also be switched on manually but too cold to go out and check!  The ones either side are essentially reading lights with separate switches in the lamp module for left and right rear passengers to switch them on and off on demand.

Doc. Thank you for this. I'll get around to the tailgate lights and heed your advice. Yes useful as when we get back to civilisation (Europe) making sandwiches, etc. sitting at the back in the warm it helps seeing what ones doing and reading a book. As for the middle bulb, as you say, it's cold. I'll take a look tomorrow but I'm pretty sure that it doesn't or hasn't come on yet in my ownership! NB I'm concentrating on what lube oil at the moment. Just posted/posed the question on the forum. NB2 changing my gearbox thermostat has changed the car. Amazing.