Hi,

 

I think I mentioned that, at the last MOT, the car passed with an advisory on the high level brake light. In typical fashion, I meant to get around to it, but the MOT is up again in a month.

 

I took a look at it this evening and it seems that it might be water ingress that has killed it as I was expecting an entire, sealed unit that popped out of the enclosure but it appears that the unit has separated. Maybe this is normal?

 

It might not be easy to see but the face that is exposed to the weather can almost be removed from the back part that contains the LEDs. On the left hand side, it took little effort to pull the unit apart but it wasn't great all along it. In the middle appears to be a bent metal tab which I thought might be the retaining clip. At the far right, the unit separates easily again. From looking into the left hand side, what I imagine to be the seal is intact but inside the unit along, presumably, with some nice water and general grime.

 

Is this how the unit comes apart? Is it easy to replace if I start to take things further? Can anyone recommend a source of a good replacement part?

 

Thanks

Edited 13 September, 20223 yr by briscaF1
added info

I'd think that your only source for a new high level light will be Skoda.

 

I'd also think that if you managed to work out how to remove that assembly, you could cut it open and repair it and then bond it back together again before refitting it - but that would depend on your technical abilities.

 

I had a rear high level light assembly fail on my wife's previous car which was a 2002 VW Polo - and what surprised me was that that car's high level brake light had a row of filament bulbs and not LEDs! Anyway, if I had had more time and that car was not being used daily, I would have looked into that assembly before buying a new one - as as soon as I removed the old one I could see where/what the failure was - one of the power connections had rusted due to water getting in! If I had seen that, I could have sorted that original light out by splicing in a new and longer length of wire and soldered it to the bus bar, which was what I needed to do after fitting the new light assembly!

part number is

 

5J9945097

 

it has a seperate "holder" which the spring clips hold it into, I think it has to be unlocked......

 

I don't think the lens is supposed to seperate, it's the bond / glue between the lens and body of the lamp which has probably failed allowing moisture ingress and subsequently lamp failure.

 

removal procedure below..........

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the replies and the guide - it's very much appreciated.

 

I do have the technical skills to repair it - I can solder etc, so I'll take a look at repairing it. I didn't notice whether it was LED or filament but it looked like there were small "domes" that could have been LED or bulb...it was tricky to see, though.

I wondered what the removable plug was - I shone a torch in there but didn't see much to go at. I'll take another look tomorrow.

 

I'll let you know how I get on...!

it tells you above its LED...........to be honest, for about £50, why mess about, just fit a new one.

 

I would ring your nearest dealer and get a price, even a VW dealer could get it, ask for trade discount, you can often get a good deal.

 

 

 

 

Edited 13 September, 20223 yr by UrbanPanzer

19 hours ago, UrbanPanzer said:

.to be honest, for about £50, why mess about, just fit a new one.

 

 

If it's anything to go by the similar unit for an Octy estate is around £240 !! so a repair if possible might be a better option ? 

24 minutes ago, nige8021 said:

 

If it's anything to go by the similar unit for an Octy estate is around £240 !! so a repair if possible might be a better option ? 

Thankfully the part quoted earlier by @UrbanPanzer is a shade under £50.

A change in design and it's £240 for an Octavia 😤 and possibly made by the same manufacturer!