Hi folks

 

My 3rd brake light (the high level one above the boot glass) is only working intermittently. A bit of looking on YouTube suggests I can replace the whole thing - but at a cost of £200 ish for the light unit, plus install time, and an MOT on Wednesday (timing) I'm hoping I can replace just the bulb rather than the whole unit?

 

Fingers crossed.

 

Thanks.

I think you will find that it is an LED unit so nothing replaceable.

Ah, that would make sense - arse. Thanks.

The unit is repairable if you are so inclined.

 

Most likely the power connector pins on the LED PCB strip have corroded from moisture ingress and/or the solder has cracked.

 

An easy DIY fix.

 

The source of your £200 part must have large windows.

I just had a quick look for lights on eBay! Will look futher afield, but I'd imagine a garage will be paying similar amounts for it, plus labour.

 

Yes, I could probably fix it myself if I can just get it through the MOT first...

 

Thanks.

Ah hah. I've found a couple that look right for the £25 to £35 mark - that's more like it! Anyone know the part number for a 2011 Octavia Scout estate? The main ebay page says one will fit, but the details page says it doesn't!

I think there's a loophole where it will pass the MOT if completely inop, disconnect it if intermittent.

 

It's only a fail if n% of the LEDs are defective.

 

The p/n should be on the part.

Edited 14 August, 20232 yr by MicMac

1 hour ago, MicMac said:

I think there's a loophole where it will pass the MOT if completely inop, disconnect it if intermittent.

 

It's only a fail if n% of the LEDs are defective.

 

The p/n should be on the part.

That would only work if the bulb out warning on the dash didn't come on. I think the Scout has maxidot too which also shows a warning.

 

Our FL Octavia Estate had similar issues and failed its MOT on this. 

We bought a cheap unit from ebay for around £35.

 

The OE unit is sealed and not really possible to open up and repair although some have managed to fix theirs.

 

 

You can check part nos here and here

 

 

Edited 14 August, 20232 yr by xman

Thanks both, got the part number. Yes, mine is maxidot so shows a warning. It's working again now but sod's law states it will go off on Wed on the way to the MOT centre!

@xman

 

I have a PFL L&K with maxidot and it doesn't show a fault on mine, it depends on the hard/software fitted.

 

It's an easy fix, don't be scared to have a go.

It started working intermittently again, so I didn't replace it. Just taken it to garage and the MOT chap said the 3rd brake light is now an advisory rather than a fail - which would make sense as there are two other good brake lights...