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Author Topic: Fallen foul of the high level brake fiasco  (Read 3001 times)

Offline andrewparker

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Fallen foul of the high level brake fiasco
« on: July 12, 2012, 08:09:36 pm »
My car was in the garage today for a routine service and MOT, and failed on the high level brake light not working. At this point I was unaware of what a ridiculous design it has, and indeed the troubles people have had already with it. Needless to say I fell off my chair when they quoted £430 to fix it.

I was further bemused when I got home and had a fiddle with the LED strip. The thing took almost no force at all to come away (see photo). I don't know if VW tried to prise it off, or whether they simply didn't try.

I've ordered the part, so is it simply a case of removing the grommet, disconnecting the old LED strip and reconnect the new? Will it hold in place OK with out the screws?


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Offline Gene Hunt

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Re: Fallen foul of the high level brake fiasco
« Reply #1 on: July 12, 2012, 08:12:53 pm »
Think that what most have done mate.  :happy2:
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Offline StephenED30

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Re: Fallen foul of the high level brake fiasco
« Reply #2 on: July 12, 2012, 08:15:06 pm »
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Offline jedi-knight83

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Re: Fallen foul of the high level brake fiasco
« Reply #3 on: July 12, 2012, 08:22:27 pm »
What!? never heard about this issue. Why so much and how much is it now going to cost you?

Im going out to wrap my light in bubble wrap now if its worth that much! lol
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Offline Weston

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Re: Fallen foul of the high level brake fiasco
« Reply #4 on: July 12, 2012, 08:24:39 pm »
The hardest bit is getting it out, and that's not exactly difficult. Can't believe places quote so high for a problem you can fix yourself for £40  :surprised:
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Offline andrewparker

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Re: Fallen foul of the high level brake fiasco
« Reply #5 on: July 12, 2012, 08:27:40 pm »
Quote from: jedi-knight83 on July 12, 2012, 08:22:27 pm
What!? never heard about this issue. Why so much and how much is it now going to cost you?

Well hopefully only £44 for the part.

I've read that water ingress is the culprit, and that you should direct the washer jet so that it doesn't spray up at it.
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Offline stealthwolf

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Re: Fallen foul of the high level brake fiasco
« Reply #6 on: July 12, 2012, 08:37:39 pm »
IIRC the proper way to do it is to remove the spoiler which probably adds to the cost.
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Offline Gene Hunt

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Re: Fallen foul of the high level brake fiasco
« Reply #7 on: July 12, 2012, 08:38:26 pm »
Quote from: andrewparker on July 12, 2012, 08:27:40 pm
Quote from: jedi-knight83 on July 12, 2012, 08:22:27 pm
What!? never heard about this issue. Why so much and how much is it now going to cost you?

Well hopefully only £44 for the part.

I've read that water ingress is the culprit, and that you should direct the washer jet so that it doesn't spray up at it.
........both my GTI's have had a bit on condensation in them over the winter months etc.I never had problems & always make shure the washer jet is set lower than the light. Must say i would def have a go my self if i ever did get problems.
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Offline Gene Hunt

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Re: Fallen foul of the high level brake fiasco
« Reply #8 on: July 12, 2012, 08:39:42 pm »
Quote from: stealthwolf on July 12, 2012, 08:37:39 pm
IIRC the proper way to do it is to remove the spoiler which probably adds to the cost.
..........think thats it & there bonded on so the reason why they cause a load of problems.
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Offline andrewparker

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Re: Fallen foul of the high level brake fiasco
« Reply #9 on: July 12, 2012, 09:05:03 pm »
Quote from: Gene Hunt on July 12, 2012, 08:39:42 pm
Quote from: stealthwolf on July 12, 2012, 08:37:39 pm
IIRC the proper way to do it is to remove the spoiler which probably adds to the cost.
..........think thats it & there bonded on so the reason why they cause a load of problems.

Yep, VW say it's impossible to remove it without breaking it!
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keendean

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Re: Fallen foul of the high level brake fiasco
« Reply #10 on: July 12, 2012, 09:08:43 pm »
Ordered mine today from Vindis. £46. I'll be fitting it with a new found mate, who has a love also for the Mk V. He had the same problem, and his has fitted fine, with just pushing it back in. Seems a common problem  :scared:
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Offline Greeners

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Re: Fallen foul of the high level brake fiasco
« Reply #11 on: July 12, 2012, 09:09:36 pm »
Quote from: andrewparker on July 12, 2012, 08:27:40 pm
Quote from: jedi-knight83 on July 12, 2012, 08:22:27 pm
What!? never heard about this issue. Why so much and how much is it now going to cost you?

Well hopefully only £44 for the part.

I've read that water ingress is the culprit, and that you should direct the washer jet so that it doesn't spray up at it.

I don't agree it's the washer jet that causes it. I never used to use my rear washer (on OCD thing about the mess to makes on the tailgate!  :laugh: ) and mine used the get water into the unit. IMO the water gets through the top of the spoiler when jet washing.

Be sure to put a bead of sealant on the new LED when re-fitting!  :wink:
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Offline andrewparker

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Re: Fallen foul of the high level brake fiasco
« Reply #12 on: July 12, 2012, 09:27:09 pm »
My biggest worry is removing the grommet and the connection coming loose...
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Offline Gene Hunt

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Re: Fallen foul of the high level brake fiasco
« Reply #13 on: July 12, 2012, 09:39:52 pm »
Quote from: andrewparker on July 12, 2012, 09:27:09 pm
My biggest worry is removing the grommet and the connection coming loose...
...........you will be fine if you follow the guide on this link :happy2:.Think of the cash you will save.
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Offline PDT

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Re: Fallen foul of the high level brake fiasco
« Reply #14 on: July 13, 2012, 03:32:39 pm »
High level brake light isnt an mot failure is it?

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