Does anyone know how the rear interior light units (fitted with alarm sensors) come out of the headlining? I need to change a bulb and the unit on my car seems very reluctant to being levered out. Is there a clip at one end?

rotodiesel.

What !!

Is this a first?

Roto asking a question rather than answering?

Sorry, I don't know the answer - but I hope someone can help. After all, your posts have helped loads of others. Including me.

cheers

Had a look myself today for you. I had the same problem, very reluctant. Figured it'd be like a lot of cars where it's spring loaded and slides one way or the other to allow access but it doesn't seem that way. They're pretty well stuck in there huh?

Tried prising off the clear bulb lens to see if there was retaining screws behind it but the screwdriver I had at the time wasn't thin enough, worth a try I suppose. I'll give it a try later. Sorry couldn't be more help.

Thanks.

I found this:

http://video.aol.co.uk/video-detail/replace-volkswagen-dome-lightsm4v/3916885263

but it covers the earlier lamp assembly without the sensors. The handbook just says "refer to dealer" for the later units - the earlier ones obviously just unclip.

I wonder what a dealer's lad would do to my undamaged lamp and clean white headlining?

Any other suggestions welcome.

rotodiesel.

Found this pic..

Maybe it works..

Thanks, I'll give it a go tomorrow and report back.

rotodiesel.

At least this and this gives and idea where the connector is on it.

I tried sliding a screwdriver under one side but wasn't sure if I was damaging anything, the picture on the link above gives a better idea I guess.

Thanks everybody, the light is now out.

It clips in, but is latched with a very strong leaf spring at the front edge. Insert a small screwdiver as shown in the diagram and push - hard. You can then lever out the front (narrow) edge of the light assembly and unhook it at the back where the connector is.

The lamp is a 12V 3.3W mounted on a plastic bayonet holder with a screwdriver slot for removal - a bit like an instrument lamp. Don't take all the electronics out of the housing - it's not necessary and is difficult to refit.

My lamp had failed - I'll either do a search for a replacement or (gulp) go to VW.

Thanks for everyone's help - I'll find out where you can get the lamps as they're definitely a non standard type.

rotodiesel.

Local VW dealer had one in stock for an eye-watering £3.22

The part number is P V1J0 947 171.

All fixed and working - thanks guys.

rotodiesel.

Local VW dealer had one in stock for an eye-watering £3.22

The part number is P V1J0 947 171.

All fixed and working - thanks guys.

rotodiesel.

Is that the whole item, i.e everything you will pull out of the headlighning?

probably just the bulb......i would imagine the whole item is around 20-40 quid !

probably just the bulb......i would imagine the whole item is around 20-40 quid !

Nearer £80 mate. :no:

Come on, this is VAG not a charity. £3.22 buys you a 12V 3.3W bulb not much bigger than a pea. (cost to VAG about 10p).

There's quite a lot of electronics in the rear interior lights - 2 ultrasonic alarm sensors and a couple of interconnected pc boards for the alarm system and lamp control. The light itself appears to be controlled from the CANBUS.

rotodiesel.

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Edited 10 February, 201016 yr by rotodiesel

and made for a fiver hehe.....god i hate complicated electronics.....nothing is simple anymore is it......just seems to be one nitemare after another

Update for my last attachment..

New pic. with spec. tools

Light_rear2.pdf

Thanks - that's exactly how it comes out. There is a small hole in the free end of the leaf spring which provides the location for a tool to compress it. I just used a small screwdriver but the spring is quite strong, presumably to stop the lamp unit from rattling.

Thanks for the update - hope you're enjoying your VAG bedtime story.

rotodiesel.

Thanks - that's exactly how it comes out. There is a small hole in the free end of the leaf spring which provides the location for a tool to compress it. I just used a small screwdriver but the spring is quite strong, presumably to stop the lamp unit from rattling.

Thanks for the update - hope you're enjoying your VAG bedtime story.

rotodiesel.

Your welcome. Do not hesitate to ask me if there are some images, manuals, or else you are missing.

And yes .. I enjoy my bedtime story. However, I can not find anything about Canbus in the guide. Maybe I'm just too tired now ..

Thanks again for your help

Thread resurrection time...

I need to replace the bulb in my right rear unit. I've managed to get the unit out of the headlining as per this guide, but how on earth do you get access to the bulb itself?!? Got to be an easier way than removing all the computer circuitry?

There is a black plastic cap on the bulb end remote from the glass - it has a big screwdriver slot in it.

Rotate the cap carefully anticlockwise and the bulb will come free of the pc board. There is just enough room to wiggle it out.

The bulbs are a special - spares readily available from VW at a price. Don't waste your time with "Skoda".

rotodiesel.

can these bulbs be replaced with led's? I have replaced my front ones and would like the same look in the rear....any ideas please?? ta