A&Q about 350Z
Q:
Hello,
I was informed by my local VW specialist garage that during the MOT check the Lupo's high level brake light wasn't illuminating properly, so I told them to fix it as it was the only thing stopping it from passing.
When I picked up the car tonight, I was told that it had passed the MOT but they had to disconnect the 3rd brake light, this is because if it's connected it needs to be working to pass the MOT but if it isn't connected it doesn't matter. No problem there. Apart from they snipped the wire where it enters the boot by the hinge, because they couldn't work out how to fix it.
My question is, has anyone else had this problem and how did you fix it, the dodgy 3rd light, not the snipped wire!
Thanks
A:
sounds abit cowboy for a maindealer, more so that they couldnt fix a brake light!
A:
That is proper cowboy... there's no need to be cutting any wires. To fix will be a little difficult as they haven't left you much slack in the wires to play with. Best fix would be to slide heat shrink insulator over one end of wire, solder together, slide heat shrink over joint and heat up. Another bodge is to find some crimp connectors and make the connection that way.
Did you find out the fault with the 3rd high brake light in the first place? If blown buld they could have replaced that, or even passed you with a caution/warning providing you got them to order a replacement bulb.
A:
Thanks chaps, I should have realised when I saw his horses tied up outside. It wasn't a main dealer by the way, it was supposed to be a VW Audi specialist, didn't go to the main dealer here due to previous bad experiences!
Anyway, guess I'm gonna go down the re-patch the wire together road and see for myself what's wrong with the lights. Gotta try and pull enough slack out from where it goes into the tailgate though as the muppet snipped it quiet close.
When I've done that and can see what's wrong, I'll be posting back asking for help/advice again!
Cheers
A:
The high level brake lights has a row of small bulbs in them, I belive its a sealed unit so if a bulb goes its screwed, think it will need a complete new light.
A:
I've reconnected the snipped wire and still nothing. Next question is, how do I get to the bulbs or the whole section to replace?
There's a strip in the middle of the tailgate with 3 screws in it, I undid this but can't see how it held the brake light in place and a bit of a jiggle didn't loosen it so put the screws back. From the outside it seems the whole unit must come out somehow, anyone got any ideas?
Cheers
A:
Hi, I think it'll be difficult to get the unit out, you need slack in wire to pull it out.
A:
Main dealer jobby then, will have to find a recommended one.