OEM Volkswagen Brake Lights

Diagnose Common Problems with Your Volkswagen Brake Lights DIY

You know what they are. You know what they do. Most importantly, you know what happens when they're not working: nobody can tell when you're braking, let alone whether or not you're just slowing down a sec or stopping dead. They're your brake lights, and what you may not know is why they're out. Good thing you came to us for advice on getting some answers.

First: Brake Lights 101

On most VW vehicles -- sedans like Jetta, hatchbacks like Beetle, and otherwise -- brake lights and taillights are housed in the same light assembly. You can tell the difference between them: turn on your headlights or activate the parking brake; your taillights will come on. Brake lights only turn on, though, when you step on the brake pedal. Plus, they're usually a brighter red, and different from reverse lights to boot; those are white.

The takeaway: this is also a good way to diagnose bad brake lights, if you have a spotter. If yours have failed, there's a reason why. Here're a few scenarios.

1. Your Bulbs are Burned Out

This is something that just happens, given how frequently car lights get used. Plus, a lot of older vehicles -- take Golf or GTI, for instance -- still use halogen lamps; these require replacement more frequently. (By contrast, today's LED bulbs last longer.) You'll have to replace them.

2. Your Brake Light Switches are Bad

All your brake lights out at the same time? This is most likely. Analog switches, for example, wear out over time. Plus, any switch can get dirty; that's going to interfere with both contact and the switches' abilities to transmit signals. Your best bet is replacement.

3. You've Blown a Fuse

Brake light switch working fine? Neither side's lights turning on anyway? This scenario's most likely. Replacement's recommended.

4. Some Sockets are Faulty

Hypothetical: one brake light's out, the bulb itself is fine. In this case, the socket's connections are likely soiled or corroded. Of course, the wiring could also be so worn out that its connectivity's become intermittent at best. There's no real fixing this; you'll need to replace whatever the problem is.

Shop OEM Brake Lights at VW Kearny Mesa Parts in San Diego CA

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