2021 Volkswagen Golf Owners Manual - Changing bulbs

Changing bulbs

Introduction

This chapter contains information on the following subjects:

 → Indicator lamp

 → Information on changing bulbs

 → Changing bulbs in the halogen headlights

 → Changing bulbs in xenon headlights

 → Changing bulbs in the front bumper

 → Changing bulbs in the tail light cluster in the tailgate

 → Changing bulbs in the tail light cluster in the body

 → Changing the bulb in the number plate light

Changing the vehicle bulbs requires considerable technical skill. If you do not feel confident with the procedure, Volkswagen recommends that you have the bulbs changed by a Volkswagen dealership, or that you seek other expert assistance. You must contact a qualified workshop if other vehicle parts around the lights need to be removed, or if gas discharge bulbs need to be replaced.

You should keep a box with spare light bulbs for the lights that ensure the vehicle is roadworthy in the vehicle at all times. Spare bulbs are available from Volkswagen dealerships. In some countries it is a legal requirement to have these spare bulbs in the vehicle.

It may be illegal to drive with a defective bulb in the exterior lighting.

Additional bulb specifications

Some bulbs in headlights or in tail light clusters might have factory specifications that are different to standard bulbs. The designation is inscribed on the bulb, either on the glass part or on the base.

Additional information and warnings:

• Exterior views

• Lights and vision

• Preparation for working in the engine compartment

• Vehicle toolkit

• Fuses

WARNING

Accidents can occur if roads are not sufficiently illuminated and other road users have difficulty seeing the vehicle, or cannot see it at all.

WARNING

Changing the bulb incorrectly can cause accidents and serious injuries.

• When working in the engine compartment, always read and observe the safety warnings . The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a dangerous area. Serious injuries can be sustained here.

• Gas discharge bulbs are operated by high voltage. If they are not handled properly, they can cause serious or fatal injuries.

• H7 and gas discharge bulbs are pressurised and can explode when they are being changed.

• Only change the defective bulb once it has had time to cool down completely.

• Never change a bulb unless you are familiar with the procedure. If you are uncertain of what to do, the work should be carried out by a qualified workshop.

• Do not touch the glass part of the bulb with unprotected fingers. When the light is switched on, heat will cause fingerprints to evaporate on the bulb, which in turn will cause the reflector to dim.

• There are sharp-edged parts in the headlight housing in the engine compartment and on the tail light cluster housing. Protect your hands when changing bulbs.

NOTICE

Damage to the electrical system can be caused by water entering the system if the rubber covers or plastic caps on the headlight housing are not properly mounted after a bulb has been changed.

Indicator lamp

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings

Lit up	Possible cause	Solution
	There is a defective bulb in the vehicle's exterior lighting (excluding bend lightinga)) b).	Change the defective bulb.

Goes out	Possible cause	Solution
	A trailer turn signal or all trailer lights have stopped working.	Change the defective bulb or check the trailer lights.

Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a functional check when the ignition is switched on. They will switch off after a few seconds.

Monitoring of the light bulbs on the trailer

For vehicles with a factory-fitted towing bracket, the vehicle will also monitor certain bulbs on a trailer which has been connected properly via the trailer socket.

If a trailer turn signal or all the trailer lights fail, the indicator lamp  in the instrument cluster will go out .

If a turn signal in the trailer fails, the indicator lamp ( or ) in the instrument cluster will flash twice as fast .

• Failure of all turn signals on one side.

• Failure of the tail light on one side (in some models, failure of the licence plate light).

• Failure of both brake lights.

WARNING

Failure to observe illuminated warning lamps and text messages can lead to your vehicle breaking down in traffic, and can cause accident and serious injury.

• Never ignore any illuminated warning lamps or text messages.

• Stop the vehicle as soon as possible and when safe to do so.

NOTICE

Failure to observe illuminated indicator lamps and text messages can lead to your vehicle being damaged.

If a light emitting diode (LED) in the tail light cluster fails, a warning is not given. If all LEDs fail, this is indicated by the indicator lamp .

^a) A separate display appears in the instrument cluster if there is a bend lighting fault.

^b) Displayed in colour on an instrument cluster with colour display.

Information on changing bulbs

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings

Checklist

Always carry out the following actions for changing a bulb in the given order :

• 

  Park the vehicle on a firm and level surface at a safe distance from the flow of traffic.

• 

  Switch on the electronic parking brake Braking, stopping and parking Brakes Parking .

• 

  Turn the light switch to position 0 Lights Lights .

• 

  Shift the turn signal lever to neutral Lights Lights .

• 

  Automatic gearbox: move the selector lever to position P Changing gear Changing gear Automatic gearbox see Automatic gearbox_0 Automatic gearbox see Changing gear_0 Automatic gearbox Manual gearbox see Changing gear_0 Manual gearbox .

• 

  Stop the engine and remove the key from the ignition Starting and stopping the engine Engine and ignition Ignition see Engine and ignition_0 .

• 

  Manual gearbox: select a gear Changing gear Changing gear Automatic gearbox see Automatic gearbox_0 Automatic gearbox see Changing gear_0 Automatic gearbox Manual gearbox see Changing gear_0 Manual gearbox .

• 

  Switch off the orientation lighting Lights Lights .

• 

  Leave the defective bulbs to cool down.

• 

  Check to see if a fuse has blown Fuses Fuses .

• 

  Follow the instructions to change the affected bulb . Always use identical bulbs with the same designation. The designation is inscribed on the bulb, either on the glass part or on the base.

• 

  Do not touch the glass part of the bulb with unprotected fingers. The heat of the bulb would cause the fingerprint to evaporate and condense on the reflector. This will impair the brightness of the headlight.

• 

  After changing the bulb, check to ensure that the bulb is working properly. If the bulb is not working properly, the bulb may not have been inserted properly or may have failed again, or the connector may have been inserted incorrectly.

• 

  Any time you change a bulb in the front of the vehicle, the headlight settings should be checked by a qualified workshop.

WARNING

Ignoring any of the items on this important safety checklist can lead to accidents and severe injuries.

• Always follow the instructions in the checklist and observe the general safety procedures.

NOTICE

Always take care when removing or fitting lights to prevent damage to the paintwork or to other vehicle parts.

Changing bulbs in the halogen headlights

Fig. 234 In the engine compartment: covers on the left front headlight ① dipped beam, ② main beam, side lights and daytime running lights, ③ turn signal

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings

The front headlight does not need to be removed when changing bulbs.

The actions should only be carried out in the specified order:
	①	②		③
	Dipped beam headlights	Side light (small bulb holder)	Main beam/daytime running lights or daytime headlights	Front turn signal
1.	Observe and follow the instructions on the checklist.
2.	Open the bonnet .
3.	Remove the rubber cover on the rear of the headlight. Depending on the model, a hard plastic cover may also be fitted. Turn the cover anticlockwise and remove it.
4.	Turn the bulb holder anticlockwise as far as it will go and carefully pull it out to the rear along with the bulb.			Pull the bulb holder and the bulb out to the rear, and carefully guide them sideways out of the opening.
5.	Replace the defective bulb with a new bulb of the same type.
6.	With the retaining lug facing upwards B ①, insert the bulb holder into the headlight and turn it clockwise as far as it will go.			Carefully insert the bulb holder into the headlight and push it towards the front until it clicks into place.
7.	Attach the rubber cover or hard plastic cover and turn it clockwise as far as it will go.

The illustrations show the left-hand headlight from the rear. The right-hand headlight is a mirror image of the one shown.

There are various types of front headlight, so the position and design of covers, bulbs and bulb holders may vary from those shown in the illustrations.

It is not possible to change the LEDs of a daytime running light with LED technology. Proceed to a qualified workshop.

Changing bulbs in xenon headlights

Fig. 235 In the engine compartment: ① cover in left-hand xenon headlight, ② cornering light, ③ turn signal, ④ side light and daytime running light

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings

The front headlight does not need to be removed when changing bulbs.

The actions should only be carried out in the specified order:
	②	③	④
	Cornering light	Front turn signal	Side light and daytime running light (only bi-xenon headlights)
1.	Observe and follow the instructions on the checklist.
2.	Open the bonnet .
3.	Remove the rubber cover ① on the rear of the headlight. Depending on the model, a hard plastic cover may also be fitted. Turn the cover anticlockwise and remove it.
4.	Push down on the bulb holder until it engages. Pull the bulb and bulb holder out to the rear.	Turn the bulb holder anticlockwise as far as it will go and pull it out to the rear along with the bulb.	Use the grip handle to pull the bulb and bulb holder out to the rear.
5.	Replace the defective bulb with a new bulb of the same type.
6.	Insert the bulb holder into the headlight and push it to the front until it disengages.	Insert the bulb holder into the headlight and turn it clockwise as far as it will go.	Insert the bulb holder into the headlight and push it to the front until it engages.
7	Put the rubber cover on.

The illustrations show the left-hand headlight from the rear. The right-hand headlight is a mirror image of the one shown.

There are various types of front headlight, so the position and design of covers, bulbs and bulb holders may vary from those shown in the illustrations.

It is not possible to change the LEDs in a side light or daytime running light fitted with LED technology. Proceed to a qualified workshop.

Changing bulbs in the front bumper

Fig. 236 In the front right wheel housing liner: changing a bulb in the headlight

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings

Before changing the bulb in the left-hand headlight, turn the steering wheel all the way to the right. Before changing the bulb in the right-hand headlight, turn the steering wheel all the way to the left.

There are various types of headlight, so the position and design of covers, bulbs and bulb holders may vary from those shown in the illustrations.

It is not possible to change the LEDs in lights with LED technology. Proceed to a qualified workshop.

Changing bulbs in the tail light cluster in the tailgate

Fig. 237 In the tailgate: removing the cover

Fig. 238 In the tailgate: removing the bulb holder

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings

There are various types of rear light, so the position and design of covers, bulbs and bulb holders may vary from those shown in the illustrations.

In tail lights with LED technology, the reversing light is fitted with a normal bulb. This bulb can be changed.

Changing bulbs in the tail light cluster in the body

Fig. 239 On the side of the luggage compartment: removing the tail light cluster

Fig. 240 Tail light cluster in the body: removing the bulb holder ① to ⑤: release tabs

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings

The steps should only be carried out in the specified order.

Removing the tail light cluster

Changing the bulb

Fitting the tail light cluster

There are various types of rear light, so the position and design of covers, bulbs and bulb holders may vary from those shown in the illustrations.

In tail lights with LEDs, some light elements may be fitted with normal bulbs. These bulbs can be changed.

Changing the bulb in the number plate light

Fig. 241 In the rear bumper: number plate light

Fig. 242 Number plate light: removing the bulb holder

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings

There are various types of number plate lights, so the design of the bulb holder may vary from those shown in the illustrations.

It is not possible to change the LEDs in number plate lights with LED technology. Proceed to a qualified workshop.