Looked at your step by step video on how to change the day light running bulb. Your video was so thorough down to the tools needed and I was able to head to my nearest auto parts store and purchase the Torx #25 and the bulb. In under 30mins I changed the bulb and was so proud of myself. You have saved me $45 on a mechanic cost alone. Thank you.
No joke. I worked at Valvoline for 2 years and did hundreds of bulbs on all sorts of cars. Now I’m in my driveway with my own VW and can’t get that V shape twisted
FOR PASSENGER SIDE: Great video and instructions on how to replace running light. For the passenger side, however, these tips may help. -Turn wheels to the LEFT. -My cover had a screw that uses a hex tip or flat head screwdriver. -Remove cover, remove cap, pull out assembly, and replace light bulb as shown. Once new bulb is in the housing, turn the car on to be certain the new light works before you attempt to lock it into place! -When reinstalling the bulb, the "V"on the housing needs to point DOWN and then you can turn it (i believe) counter clockwise. to lock it into place. -Replace cap and cover as shown. -Be gad you did this on your own instead of paying the dealership!
I've got to find me one of them hoseless air ratchets. That thing is slick and Sounds like it's got some torque to it. Thanks for the video well demonstrated
Awesome video, it was very helpful. I agree with most here that the placement and configuration for access is rather cruel and unusual punishment. I was able to do it but not without some scrapes and cuts. It was certainly not fast. My Passat is 10 years old now and this is the first time I've needed the bulbs replaced (used LED). I do think it would be easier if I had the tire removed. Regardless, thank you for the well done video.
Glad some of the comments addressed the issue of the passenger side DRL. It is much harder than the driver side. Seems like most of these videos only do the driver side and then talk about how easy it is.
Really liked the instructional video, though my vw was a torx 20, not 25. && make sure when you're twisting the cap off, you don't let go because it falls all the way down and you have to unscrew the screws along the wheel.
I finally changed out my day time running bulb on my 2014 Passat TSI SE and it was as easy as you made it look. I do wish the bulb socket "V" was pointed downward on mine because it was a tad tricky to get the bulb all the way out, but it was a lot easier getting the bulb back in. Only paid 8.99 for a pack of 2. I only needed a stubby flat head screw driver (2" long) instead of the star bit to take off the cover because the nut had the flat head option on it, so that was a relief. Thanks for the video.
First off horrible design on the part of VW. I replaced the passenger side DRL, BE WARNED - it is much more difficult than this video suggests. Some below commented that even trained VW techs had to take the headlight housing out in order to replace DRL. On 2013 PASSATs - The V shape when positioning DRL light back into headlight housing needs to face DOWNWARD not upward as the video suggested. The tricky part is not taking the bulb out and sticking the new bulb in, but putting the socket back into the headlight housing is super difficult. There is not enough space for average sized hands and the video never mentions the fact that the DRL socket is triangular shape with a pin on one end that will only allow you to lock the DRL socket back in place if you get the position of this little pin 100% right. In the end, I had to remove the front grille in order to take out the whole headlight housing and after being able to see the design I was able to position it and lock in the DRL socket. Also, it is super easy to dislodge the bulb from the DRL socket as you are trying to lock it back in place. Once your bulb dislodges into headlight housing (happened to me) only way to get it back out is by removing the headlight housing.
Which is why I'll never be purchasing a VW product again - their design approach is needlessly complicated. Just wish I could get that nice little turbo in something that is a far less likely to cause migraines during routine maintenance.
Thank you for the illustration. nice and clear. I have a 2011 Tiguan, the light malfunction light came on the other day, but the front light assembly has only three bulbs, for high and low bean and turn signal, I have no idea what the fourth horizontal one came from and what for. I spend hours researching, until watching your video. It has to be it. Will check tomorrow. Thank you!
Finally with the help of channel locks got the v twisted back and the light out only to drop the round piece into the body so I'm going to take the tire off tomorrow and take the casing from around the tire and have access to this thing it will not beat me.
Overall good video but doesn’t explain how to remove bulb socket on passenger side - mine is extremely difficult to get out without breaking. I had to remove headlight housing completely bc tank is in the way to get at passenger DT running light using method in video
I’m at the Clovis VW dealership now getting one day time running light replaced. Service girl told me it’s a complicated process and takes about 30 minutes. LOL.
Thanks guys very informative though I'm still struggling to locate on the bottom of my t6 multivan lights, I can reach down there but can't feel anything like a light, any suggestions? Thanks in advance
Be aware on the passenger side you turn the assembly clockwise, looking forward, to remove. I fought it for an hour before catching this. To complete this easily you need baby hands with gorilla strength.
I have done this twice, once on my 2012 TDI years ago and I forgot how miserable of job it was. That time the bulb came out of the socket into the headlight unit. It was horrid to extract it - a rubber hose sucking to make a vacuum as I recall. Now I had a bulb fail on my 2015 TDI. I wound up pulling the wheel so I could see. I think that the direction to turn the little wing are opposite on sides? Is that true?. My hands would not fit. Built a little tool to twist it in. I think the engineer that designed this should get a short, possibly 2-5 year prison sentence..
Exactly my thoughts, they make this miserable so you let the dealer do it or get another car. I literally think they have sharp metal to cut into your hands why you try to remove/install this part. I'm sure the head honchos ordered the engineers to create this. The tail lights in the trunk are also a royal pan to remove.
I just changed mine out today and I dropped the light into the housing, couldn’t get it out so I had to take my headlight off and dump out the light, it was terrible
Ooohhh!!! This helped me, I'm going to try the vacuum. Someone changed the bulb for me, but it fell out and is sitting inside the headlamp assembly. Ty ty ty
I recently changed out the driver headlight bulb but the warning light is still on for my 2017 Jetta SEL. I recently had a head lamp replaced and believe the DRL bulb on the driver side it a LED bulb, could that be the issue? Help!
Hi, i get replace it as you described, but for some reason didn't work , I'll try different bulb and doesn't work, passenger side works perfectly. What's your thoughts about it ? Do you think is a burn fuse ? Waiting for your reply, thanks
I just pulled out the entire assembly both sides took 30mins vs the 20mins of cutting up my big hands only to have the bulb come loose inside the assembly.
I attempted to use the techniques in this video on my 2013 Jetta. The compartment was not in my wheel-well. It was on the inside behind my lights next to/underneath my fuse box. I feel like this video would be helpful because I wouldn't have known to check under the wheel-well for a compartment to change lights, but it doesn't work for my 2013 Jetta. Probably more accurate for the Passats than the Jettas. I advise if you're seeking Jetta help that you look elsewhere.
Good tutorial but I have a 2015 Touareg and need to replace the daytime running lights, looks like led strip. Can you help with that, I hope so. Thank you
So i went with my wife to our local VW dealer for it's annual oil change and tire rotation. The driver side drl also needed replacement on her 2013 Jetta. Normally it's an hour. The sevice agent said the technician apparently was having trouble with the standard drl process so the "master technician" told the technician to take off the grill and bumper instead to replace the bulb. When I explained the process in this video to The service agent, he apologized again for the time being taken and said the technician would be through soon.
Does NOT work on 2011 Jettas. Not sure when VW made the changes (access panel in wheel well), but they're not on an '11. Two aids really help though. Use need nose pliers to reach and apply the twisting force necessary for removal. Then, before inserting the new bulb, spritz WD-40 around the perimeter of the socket (not in the center/contacts area). Insert bulb, then insert socket into car. the WD-40, also with needle nose pliers again if necessary, makes it far easier to twist back into place.
Hey Adam, my 2013 Passat SE is having some problems with the turn signals. The bulbs are new, I just replaced them but still it won't work. All the fuses seem to be ok. Any advise? Thanks sir
Hear me! Whoever designed this is a being of true evil... with tiny hands! This video helped me greatly, but I have a couple of pointers of my own: (1) It's easier to loosen the screw if you turn the wheel the other way, otherwise the screwdriver won't fit, (2) Have a headlamp handy. Even with abundance of ambient light this was a must for me, (3) The "V" seating must be turned before it can be removed, (4) The bulb is easier to insert with one hand, hope you are good with your fingers... (5) Don't drop the bulb, it *will not* come out under the car, (6) I imagine that (like me) it will take you 30 minutes with first bulb and 5 minutes with the second.
I completely agree. That guy must have toddler hands. Ain't no way in hell can an average size hand get passed the cover and pull the bulb outta that tiny little hole... He should have made a disclaimer that this tutorial is for people withy tiny hand syndrome or something...
My 2014 passenger side for the DRL was inaccessible due to the washer fluid reservoir blocking the cap from coming down. I had to remove the headlights , with T30 bits and T25. Not a bad job either way.
Thanks for your comment! While it isn't quite as imperative as with headlights, its still a good idea to avoid getting oil from your hands on the bulbs, so try not to touch the bulb or wear gloves when handling it.
I used a small hose with coat hanger section taped to it for stability. Then attached it to vacuum cleaner to suck it out. Got pretty good at it after about a dozen rescue missions.
Good info but my 2015 Jetta SE did not have the secret compartment inside the wheel well. Also, the cover was very difficult to turn so had to take the fuse box cover off to give myself a tiny bit more wiggle room and finally go the cover to turn. My hands barely fit in the hole and the running light connection was also a bit difficult to turn. The bulb too was different. More like a more conventional bulb. Anyway, too bad VW could not stick with a good idea like they had with the Passat.
