Boot light not working....

[StreetTriple]

Today was the 1st chance I have had to actually to over my new polo. Gave it a good wash and clean and realised that black cars look great show up every single slight scratch.....I think this car is going to do my OCD much good

Anyway I de-badged the back both the 1.4 and the Polo so it looks much cleaner from the rear and also confused folk...most of my pals thought it was a golf!

Anyway I noticed that the rear boot light isn't working no biggie but i like everything to be working on my cars! I swapped the bulb and still no joy. So is there something silly that I am missing? Whereabouts I'd the switch on these newer Polos it could be as simple as that is jammed as the boot looks like it has never been used!

Thanks again for all of your help so far!!

[Mart!n-GTI-DK]

The switch is build into the boot lock...

[StreetTriple]

Can anybody supply me with a fuse which would cover the rear boot light?

I swapped the interiors bulb from under the dash (light up your feet) and the boot bulb worked perfectly and the other bulb didn't work in the boot-so it looks like there is no power getting to the boot wiring.

Any ideas??

[StreetTriple]

Anybody can assist with either the fuse number or an idea of the path where the wiring for the boot light goes to assist me in tracing it back.....I'm guessing there may be a break in the wiring or something unplugged??? Anybody assist with a wiring diagram?

Any other ideas?

[jammydodger]

It wouldn't be the fuse as its the same fuse as the sidelights, number plate lights and other interior lights. I'd just take it to VW presuming its still under warranty.

[StreetTriple]

It's a 2010 model that I just bought so No....warranty is out!

Thanks for that-at least that's the fuse ruled out!

I am fairly happy spannering on my car but I just need a hint as to where to start looking. The car is immaculate so I'm hoping that something is stuck or jammed rather than something bigger that's why I was looking for a wiring diagram and an idea as to where the actual light switch is for the boot.

Anybody?

[Malcolm Scott]

StreetTriple, I had exactly the same problem with my TSI.

The faulty component turned out to be the boot latch (ie the component at the bottom of the tailgate, not the staple attached to the sill or the VW badge assembly).

To access this, the internal trim panel needs to be removed using some kind of lever wrapped in tape to avoid paintwork damage. It is secured with a number of clips around the periphery and a couple of screws in the handles used to close the tailgate. The latch itself is secured using bolts similar to Torx but with more flutes.

In my case the supplying dealer carried out the work under warranty - I believe the replacement part was about £30.

Hope this helps.

[StreetTriple]

Yeah that's a big help.

So I'm clear it the part on the tailgate NOT the part attached to the boot floor edge? So it's the interior trim of the tailgate that I'm disassembling to check the boot locking/handle/switch assembly (or in that area??)

Is that right? What was broken/damaged the actual switch or some other part of the assembly?

[Malcolm Scott]

Glad to be of some help, StreetTriple.

The first thing you will need to do is remove the tailgate trim panel. As I mentioned, this is held by a series of spring clips around the edge, plus a cuple of pozidriv screws in the finger recesses.

Some care needs to be exercised when removing this panel to avoid damage to the paintwork or the panel itself. I used a Sykes Pickavant tool (bought many years ago) which I wrapped in making tape.

Once the panel is off, you will see that the hatch release (the swivelling VW badge) has wires leading to it. You should also see wires leading to the latch itself (the bit you might knock your head on if you were particularly tall and the hatch was open). This is the component which the dealer replaced under warranty.

I have just checked my tool box and the fixings are described as "XZN bit set". I got mine off Amazon where they are listed as "Draper Expert 12769 5-piece 1/2-inch square drive multi-spline bit set". I paid £9.79 inc shipping.

It's well worth having a set at they are used extensively elsewhere on the car. Please be aware that TORX drivers have a different number of splines and may damage the fittings.

I have consulted the original dealer work sheet which described the job as "carried out replacement of boot latch". No part number was given.

That's as much as I can tell you, StreetTriple. Hope it helps.