How to Change the Rear Signal Light on a 2007 Volkswagen Beetle

The Volkswagen Beetle made its triumphant return to the U.S. marketplace in 1998 after a 19-year absence. Between 1980 and 2003, Volkswagen still produced the rear-engine, air-cooled Beetle, but only in select marketplaces. The New Beetle, as VW dubbed it, was a front-engine, liquid-cooled format but retained a similar styling to the original Beetle. Due to the unusual shape of the 2007 Beetle's rear end, replacing the rear turn signal light may seem tougher than it actually is.

Instructions

1

Open the Beetles rear hatch and find the round access panel on the rear hatch trim, directly behind the taillight assembly. Pry this trim panel outward with a flat-head screwdriver to remove it, exposing the plastic nut securing the taillight assembly.

2

Unscrew the plastic nut by hand and place it in a secure location.

3

Apply a strip of painters masking tape on the vehicle's body around the inner edge of the taillight lens to protect your Beetles paint. Pry outward on the inner edge of the taillight lens with a plastic trim wedge to pop the taillight assembly free. Pivot the taillight assembly outward, then pull it from its cavity.

4

Pivot the lower light socket, which is the turn signal socket, counterclockwise to unlock it and pull the turn signal socket and bulb from the taillight lens assembly.

5

Press downward on the turn signal bulb and rotate it about a quarter-turn counterclockwise to unlock it. Pull the bulb from the socket, paying close attention to the positioning of the metal protrusions on the metal base of the bulb, as you must install the new bulb with its protrusions facing the same direction.

6

Guide a new 7528LL style bulb into its socket with the metal protrusions on its base facing the same direction as they were on the old bulb, using a clean, lint-free cloth to keep your bare hands off the bulb. Press downward on the bulb and rotate it clockwise a quarter-turn to lock it into place.

7

Insert the turn signal socket and new bulb into the taillight lens assembly and rotate the socket clockwise to lock it into place.

8

Insert the two tabs on the outer part of the taillight lens assembly into the taillight assemblys cavity in the body, guiding the lower tab into its cutout in the cavity. Pivot the inner part of the taillight lens assembly toward the taillight lens cavity, then press the inner part of the taillight toward the Beetles body to snap its retaining clip into place.

9

Tighten the plastic nut onto the stud on the rear of the taillight lens assembly, via the access hole in the rear hatch trim. Press the access panel back into place on the rear hatch trim and close the hatch.

10

Remove the painters masking tape from around the taillight lens.