The Volkswagen Jetta hit showrooms in the U.S. in 1980. In the 1985 model year, Volkswagen redesigned the Jetta and found success, as this model became the best-selling European car in North America. For the fourth generation -- between 1998 and 2005 -- Volkswagen redesigned the popular Jetta. This redesign retained the basic styling of the Jetta, but gave it smoother lines and added in more stylish headlights and taillights. Volkswagen made replacing the taillight in the Jetta easy by adding an access door in the trunk.
Instructions
- 1
Open the Jetta's trunk and locate the access door cut in the trunk's trim, behind the taillight assembly. Open this access door to expose the taillight assembly bulb plate.
2Squeeze the tabs on both sides of the taillight assembly bulb plate and pull it from the taillight assembly.
3Press down on the taillight bulb -- the center bulb in the taillight assembly bulb plate -- and twist the bulb counterclockwise to unlock it. Pull the bulb from the taillight assembly bulb plate. Pay close attention to the positioning of the tabs on the metal base of the bulb. These tabs are staggered, and you must position the new bulb in the same manner.
4Grab a new 5007 bulb, using a clean, lint-free cloth, and insert it in the taillight assembly bulb plate, in the same position formerly held by the old bulb. Press down on the bulb and turn it clockwise to lock it in place.
5Set the taillight assembly bulb plate back on the taillight assembly and press it until it snaps into place. Close the taillight access door and close the trunk.
