2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA light

Changing light bulbs

WARNING
Improper replacement of burned out headlights and other light bulbs can cause serious
personal injury.
x Stop! Always read and heed the WARNINGS before doing any work in the engine
compartment . The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a potentially dangerous area,
and work in this area can lead to serious personal injury.
x HID – High Intensity Discharge (Xenon) headlights get power from a high voltage source
that can cause severe personal injury and even death if handled improperly.
x H7 bulbs and HID – High Intensity Discharge (Xenon) headlights are under high pressure
and can explode if handled improperly.
x Always let a burned out light bulb cool down before replacing it.
x Never replace a light bulb unless you are familiar with all of the necessary procedures. In
particular, never remove a headlight unless you know exactly how to carry out the job and
have the correct tools and light bulbs.
x If you are uncertain about what to do, have the work performed by an authorized
Volkswagen dealer, an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility, or another qualified
workshop. Serious personal injury may result from improperly performed work.
x We strongly recommend that you always have HID – High Intensity Discharge (Xenon)
headlights and H7 bulbs replaced by a qualified technician.
x Do not touch the glass of light bulbs with your bare hands. Fingerprints left on the bulb
evaporate due to the heat when the bulb is switched on and cause the reflector to “cloud.”
x There are sharp edges on and around the headlight housing in the engine compartment
and the rear light housing. Wear hand protection if you replace bulbs.

NOTICE
After replacing a headlight bulb or other light bulb, always make sure that the rubber covers or
plastic caps have been properly and securely reinstalled to help prevent water from getting
into the electrical connections and headlight housing and damaging the electrical system.
Indicator light

WARNING
Failure to heed warning lights and instrument cluster text messages can cause the vehicle to
break down in traffic and result in a collision and serious personal injury.
x Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.
x Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
Failure of a single LED within a taillight is not indicated. However, the indicator light will come
on if all LEDs fail.

Information on light bulb replacement

Changing taillight bulbs in the luggage compartment lid

Fig. 175 In the luggage compartment lid. A: Removing the taillight cover. B: Removing the taillight assembly.

Fig. 176 Taillight assembly. A: Removing the bulb holder. B: Removing the light bulb.

Please carry out each step only in the order specified:
5. Press together the release tabs for the connector plug B (2) in the direction of the
arrow and pull the connector plug off.
6. Unlock the bulb holder by pressing the locking tabs in direction of the arrow ⇒fig. 176
A and remove the bulb holder from the taillight assembly.
7. Replace the burned out light bulb with a new bulb of the same type B.
8. Reinsert the bulb holder in the taillight assembly. The locking tabs must latch with an
audible “click”.
9. Attach the connector plug ⇒fig. 175 B (2) to the bulb holder.
10.
Carefully reinsert the taillight assembly into the opening in the luggage compartment
lid. Hold the rear light assembly with one hand in the installation position and with the
other hand, tighten the fastening screws B (3).
11. Check the taillight assembly for proper installation and secure fit.
12. Attach the cover. The cover must latch tightly and securely into place.
13. Close the luggage compartment lid

LEDs in the taillights in the luggage compartment lid
Changing LEDs is not possible without dismantling vehicle components. Contact an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Different models may have different lights, and the location and design of covers, bulb holders,
and bulbs may be in a different location than shown in the illustrations.

x Turn on the ignition of the vehicle with the dead battery. If the engine starts, wait 2 to 3 minutes
until it “runs smoothly” before removing the jumper cables as described below ⇒. If the engine
does not start within about 10 seconds, turn off the ignition and wait at least 1 minute; then try again.
Before removing the jumper cables
x Switch off the headlights (if they are on).
x In the vehicle with the dead battery, switch on the heater fan and the rear window defroster. This
helps to minimize voltage spikes when the cables are disconnected.
Removing jumper cables
With the engine running, remove the jumper cables in reverse order to the way they were connected.
1. Disconnect the black (-) cable from the vehicle with the dead battery.
2. Disconnect the black (-) cable from the other vehicle (vehicle with the good battery).
3. Disconnect the red (+) cable from the other vehicle (vehicle with the good battery).
4. Disconnect the red (+) cable from the vehicle with the dead battery.
5. Close the battery cover.
6. If necessary, unscrew the towing eye on the front of the vehicle .

WARNING
Improper use of jumper cables when jump-starting a vehicle with a dead battery can cause
the battery to explode, leading to serious personal injury. To help reduce the risk of battery
explosion:
x All work on the batteries or the electrical system in your vehicle can cause serious acid
burns, fires, or electrical shocks. Always read and heed the following WARNINGS and safety
precautions before working on the batteries or the electrical system , Vehicle battery.
x Always wear proper eye protection. Never lean over the vehicle battery.
x Attach the jumper cables in the correct order: first the positive cable, then the negative
cable.
x Never connect the negative cable from the vehicle providing starting assistance to parts
of the fuel system or to the brake hoses or brake lines.
x Never allow the non-insulated parts of the battery clamps to touch.
x Never allow the jumper cable attached to the positive battery terminal to contact metal
parts of the vehicle.
x Check the battery acid level indicator window on the vehicle battery. Use a flashlight,
never a match, cigarette lighter, or other open flame. If you cannot see the color of the
window clearly, or if it is light yellow or colorless, do not jump-start the vehicle. Get expert
assistance.
x Avoid electrostatic discharge in the vicinity of the vehicle battery. Sparks may cause the
hydrogen gas escaping from the vehicle battery to ignite.
x Never jump-start a vehicle with a battery that is damaged or frozen or that was frozen and
has thawed. The battery can explode. Replace the battery instead.
x Always follow the instructions of the jumper cable manufacturer.
x Always make sure that the battery providing starting assistance has the same voltage as
the dead battery (12 V) and about the same capacity (see battery label).
x Batteries give off explosive hydrogen gas. Always keep fire, sparks, open flame and
smoking materials away from batteries.
x Never connect the negative cable from the other vehicle directly to the negative terminal
of the dead battery. The hydrogen gas from the battery is explosive.
x Never short out the battery terminals by connecting the positive (+) and negative (-)
terminals with each other.