If you live in Rittman I'm sure you've noticed Jack (the Jetta) has been looking rather winky. She had one headlight out for quite some time.
She also had a tail light/brake light out as well.
I can't really complain. This is the first 'repairs' I've had to do on her.
I have changed headlights before and wasn't too concerned.
Until I looked under the hood to see where the bulb should go. Then I recalled that as amazing as VW are, they are equally as frustrating to fix.
So I shut the lid hoping the bulb would all of a sudden start working again.
It didn't.
Because I am going to be driving to Hartford in a few weeks I thought it might be a good time to get them fixed.
I heard that some auto parts stores will install things if you buy them there.
So after working this morning I ran to one of them and bought the bulbs. (after I found out I had 1 of 3 brake lights working.) Of course it was a woman who helped me so I had to feel ridiculous and ask her for her help.
She said she could but needed a few minutes to help the others in line behind me.
I sat in my car and ate lunch and decided to flip through the car manual.
This is what I found on the page of 'installing new lights':
Because installation of new bulbs is becoming increasingly more difficult and special tools and bulbs are required, it is suggested that you go to a Volkswagen Dealership and purchase the bulb there for installation.
I groaned. I don't have the time or the money to go to a dealership.
A minute later she came out. I told her what I read and we then looked under the hood (couldn't figure it out) and in the trunk (couldn't see any access there either).
Frustrated I left to finish my other errands.
After I picked the kids up from school, something made me decide to just figure it out myself.
Reagan and I unscrewed a few things, pulled a few wires, unclipped some clips, and PULLED OUT THE DEAD BULB! I switched the bulbs and put it back together. I had grease all over my hands, but all my fingernails were intact and none were broken. (Let's not forget the important things).
I knew the brake lights might be a little bit harder considering there was no access to the bulb. I decided to use YouTube at that point.
I found an awesome video with a very helpful gentleman with a fabulous eastern accent.
I watched the first 30 seconds of it and then yelled for Reagan and headed back out.
Apparently there is a hidden panel in Jack's trunk that opens to the bulbs.
It took about 20 minutes and quite a few times of Reagan hitting the brakes, but we got 'er figured out!
It felt so awesome to first of all have lights, second of all to know that I did it myself, but most of all because I defied the owners manual and didn't take it to the dealership. Haha.
It just felt good knowing that I did something I was afraid to try. Sounds weird, but car stuff scares me. I kept putting it off because it seemed to big for me and then I aced it (with Reagan's help).
Makes me wonder what else I can accomplish if I would just try.
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