Tail Light LED clusters failing

[pandas]

Hi guys

Not sure if anyone else has had a similar issues with their B6, however it appears that some of the LEDs are failing to light properly, in clusters of 4 where there appears to be a lag when lighting up. Thought it was the tail itself and managed to snap up one from the wreckers which worked fine for a little while; however the issue has appeared again. Is it that coincidental that I have 2 failing lights, or would anyone know if something else may be causing this?

[Umai Naa!!]

It's fairly common.

All you can do is keep throwing new lamp assemblies at the car. As far as I know, everything is quite sealed up, and cannot be repaired.

[pandas]

when you say new lamp assemblies, do you mean tail lights as a whole? Would you have any referencing threads?

I did a little research from my end, and apparently the ground pin is prone to burn and need cleaning or replacing. Came from a Audi/VW forum though so not sure if it would relate to the Passat, I've tried cleaning it with WD40 contact cleaner without luck.

[Umai Naa!!]

Yes, complete tail lights.

The solder breaks down on the printed circuit boards in them, and the LEDs no longer illuminate. Unfortnunately, it's all sealed up, and can't be repaired.

[mercury260]

On my old gt forester a standard mod was to paint the internal headlight surround black to look like an sti headlight. To get access you put the whole assembly in the oven for about 10 mins and it is enough to temporarily soften the glue and pull it apart. You do the work and then join it back up in the oven repeating the process. If u already have a spare you could give similar a try and put up a diy if it works out?

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[kamold]

The tail light surrounds are certainly able to be cracked open. They are by no means designed to be user serviceable however.
I've opened my inner tails to add the second set of led rings.
You can use a heat gun (hair dryer) or oven to soften the glue then carefully pry the two outer parts apart with pry tools and a screwdriver.
I used a 2 part epoxy to reseal them.
Been 2 years and no water ingress.

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[mercury260]

Nice one. Makes sense

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