Audi TT Mk2 Centre Brake Light LED removal & installation guide w/blackout LED (watch me break it!)

[@ianpgonzaga]

Did you find this guide helpful? Feedback is always appreciated! Also let me know what other fixes or mods you'd like me to cover :)

[@mikeunknown-xh5oh]

More Audi TT Mk2 guild please not many around that show the correct the way to do DIY step by step

[@mikeunknown-xh5oh]

Please link the part where to get it.

[@ianpgonzaga]

@@mikeunknown-xh5oh search google for Audi TT 8J 2006-2014 Third Central High Level Eed LED Brake Stop Light Lamp 8J0945097 Get smoked version

[@maxheadroom7687]

Just found your channel and have just bought an Audi roadster mk2. Found your commentary nice and clear and really enjoyed the video. Subscribed!👍🇦🇺WA.

[@ianpgonzaga]

@@maxheadroom7687 thanks Max! Congratulations on the purchase. They're great cars! I'd love to head over to WA one day with the TT3.6 !!!

[@maxheadroom7687]

@@ianpgonzaga if you come over you may not ever want to go back! Love your TT 3.6, not normally into black but yours really “shines”. Catching up with a lot of your videos so as to learn what I can (I’m a retired oldie but still young at heart!)😅

[@JustinBone]

Small suggestion for those watching; Leaving the back end of the car in the sun on a hot day or using a heat gun may make the adhesive a bit more maleable and forgiving. Also, though it'd be uncomfortable, you can consider trying to push the light out with the screw-post pegs. Perhaps put a metal nut on the light post-screw, and then use a socket sized for the nut to push it out. At least enough to get some space to easily work with a trim tool.

[@ianpgonzaga]

Perfect tip! Thank you Justin :) I wish you'd given me that tip before i did this mod. - but we live and learn!

[@JustinBone]

@@ianpgonzaga All a part of the experience! 😂

[@ianpgonzaga]

@@JustinBone 😅 Lucky I had the replacement on hand.

[@cameronrobin_]

Mate, thanks so much for this video, super useful and have just replaced my rear centre! Thanks!

[@ianpgonzaga]

@@cameronrobin_ oh nice one! Hope the replacement went better than mine and you didn't have to ruin the hell out of it. Haha

[@cameronrobin_]

@ haha, it did go all okay, getting the old one out was for sure the hardest bit. Feel great to have done it myself though and saved some money - thanks to your video!

[@swissjetpilot1542]

You can also pour a bit of 70% IPA (Isopropyl alcohol aka rubbing alcohol) around the light to help soften the adhesive gasket. Give it about 10-minutes to work effectively and add a bit more as needed. IPA won't hurt the paint and will just evaporate. Once the light is out, give the entire surface a good wipe down with fresh IPA to remove all of the old adhesive residue. I prefer IPA over household cleaning products (window cleaner, etc.) as they often leave a residue where IPA won't and completely evaporates leaving a nice clean surface for the new adhesive.

[@ianpgonzaga]

Wish I knew this beforehand hahaha

[@joethompson7684]

I did this mod to my TT. After about a month it stopped working and never quite fitted properly which let water leak into the boot. Quickly replaced with a new OEM unit now it’s back to normal.

[@ianpgonzaga]

Good to know Joe. I’ll keep an eye on mine !

[@ianmackay1125]

Thanks for showing the mistakes too. Very helpful

[@ianpgonzaga]

Hey Ian. Happy to help and hope your repair is successful!!

[@james-r]

Thanks for posting this, just completed mine. But what’s the plastic T shaped string hanging down 4:10 that’s also wrapped in foam? It was attached to the trim for some reason, I can’t work out what it’s purpose.

[@ianpgonzaga]

They are to hold the hatch plastic trim on the metal panel.

[@BENJAMIN_TTRS]

Could you not get the same effect from tinting the light with tint film

[@ianpgonzaga]

yeah you totally could. i'm not great with tinting stuff

[@nastazioromanos9531]

Use of a hair dryer for the adhesive makes things way easier.

[@ianpgonzaga]

Yes agree!!!

[@erilleeya]

Hi. First of all, great video! Learnt too a lot already! The issue I’m currently facing is it quite often intermittently functional! Most of the time, I just do a quick stop, pop up the boot, give it a small tap just underneath the boot handle then the center break light works again. But now its kinda pissed off at me and my routine technique doesn’t work at all. Suddenly, just before watching your vid, it lights up again! Obviously, the center break light is still ok, I had a pro wiring tech to check on the cables, quick connections etc. but still don’t know what’s wrong with intermittent thing?? Tell me what I’m missing here? ( and I really need to fix this ASAP because the inspection for road permit renewal is 1 month overdue!) 😅

[@ianpgonzaga]

Thanks for the nice words. If the plug itself is seated correctly then It sounds like something internal to your light is loose or a wiring issue somehwere you cannot see. Maybe try to follow the light wiring a little bit and not just check at the plug. Otherwise consider a replacement. :)

[@limitsize]

hi Ian .i have already replace the center light .have you try to change the main brake bulds?i tryed to change them with led can bus no error bulbs but never works.can you give me an advice how can make them work correct?thanks

[@ianpgonzaga]

Hi Kostas good question. I've only ever used traditional filament style bulbs for the brake lights. Never any errors.

[@limitsize]

@@ianpgonzaga Thanks mate!!

[@phakamasomdaka3428]

Hi, am struggling to open my boot… it gives an odd sound and it doesn’t open manually… it’s TT 2.0 tfsi 2013 model

[@ianpgonzaga]

Sounds like the mechanism is broken or something? Might need to change the part in the boot base to fix it. Will need to remove boot trims to see the part :)

[@mikedunn394]

Hi lan, now that some time has passed, are you still happy with the light? Is it still working well? Any leaks? Is it doing well with scratching/swirls? Thanks!

[@ianpgonzaga]

Hey Michael. I need to actually change it. The top half has delaminated. It still works and I'm not Getting any water ingress but it's no longer sitting flush.

[@StockWasa]

How about the error code on display? Does it show after change to blackout led?

[@ianpgonzaga]

Hi Wasabi. I never had an error on my dash for brake light :)

[@itscoconutsaregood]

A useful repair guide thanks.

[@ianpgonzaga]

Thanks coconuts!

[@m.-5839]

Thanks Ian! I just did mine too!

[@ianpgonzaga]

Hope you like it!! 😁

[@ro63rto]

Bright enough for a tail light but nowhere near bright enough as a third brake light. I do like how it disappears when off though.

[@ianpgonzaga]

Yeah the fact it cleans up the rear is the best part. Not sure what the road rules are in your country but down here if it functions like a brake light (doesn’t matter it’s brightness) and is visible as per this page - it’s all 👌🏽 roads-waterways.transport.nsw.gov.au/roads/safety-rules/warnings-hazards/lights-horns.html

[@c7uk]

@@ianpgonzaga There's nothing about brake lights on that link?

[@ianpgonzaga]

@@c7uk tail lights ;) They simply must function in their oem spot. We don’t have any regulations on “brightness level” as far as I know.

[@c7uk]

@@ianpgonzaga ...but 'Tail lights' aren't 'Brake lights' 😉 However, just FYI *The Australian Light Vehicle Standards Rules 2015* says of brake lights _"a brake light must show a red light visible 30 metres from the rear of the vehicle"_ I doubt that's visibe at that distance in daylight! Regardless though, I'd still want it brighter than it appears with the black lens - maybe you can open it up and fit brighter LEDs

[@ianpgonzaga]

@@c7uk ah there you go. Now I know that I can measure 30 metres out and have a look. Too hard basket to open it and add brighter LED’s now that it’s stuck down. I will probably break it again 😓

[@ericl0we547]

Great for a black colour car 👍 I like it.

[@ianpgonzaga]

I took the car out today. I really like the full blackout look in the rear.

[@c7uk]

Looks great when switched off (on a black car), but less than useful as a brake light - Unlike you, I definitely wouldn't describe them as _"nice and bright"_

[@BaoNamNT]

Thank for this video

[@robxgee2457]

I just tinted mine lol

[@ianpgonzaga]

Do you love it ? I really like the blackout look.

[@prxxnce_]

Most people just smoke em out with tints 🙄

[@JustinBone]

Light tints often have a lot of orange-peel look.

[@ianpgonzaga]

Hehehe. Clearly I am not most people 😅