How To Replace Daytime Running Lights on a VW Passat or Jetta | Eich Motor Company

At Eich Motor Company, we're all about solving your problems. We pride ourselves on being honest, original, and different, and those principles continue throughout our Volkswagen service department. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast, interested in learning about auto repairs, or simply need a quick tip on how to replace your daylight running lights, we're hear to help! Our video features a 2015 Volkswagen Passat, but, most Passats after 2012 and some Volkswagen Jettas have very similar processes for replacing your car's headlights. In fact, these steps are very similar to most Volkswagen models, so no matter what Volkswagen model you have, this video should help you tackle your DRL repair. Check out our maintenance menu below to make sure your vehicle has gotten all the maintenance it needs!
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[@Coolguysteve]

Every times this video gets a new view a german engineer is evil laughing is ass off. Thanks for the help!

[@InvalilD]

Need a mechanic with child sized hands and the grip strength of a rock climber

[@decoyoctopus9767]

😂😂😂

[@jeremyrosenberger8535]

No joke. I worked at Valvoline for 2 years and did hundreds of bulbs on all sorts of cars. Now I’m in my driveway with my own VW and can’t get that V shape twisted

[@InvalilD]

@@jeremyrosenberger8535 so the trick was to wrap your arms in a towel or rag and hold it in your fist as you go in

[@jeremyrosenberger8535]

Invalid I surrendered for today but I’ll try that out tomorrow. Thanks!

[@AfternoonProductions]

You need the right tools

[@MrSkitlesFiddles]

Love how you show this side and not the harder one

[@timothydrover877]

Awesome video, it was very helpful. I agree with most here that the placement and configuration for access is rather cruel and unusual punishment. I was able to do it but not without some scrapes and cuts. It was certainly not fast. My Passat is 10 years old now and this is the first time I've needed the bulbs replaced (used LED). I do think it would be easier if I had the tire removed. Regardless, thank you for the well done video.

[@XroorX]

What is the condition of leds today? I have expensive CREE leds that are still going strong on my Toyota. Thanks

[@shantejones6234]

Looked at your step by step video on how to change the day light running bulb. Your video was so thorough down to the tools needed and I was able to head to my nearest auto parts store and purchase the Torx #25 and the bulb. In under 30mins I changed the bulb and was so proud of myself. You have saved me $45 on a mechanic cost alone. Thank you.

[@gregboam8474]

I’m at the Clovis VW dealership now getting one day time running light replaced. Service girl told me it’s a complicated process and takes about 30 minutes. LOL.

[@FreebooterFox]

I'm sure it is, if you've got gorilla mitts.

[@lsdzheeusi]

Thank you for your help! Just did mine with your help. They must use child labor in the factory to get those in. My big meat hooks barely fit!

[@eflodel]

What bulb did you buy? incandescent or LED?

[@lsdzheeusi]

@@eflodel LED

[@tjcampbell811]

Super nice clear to follow video with great part hightlights - well done!

[@yamircruz7200]

Thank u man save my life I didn’t have no ideas I was thinking take the car to the dealer

[@amzarnacht6710]

That's what VW wants you to do... which is why they made it so needlessly complex to do routine stuff.

[@tclark108]

Thank you for this video! I would have never figured it out on my own.

[@TheVeryfunnydude]

First off horrible design on the part of VW. I replaced the passenger side DRL, BE WARNED - it is much more difficult than this video suggests. Some below commented that even trained VW techs had to take the headlight housing out in order to replace DRL. On 2013 PASSATs - The V shape when positioning DRL light back into headlight housing needs to face DOWNWARD not upward as the video suggested. The tricky part is not taking the bulb out and sticking the new bulb in, but putting the socket back into the headlight housing is super difficult. There is not enough space for average sized hands and the video never mentions the fact that the DRL socket is triangular shape with a pin on one end that will only allow you to lock the DRL socket back in place if you get the position of this little pin 100% right. In the end, I had to remove the front grille in order to take out the whole headlight housing and after being able to see the design I was able to position it and lock in the DRL socket. Also, it is super easy to dislodge the bulb from the DRL socket as you are trying to lock it back in place. Once your bulb dislodges into headlight housing (happened to me) only way to get it back out is by removing the headlight housing.

[@Rollo_26]

Bulb dislodged on me twice ...while head light assembly had to come off

[@amzarnacht6710]

Which is why I'll never be purchasing a VW product again - their design approach is needlessly complicated. Just wish I could get that nice little turbo in something that is a far less likely to cause migraines during routine maintenance.

[@FreebooterFox]

The red highlighting/lines are super helpful. Thank you!

[@mister8800]

I finally changed out my day time running bulb on my 2014 Passat TSI SE and it was as easy as you made it look. I do wish the bulb socket "V" was pointed downward on mine because it was a tad tricky to get the bulb all the way out, but it was a lot easier getting the bulb back in. Only paid 8.99 for a pack of 2. I only needed a stubby flat head screw driver (2" long) instead of the star bit to take off the cover because the nut had the flat head option on it, so that was a relief. Thanks for the video.

[@1wildmed]

Overall good video but doesn’t explain how to remove bulb socket on passenger side - mine is extremely difficult to get out without breaking. I had to remove headlight housing completely bc tank is in the way to get at passenger DT running light using method in video

[@jroddy1]

Love how he shows the easy part and edits out the part that's a bitch to get out the bulb.

[@CaptainO3E]

I really appreciated this video. It made the job a lot easier.

[@guitrich]

I'm not mechanically inclined. I couldn't do it. He made it looked easy. I took mine to the dealer when I had the car serviced. They didn't charge me.

[@OrganicGonzalez]

2015 daylight bulb upgrade tip. 7440 LED

[@benjaminzhou9503]

Thank you for the illustration. nice and clear. I have a 2011 Tiguan, the light malfunction light came on the other day, but the front light assembly has only three bulbs, for high and low bean and turn signal, I have no idea what the fourth horizontal one came from and what for. I spend hours researching, until watching your video. It has to be it. Will check tomorrow. Thank you!

[@michaelwilson2413]

I attempted to use the techniques in this video on my 2013 Jetta. The compartment was not in my wheel-well. It was on the inside behind my lights next to/underneath my fuse box. I feel like this video would be helpful because I wouldn't have known to check under the wheel-well for a compartment to change lights, but it doesn't work for my 2013 Jetta. Probably more accurate for the Passats than the Jettas. I advise if you're seeking Jetta help that you look elsewhere.

[@2SNesbit]

So i went with my wife to our local VW dealer for it's annual oil change and tire rotation. The driver side drl also needed replacement on her 2013 Jetta. Normally it's an hour. The sevice agent said the technician apparently was having trouble with the standard drl process so the "master technician" told the technician to take off the grill and bumper instead to replace the bulb. When I explained the process in this video to The service agent, he apologized again for the time being taken and said the technician would be through soon.

[@eichmotorcompany]

Glad our video helped!

[@zengtan05]

What type is the bulb used for the drl?

[@TwO-OldFaRtSoNabeach]

Thxs for all your informative videos , you make it easy have a great day. John 😊

[@turdferguson1945]

Not pictured: the part where you turn the v thing a quarter turn is nearly impossible, then inserting it back in and turning it is actually impossible, and when you try to do that, the bulb pops off into the headlight housing where you can never get it back. Just so you know.

[@homuraakemi9556]

Just spent 3 hours last night retrieving the bulb from the headlight...I'm just not replacing them at this point.

[@aprillmersadies9451]

Glad I'm not the only one with this issue. I have one brand new bulb stuck in the light and it's staying in wondering if I should just not even replace it at this point 2 hours later on and off trying and watching this video 10x and still no luck.

[@homuraakemi9556]

@@aprillmersadies9451 Yeah, don't bother. I ended up fishing it out with fexible tubing with a small bit of tape on the end. Never replaced them. Just told my sister to drive with the headlights on.

[@turdferguson1945]

@Aprill Mersadies you can fish it back out with a magnet and try again. It's not impossible, it's just really hard. Get a little extendable magnet from the auto parts store, that makes it a little bit easier mentally knowing you can get it out.

[@wereallcriminals7424]

How do you get the v shape thing off so you’re able to take the bulb out ?

[@BrandonCotton-B-Ham]

Trying to figure out the same thing… just pull out or turn and pull?

[@wereallcriminals7424]

@@BrandonCotton-B-Ham I traded in my Passat for a Tiguan a while back but I was able to turn and pull from what I remember !

[@johndevine5406]

awesome thanks a bunch, had no idea it was in the wheel well area lol

[@MarkSWilliams27]

THANK YOU! A very informative video.

[@frankmcclintock2210]

Any idea on how to replace the daytime light, passenger side, on a 2016 Caravelle?

[@jedklang]

How would you take off the headlight assembly on a 2019 Passat I'm thinking about changing to LEDs

[@brautigambeer]

Great video gonna get this done tomorrow

[@johnjordan1836]

My 2014 passenger side for the DRL was inaccessible due to the washer fluid reservoir blocking the cap from coming down. I had to remove the headlights , with T30 bits and T25. Not a bad job either way.

[@pattycolmenero2851]

Thank you for the video, now I know exactly how I got scammed... Telling me it's expensive because they had to remove the whole bumper.

[@TheOriginalCryptoPimp]

Nice. That's my exact color vw passat, trim and everything. Thank you.

[@michigainauctioneer]

Thank you very much. You guys are the best.

[@babycakes795]

I have a 2008 VW Passat….. Is it located in the same spot?

[@chiefchunky-muffin4708]

Is the passenger side bulb housing “V” position the same as the driver side? I’m assuming it still twists clockwise to screw-in?

[@markandresen]

Great video! It's okay to touch the bulb with fingers and not wearing a glove?

[@eichmotorcompany]

Thanks for your comment! While it isn't quite as imperative as with headlights, its still a good idea to avoid getting oil from your hands on the bulbs, so try not to touch the bulb or wear gloves when handling it.

[@Louise21665]

Thank you very much it was easy when you showed me .

[@thecrazysharkguy6999]

I have 2016 soon im any info plz on changing drl

[@emmclean5678]

This is an excellent video. I appreciate it very much.

[@eugenepowell9564]

Good tutorial but I have a 2015 Touareg and need to replace the daytime running lights, looks like led strip. Can you help with that, I hope so. Thank you

[@jessieharding7735]

I need to replace the bulb next to it how do I get to it

[@shawnnamora4489]

Tired this and failed! Sitting in Volkswagen Dealership now and was just informed that from trying to replace the bulb using this method, the socket was broken and will not hold the bulb, and now the whole headlight needs to be replaced. The only way to change this particular bulb is to remove the headlight. It cost less than $50 to have this done at the dealership, it is well worth it!!

[@selectiveperformance6121]

What size bulb

[@thoroughbredautobrok]

👍 Thanks that was a huge help. ...and LGB!

[@heyerstandards]

Thanks for posting. Very handy!

[@pierregoulet3900]

Thank you, that's a very well done video!

[@martinholan3761]

Thank you....save me lot of time!!

[@irgordon]

I like how VW made all their vehicles so modular so its pretty easy to replace parts that commonly go out or "break".

[@lulutileguy]

ought to be constructed like leggo

[@InvalilD]

@@lulutileguy i mean it basically is just some of the pieces are stupid af

[@frenchdragon2]

That might work on a Passat or some other model years but it does not work on a 2016 Jetta. The wheel cover has no such access panel to the light assembly. Now the passenger side one is difficult but not impossible. However, I have yet to figure out the driver side one. Whomever designed that should be shot on sight.

[@tzahui]

Hey Adam, my 2013 Passat SE is having some problems with the turn signals. The bulbs are new, I just replaced them but still it won't work. All the fuses seem to be ok. Any advise? Thanks sir

[@brentaudi9354]

VW Wins the Award for the most Stupid Design for all of the lights on this car!! I laughed when the dealer told me it was $80 per bulb replacement on the DRL. My car no longer has DRL's.

[@tyronepina4613]

How is a tune up to do?

[@RG-xr2rc]

Thank you!! For sharing ❤❤❤

[@bethtp1]

The day running light is the one below

[@sandyskulls]

Thanks!! I got it done!

[@benzedrex]

Thanks! I was getting crazy

[@SalemAbuOmar]

what about to convert them to led

[@btrask640]

I'm about 3 hours in. I thought the right side was set and I was done - and I get a new message - Check the left! Hey, here's a tip: the bulb and socket has to be all the way in the hole or it will melt the surrounding plastic. It seemed to click in but it wasn't quite seated. So once I cleaned the bulb and was ready to put it back in - it pops off and is now nestled in the melted slot that it made. One more try today with a pickup tool - and then I'll be off to the dealer.

[@btrask640]

Dealer got the loose bulb out while I had it in for new oil and coolant. But, as the bulb had melted the back of the plastic housing that is the reflector, he said I'd need a new headlight assembly for $345. Pass. I have a new bulb coming. If I can get it through the now bigger hole (due to the melting), duct tape is not out of the realm to hold it in place. I may go the replacement route as I see the assembly is way cheaper online - and put the savings to a body shop's labor as the grill and bumper have to come off (!?) - or live with it as is. (But that just pisses me off.)

[@btrask640]

I didn't see any difference between driver and passenger sides - so equal misery. Same access panel in the wheel well and same cover to take off to get to the tiny access hole.

[@carlosvazquez8353]

What's the name of that cover, I lost it I need to buy one

[@Djatrak03]

Here in 2024 🎉 Thanks 👍🏾

[@bernardnoble1343]

This video does help on a 2011 VW Jetta. It is impossible to reach in an remove that light.

[@masoncontreras8904]

Can I replace my marker light they same way on a 2017 Passat?

[@nettneo]

Thank You. Perfect!

[@Bluearmy55]

Is this the same for a 2013 passat?

[@luisoregon-sanchez4848]

Can you do a 2014 jetta cause mine doesn't have that under the wheel line that

[@itsmechris14]

So what happens when the bulb falls in there??

[@eskimochild87]

What’s the bulb??

[@waelsamy3633]

Can any one plz tell me If i need to change this light to led What size and type of led to buy ????

[@MrRjv21]

Thank you very helpful video

[@DollaSignn]

Damn it!! Bulb popped out in the light fixture! Help 🤦‍♂️

[@chris-o2v9c]

Lol damn

[@jakehardy5616]

Happened to me twice 🤬

[@antwangainer9728]

@@jakehardy5616 how did u get it out

[@renea7791]

I have a 2012 vw Jetta GLI model. Need to replace fog light bulb. Do i need to take the bumber off just to replace the bulb??

[@Swag694]

Yes with the GLI its impossible to do it with your hand.

[@MayankParekh_nice]

Thanks, you are cool.

[@id3-ntty]

God bless you!

[@chumleyex]

Thank you Sir!

[@johnnycanuck6923]

Try doing that on 2014 jetta, good luck

[@qtpi311]

Thank you SOOOO much!!

[@Gromitdog1]

That a 7440 bulb?

[@ambromartinjr.1003]

Thank you...

[@runninzz]

nice vid 👍

[@lorir9094]

Anyone got tricks??? Hmm... I paid someone to do this for me and the bulb wasn't installed correctly and is now sitting inside the headlamp assembly. I really don't want to take the headlamp out too. Ugh...

[@Manpreetkairhe]

thanks buddy....

[@petro712]

Appreciate the video

[@RaofKGN]

what about cc ?? how do I change DRL bulb ??

[@mrfrm1975]

This helped!

[@dakotanichols3744]

Thank you sir

[@derekgonzalez5172]

Does anyone know the blinker size for a 2017 passat

[@tyronepina4613]

Thanks

[@kbno99]

Is way you change the headlight to

[@mrmurdx8956]

This does not work on a 2016 Jetta I had to remove the whole wheel well cover and half of the left side front bumper just to remove the left front head light assembly then had to use a long nose pliers to twist the bulb outline clockwise in order to remove it it took me a half an hour to remove .

[@albeedoinstuff5509]

Thank you was about to use a hammer! Then found your video

[@3br1ce7]

welp, i dont have that bit 🤣 but still a helpful video

[@id3-ntty]

Perfect

[@lucianorosel8128]

So about a month ago i did the DLR light replacement, to my 13' jetta just to find out there was NO access panel! Had to take off the wheel well cover! Which in the end help me not at all, i still could not get the damn DLR light on either side. I enlisted my niece to get her tiny hand in there...after 20 mins of trial and error she was victorious! VW is not DIY friendly and hate them because of that!

[@phyllisray5989]

thank you as vw wants to charge 66$ to chang it.

[@btrask640]

I'd pay it - and may still have to. Would have enjoyed doing something else on my Saturday.

[@asalazar40]

NOT similar for 2013 VW CC.... there is no plastic shield under the fender liner....so what to do???

[@eichmotorcompany]

Sorry, this demo is for Passat and Jetta. The CC is on a different platform.

[@kukublof5057]

how to do on Jetta 2016, its not accessible with the hand !

[@alaskanalain]

Take the regular bulb cover off, take the bulb out, insert your tiny hand all the way down to the base of the bottom bulb and twist

[@ckh937610]

What do you do if the bulb falls out of the socket while trying to get it back in place?

[@portalz]

magnet worked for me.

[@jordonisawesome]

Can I replace this with an LED?

[@eichmotorcompany]

You can replace with an LED bulb, but it would be aftermarket and not OEM.

[@calimagraulgmailcomcalimag]

Ty