Hi, I have a 2003 Jetta and the r/r tail light does not work. I checked and replaced the bulb even though it looked good. L/S works fine it's only the Right side thats out. The red wire for the wiring plug has power if that helps. Any Idea what I should check next? Thanks for the help.

I just had the same problem with a left read (driver side). What i had to check was the fuse wich is in the very very corner of the mini fuses... That was blown there was also a short in the wire right up next to the wiring harness..

The way to check and make sure the tail light (im assuming your talking aobut the light that is on all the time not just brake light) is to look the wiring harness. You should be able to see -01020 where - is a blank (no metal inside the harness) and 1&2 are the location of the wires you need to check. With a multimeter 1 is red 2 is black. you should read around 12v to this constant. That being said you can trace this back to the fuse box and do continuity (ohms) test on the wire to see if you are gettin resistant across the entire wire.

I found my short that way and just replaced the entire wire to the trunk witha 12g red power wire and havent had any problems out of it since then. you could try just finding the short in the wire and splicing it but i do not suggest that because it could be then one short and/or more created later down the road.


you can also remove the lighting board from one side and plug it in on the other.... if your light turns on then you know it is a problem with the actual housing unit/lighting board if it still doesnt come on then you know its a wire problem (assuming all your fuses are good.)

your repair manual you can purchase at any autoparts store has more detailed wiring diagrams and what goes to what, should cost ~$20.