# 2002 Volkswagen Jetta - Do I need a fuse?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-volkswagen-jetta-do-i-need-a-fuse/12144>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** jetta, fuses\
**Created:** [March 24, 2008, 5:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-volkswagen-jetta-do-i-need-a-fuse/12144 "2008-03-24T17:53:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![nbk626b](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/6de8d8/32.png) [@nbk626b](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nbk626b)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 5:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-volkswagen-jetta-do-i-need-a-fuse/12144/1 "2008-03-24T17:53:16Z")

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My left taillight burns out frequently in my 2002 Jetta GL.  
  
  
  
 I don’t know much about cars, and hate fooling with them; plust, I hardly ever drive, so having to fix anything is a nuisance.  
  
  
  
 Anyway, my guess is I need a fuse. The question is, are these easy to change in this car? How do I know which fuse is the right one to change? Thanks,

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**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2008, 8:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-volkswagen-jetta-do-i-need-a-fuse/12144/2 "2008-03-24T20:46:17Z")

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A bad fuse won’t cause the bulb to burn out. Usually, too-high voltage from the alternator (not likely here if this is the only bulb burning out), excess vibration, or crummy quality bulbs would be the culprit.

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**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 12:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-volkswagen-jetta-do-i-need-a-fuse/12144/3 "2008-03-25T00:51:22Z")

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Vibration, moisture or corroded contacts, but not a fuse will cause this. It is also possible that you have the wrong type of replacement lamp.

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**Author:** ![nbk626b](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/6de8d8/32.png) [@nbk626b](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nbk626b)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 3:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-volkswagen-jetta-do-i-need-a-fuse/12144/4 "2008-03-25T15:22:00Z")

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Thanks to both of you. So, if I have the wrong replacement lamp, is it possible that it would work for a while, and then burn out? Because, it does work when I first replace it.

Thanks

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**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 5:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-volkswagen-jetta-do-i-need-a-fuse/12144/5 "2008-03-25T17:33:02Z")

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Unless you are putting in 6V bulbs, that’s not it either.

As a start, ensure the socket is clean (dielectric grease is okay; in fact, it’s beneficial) and the wiring connections and ground are clean and tight.

Another thought: Is there any possibility that water is leaking into the taillight and hitting the hot bulb? What do the burned-out bulbs look like?