If the third brake light flashes then most likely a fuse has gone bad.
Vw golf mk4 tail lights not working.
I have the same problem.
Jim check you brake light switch.
Then run that wire to he very back to the tail light on the left side.
Many of the newer third brake lights are led which means they do not have bulbs and you need to replace the unit.
If your brake lights are not working more than likely the brake light switch has failed.
This video shows how easy it is to replace brake light switch in volkswagen golf mk4.
I live in the uk and have a 1999 mk4 golf.
If your brake lights are only out on one side it is most likely that the bulb or the socket is bad.
If it is not working with the flashers then you may have a bad light or socket.
Check on here for more information.
Brake lights only out on one side.
It s located underneath the brake pedal.
This will set the plunger in the correct spot.
This is my redneck fix.
You need a brake switch.
This is an extremely common problem for the switch to fail.
I have a 2012 beetle turbo similar issue not solved as of yet.
Had the epc light flash up on my dash this morning on the way into work and as this happened about a year ago with the cause turning out to be the brake lights not working it s the first thing i checked when i got to work.
No tail lights but the brake lights work fine and it is not the bulbs.
Add a wire to the grey one.
The car in the video is right hand drive steering wheel on the right.
To replace the switch on the new brake switches you start with the plunger all the way out.
Where is the fuse for brake lights on mk4 answered by a verified vw mechanic.
Sockets grounds plugs all good no blown fuse.
Left rear lights all function.
When grounding test light to light quadrant ground no power to the tail light wire on plug that shows power on the left working tail obviously.
The lights aren t working and the light seems to be intermittent in display.
Please check fuse and reverse light bulbs first before going for the reverse back up switch.
99 vw no tail lights fix.
Right rear no tail only the larger wedge base bulb.
Mk iv golf 2 0 gti.
Pull out the hazard switch.
There is a recall affecting mk4s on this.
Check with a local dealer or vw canada.