Worn brake button - any ideas?

**patomlin76** · 05-03-2010,09:46 PM

Just a quickie... I have a well worn parking brake button, where the matte black has worn away to the clear plastic underneath. At the moment I have a well cut piece of black electrical tape that improves the look of the dash in that area.

I've seen a few replacement buttons on ebay for around £25 - but would it be a pain to fix. I can't think of any other method to get a (P) symbol back where it should be - apart from cutting out a transfer or something similar.

Any ideas how i could improve this look? Would post a pic but too late now...

Thanks!

**redrolo** · 05-03-2010,09:51 PM

From what I have read on here is that they are mega easy to fit. IF you open the fuse box then put your fingers behind the button it simply pops out and you then put the new one on.

**martin1810** · 05-03-2010,10:04 PM

As redrolo says and they only cost £20 from a dealer.

**patomlin76** · 06-03-2010,12:07 AM

so there won't be any faults thrown up by the onboard computer? if it really is that easy to swap it out i'll order a new one from vw tomorrow. it's the only part of the dash that looks a mess!

cheers!

**patomlin76** · 06-03-2010,12:31 PM

you're right about the cost - £23. however they also quoted £69 for it fitted. Would they be doing more than a pop out and in replacement? or is it just another dealer rip off??

**rapport25** · 06-03-2010,12:38 PM

Originally Posted by patomlin76

you're right about the cost - £23. however they also quoted £69 for it fitted. Would they be doing more than a pop out and in replacement? or is it just another dealer rip off??

Dealer rip off I would say. Mine went for the fuel pump check/recall on Friday. They carried out a free health check "screw the customer for what we can check" I nearly passed out. £200 to change an outer and inner driveshaft gaiter!!!!!!

Have just got back from mates garage as I have 4 shinny new tyres

He has quoted for the same job £90

**martin1810** · 06-03-2010,12:44 PM

Originally Posted by patomlin76

you're right about the cost - £23. however they also quoted £69 for it fitted. Would they be doing more than a pop out and in replacement? or is it just another dealer rip off??

£69 fitted is about right. They are going to charge half hour labour approx, even if it takes 5 minutes. They have to pay their bills like the rest of us.

**patomlin76** · 06-03-2010,12:48 PM

if anyone has done this themselves can they confirm it doesn't trip any computer warning light? last thing I want to do is do a change for cosmetic sake, only to find i need to get it to an independent after all.

thanks.

**redrolo** · 06-03-2010,04:12 PM

Originally Posted by rapport25

Dealer rip off I would say. Mine went for the fuel pump check/recall on Friday. They carried out a free health check "screw the customer for what we can check" I nearly passed out. £200 to change an outer and inner driveshaft gaiter!!!!!!

Have just got back from mates garage as I have 4 shinny new tyres

He has quoted for the same job £90

You aint a happy bunny are you Mr R

**redrolo** · 06-03-2010,04:57 PM

Originally Posted by patomlin76

if anyone has done this themselves can they confirm it doesn't trip any computer warning light? last thing I want to do is do a change for cosmetic sake, only to find i need to get it to an independent after all.

thanks.

Good question patomlin, reading up on vagcom for the Passat the parking brake reports into address 53 on the computer, so it would suggest that the answer is yes. Maybe ask the question in the VCDS session, for a definitive yes or no.