Rear cargo shelf removal on VW Jetta
Difficulty: 1/5
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Introduction
If you want to clean out the dead flies stuck behind the 3rd brakelight, add speakers, window tint, or soundproofing, here's an article showing how to remove the rear shelf.
Procedure
Fold down the rear seats.
Undo the child seat harnesses (3), they pull off like the one pictured on the right. Remove the plastic cover and use a socket to remove it's bolt. Warning: the metal loops may be sharp - wear gloves to prevent getting cut.
If you look in the trunk, underneath the shelf, you can see the brake light electrical connection, circled in green below. Unplug it.
There are also three plastic clips that are part of the shelf, circled in yellow below. Ease them back. You may have to push and pull the shelf to release the clips. The shelf should now easily come off.
Installation is the reverse of removal. Make sure to reinstall the brake light plug!.