The light in the trunk of the Škoda Octavia A5 does not work: 7 reasons and how to fix the problem

You opened the trunk Škoda Octavia A5but the light doesn't come on? The problem is familiar to many owners of this model, especially after 5-7 years of operation. There may be several reasons - from a banal light bulb burnout to an electronic malfunction. In this article we will analyze all possible breakdowns, ways to diagnose and repair them yourself.

It is important to understand that the trunk lighting system is Octavia A5 (including restyled versions) is built on the interaction of several components: **light bulb**, **fuse**, **lid close sensor** and **wiring**. Failure of any of them results in backlight failure. We will not limit ourselves to general advice - we will give specific instructions taking into account the design features of this model.

If you are not confident in your abilities or the problem is electrical, it is better to contact a specialist. However, most faults can be fixed on your own in 10-30 minutes, with a minimum set of tools.

1. A burned out light bulb is the most common cause.

In 80% of cases there is no light in the trunk Octavia A5 due to a burnt out light bulb. This model uses standard **W5W** (or T10) 5 W bulbs. The service life of such lamps is about 2-3 years with regular use, but they can fail even earlier due to vibrations or power surges.

To check the light bulb:

• 🔧 Open the trunk and remove the courtesy light (carefully pry it off from the side with a flat-head screwdriver).
• 💡 Take out the light bulb and inspect the filament - if it is torn or blackened, the part must be replaced.
• 🔄 Install a new lamp (cost - from 50 to 200 rubles) and check the operation.

If after replacement the light does not appear, the problem lies elsewhere. Also pay attention to the **base** - sometimes it oxidizes or becomes deformed. In this case, it is enough to clean the contacts with fine sandpaper or bend them back.

2. Fuse F37 - the second most common malfunction

B Škoda Octavia A5 **fuse F37** with a rating of 10 A is responsible for the trunk lighting. It is located in the fuse box under the steering wheel (on the driver’s side). To get to it:

1. Open the fuse box cover (pull the handle at the bottom of the panel).
2. Find fuse F37 (its position is indicated on the back of the cover).
3. Remove it with tweezers and check visually - if the jumper inside is burnt out, replace it with a new one (cost 30-100 rubles).

If the fuse is intact, but the light still does not work, check its contacts in the socket. Sometimes they oxidize or burn. In this case, cleaning with alcohol or replacing the entire fuse box will help (rare, but it happens).

3. Malfunction of the trunk closing sensor (micro switch)

B Octavia A5 The **trunk lid position sensor** (microswitch) is responsible for turning on the light. It is located on the trunk lock and is activated when opened. If the sensor is dirty, oxidized or damaged, the light will stop turning on.

How to check:

• 🔍 Inspect the sensor for mechanical damage or corrosion.
• 🔌 Check the connector connection - sometimes it comes off or oxidizes.
• 🛠️ Close the sensor contacts with a screwdriver (simulating closing). If the light comes on, the problem is in the sensor.

If the sensor is faulty, it can be replaced (original article number - 1K6 945 515, cost - about 1000 rubles). An alternative is to clean the contacts or adjust the position of the sensor (sometimes it moves and does not work).

How to temporarily bypass a faulty sensor?

It is possible to connect the trunk light directly to a permanent positive (for example, from a cigarette lighter), but this will disable automatic control. Do this only as a temporary solution!

4. Wiring problems: open circuit, oxidation, short circuit

If the light bulb, fuse and sensor are good, but the light is in the trunk Octavia A5 still doesn't work, the reason may lie in the **wiring**. Most often problems arise in the following places:

• 🔌 In the lamp connector (oxidation or broken contacts).
• 🚗 In the corrugation between the trunk and the body (chaining of wires).
• 🔋 At the connection point to the lighting control unit (relay J386).

For diagnostics you will need a multimeter:

1. Check for voltage at the lamp contacts with the trunk open (should be ~12 V).
2. Check the wires for a break (from the ceiling lamp to the fuse box).
3. Inspect the insulation for damage.

If you find a break, restore the connection using soldering or terminals. Clean oxidized contacts with alcohol or a special spray (for example, Kontakt 60).

Inspect the lampshade connector for oxidation|Ring the wires from the lampshade to the fuse box|Check the corrugation for chafing|Measure the voltage at the contacts with the trunk open-->

5. Malfunction of the lighting control unit (relay J386)

In rare cases, the problem lies in the **lighting control unit** (Central Convenience Control Module, relay J386). This module is responsible for the operation of all lamps in the car, including the trunk. If it fails, the light may not turn on or work incorrectly (for example, stay on constantly).

Symptoms of a J386 fault:

• ⚡ Several lamps do not work at the same time (for example, trunk + license plate lighting).
• 🔄 The light turns on randomly or does not turn off.
• ⚠️ The lighting error appears on the dashboard.

For diagnostics you will need a scanner (for example, VCDS or OBDeleven). If the unit is faulty, it can be replaced (original article number - 1K0 937 087, cost - from 5,000 rubles) or repair (resolder capacitors or microcircuits).

⚠️ Attention: Do not attempt to disassemble the J386 without experience with electronics. Improper soldering can lead to complete failure of the module.

6. Problems with grounding (grounding) of the trunk

Poor contact with ground is one of the most insidious faults, as it is difficult to diagnose. B Octavia A5 The grounding point for the trunk light is located under the trim on the left side (driver's side). Over time, the contact oxidizes or weakens, causing light loss.

How to check and fix:

1. Remove the trunk trim (unscrew the plastic clips).
2. Locate the black wire with a ring terminal screwed to the body.
3. Unscrew the bolt, clean the contact pad on the body and the wire tip.
4. Fasten the wire back, after lubricating the contact Lithol or WD-40.

After restoring the mass, check the operation of the light. If this was the problem, the lamp will light up immediately.

7. Other possible causes and rare cases

If all of the above methods fail, consider the following options:

Reason	Signs	Solution
Light off button malfunction	Light doesn't work, but bulb and fuse are good	Check the button in the trunk (if there is one) or the control unit
Problems with the CAN bus	Several systems do not work at the same time	Scanner diagnostics, wiring repair
Short circuit in the circuit	The fuse blows immediately after replacement	Checking the wiring, finding the location of the short circuit
Trunk lock malfunction	The light does not turn on, but the sensor is working	Replacing or adjusting the lock

In some cases, the problem may be related to the **firmware of the comfort unit**. For example, after an unsuccessful software update via ODIS or VCDS Lighting settings may be lost. In this case, resetting the settings or flashing the firmware will help.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the non-working light in the trunk of the Octavia A5

❓ Which fuse controls the light in the trunk?

B Škoda Octavia A5 The fuse controls the trunk light F37 (10 A)located in the fuse box under the steering wheel. Also check the relay J386if the problem is not in the fuse.

❓ Is it possible to install an LED lamp instead of the standard one?

Yes, but please note that some LED lamps W5W may cause errors on the instrument panel due to low resistance. We recommend using lamps with a built-in resistor (for example, Osram LEDriving W5W or Philips X-tremeVision LED).

❓ Why does the trunk light stay on constantly even when the trunk is closed?

This is a sign of a problem trunk closing sensor (microswitch) or sticking of its contacts. Check the sensor and replace it if necessary. The cause may also be damage to the wiring or the lighting control unit (J386).

❓ Where is the fuse box located in Octavia A5?

The main fuse box is located under the steering wheel on the driver's side. To open it, pull the handle at the bottom of the panel. The additional unit (if any) may be located in the trunk or under the hood.

❓ How much does a repair from an official dealer cost?

Cost of diagnostics in the service Škoda - from 1500 to 3000 rubles. Replacing a light bulb will cost 300-500 rubles, a fuse - 200-400 rubles, a trunk sensor - 1000-1500 rubles (including labor). Repairing wiring or the J386 unit can cost from 3,000 to 10,000 rubles, depending on the complexity.