How do i remove and replace the rear brake/light bulb on my 2006 Seat Altea?

Remove the rear seat. Remove the rear package tray. Unsnap the center mounted tail light. Replace bulb

it cannot ,its thats simple .You need to find the fault and fix it as the ABS computer is the only one which will reset itself once the faulty sensor is detected or the magnetic ring on the back of the wheel bearing ,if a 2005 seat then it could have drum brakes on the rear and the dust build up is causing the sensor not to pick up a reading ,if so try removing the rear drums and cleaning the dust out ,if disk brakes on the rear the try this old trick ,use a pressure washer in a garage and wash the backs of the wheels front and back this often clears the muck causing the sensors not to pick up a pulse ,then drive car for ahlf mile and it may go out the light will not go out without a short drive to reset the computer ,check the sensor multiplug connections as well as if a northern europe vehicle the weather leaves a lot to be desired .

should just be a screw holding the light cover on either at the front or behind bumper then the bulb will just be a bayonet fit

From 2006 to 2010, the Sonata's 3rd brake lamp requires the rear package deck be removed to access that bulb.
1. Remove the rear passenger seat bottom (remove two12mm bolts between the seat back and the seat bottom - tilt the seat back forward to locate these bolts).
a. Press the two bottom front edge tabs to release the front of the seat bottom from the floor.
b. Remove seat bottom & set aside w/two 12mm bolts
c. Tilt both seat backs downward
2. Remove the left & right hand shoulder cushions (12 mm bolt at the bottom of each cushion)
a. Remove seat belt from shoulder cushion guide at the top of the cushion
b. Lift up and forward on shoulder cushions to remove them (if equipped with side airbags, disconnect wire harness connector).
c. Set shoulder cushions aside w/two 12mm bolts
3. Using a small flathead screwdriver, pop out the 'SRS' button cover from the C pillar panels on the left & right hand side to access either the phillips head screws, 10mm bolts, or #30 Torque Screws
a. Remove screws and set aside
b. Using a standard flathead screwdriver, pop out the C pillar panels on both sides (clips hold these panels in place)
c. Set these panels aside after removal w/screws/bolts
4. Trunk Access-way panels are held in place by phillips head screws (two at the bottom (left and right hand sides) and 4 to 5 at the top .
a. Remove left and right hand panels and set aside w/screws.
5. Rear package deck held in place with two plastic clips (white, yellow or pink)
a. lie on your back inside the trunk (trunk lid open to allow for more light). Looking through access hole find 3rd brake light wire harness connector & disconnect.
b. locate package deck clips, one on the left and another on the right on the underside of the pckage deck
c. Squeeze clips to push them out - package deck will come loose
d. Remove package deck & remove 3rd brake lamp bulb socket (turn counter clockwise to remove). Replace bulb & reassemble in reverse order.

Brake light problem - if bulbs and fuses (#34 and #43 in rear fuse panel) are good, then only other possibility are the circuit boards where all the tail lights are located.

Noise coming from rear is the mode control actuator in the rear HVAC unit, it is trying to move a stuck blend door.

This is quite a process....

Removal
1) Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.
2) Remove the rear shelf trim panel.


3) Disconnect the CHMSL electrical connector (1).



4) Remove the two mounting fasteners (3) to the CHMSL (2).



Installation is opposite of removal.

Rear shelf trim panel

Removal

1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
2) Remover the right and left lower and upper C-pillar trim.
3) Remove the nut that secures the center rear seat belt lower anchor to the stud on the floor panel and feed the seat belt webbing back through the opening in the top of the rear shelf panel trim (2) to the retractor.
4) Remove the push-pin fastener (1) that secures the trim (2) to the rear shelf panel.
5) Slide the trim forward to disengage the S-clip that secures the underside of the trim to the to the center of the shelf panel.
6) Remove the trim from the rear shelf panel.



Installation

1) Position the trim (2) onto the rear shelf panel(3).
2) Slide the rear edge of the trim rearward to engage the lens bezel of the center high-mounted stop lamp and far enough to engage the S-clip that secures the underside of the trim to the center of the shelf panel.
3) Install the push-pin fastener (1) that secures the trim to the rear shelf panel.
4) Pull the center rear seat belt lower anchor and belt webbing from the retractor through the opening the the top of the rear shelf panel trim and back down to the stud on the floor panel.
5) Install and tighten the nut that secures the seat belt lower anchor to the stud on the floor panel. Tighten the nut to 34 N m (25 ft. lbs.).
6) Reinstall the right and left upper and lower C-pillar trim.
7) Connect the battery negative cable.



C-pillar trim removal











Seat removal















Hope this all gets it done for you........

You've got to remove the upper cushions of the back seat to access the screws to allow you slide the parcel shelf forward. $80 labor, $2.00 bulb.

You can remove bulb from inside of the baggage cabin, just open the panel behind the rear lamps boc and replace the bulb

the rear seat does NOT have to be removed in order to replace the stoplamp and/or its bulb.
you have to get into the trunk, and there are (2) philips screws holding the stoplamp secured to the package tray. the actual process takes about 15 minutes, because to do it right you have to actually get IN the trunk.

the price they charged you sounds about right if the price of the stoplamp is included, dealerships tend to overcharge for parts.

The bulb in the rear light has burned out and to replace it follow these instructions: 1) go to your owner's manual to find out the part number. You can find and purchase the replacement bulb at Target, any auto parts store and even at Walmart for under $4.00; 2) pop open the trunk door; 3) get a phillips screw driver and unscrew the 2 screws holding the rear brake light fixture to your car body; 4) as soon as you turn over the fixture you'll see where to pull out the burned out bulb and replace it with the new one(s). Good luck!