DIS red herring?

It only fits in one way round, perhaps you had it upside down. The plug can be a pain to remove, I put a small screwdriver into the release lever to lift the tang over the barb. While holding in the screwdriver I use a large flat bladed one on the long edge next to where the release is alternating on either side until it starts to come off. Once over the barb it is just the internal rubber seal that is holding it together. A lage flat blade screwdriver on both sides now usually pops it off.

I tried this but the plug won’t budge unfortunately. I think it’s been too badly damaged previously. A great deal of brute force might shift it but I’m afraid of doing that in case I ruin it can can’t reconnect it. I tried clipping the plug/socket back into the back of the headlight. Definitely had it the right way round (there’s a tab that prevents it going any other way) but it just springs out. Again I wonder if something’s broken. Some gaffer tape might hold it and seal it, that would be a real bodge but can’t think of anything else.
 
Rather than that you could "glue" it back in with silicone sealant. Hold it in place until it sets.
 
Rather than that you could "glue" it back in with silicone sealant. Hold it in place until it sets.

Nice idea, however my track record on using silicone sealant is abysmal, trying to use it on bath surrounds it’s come unstuck pretty quickly, and it’s not even under much tension there, so I can guarantee that would fail for me. Think I’ll use tape, that way I can remove it easily if I need to do anything to the headlight. Sorry I’m a truly rubbish DIYer....
 
I tried this but the plug won’t budge unfortunately. I think it’s been too badly damaged previously. A great deal of brute force might shift it but I’m afraid of doing that in case I ruin it can can’t reconnect it.

The correct way of unplugging the VW electrical connector is not to use any blade at all, but to press the plug firmly into the socket bofore pressing down on the release tab. On both my lights there is an audible 'click' as the catch releases, and the plug can then be wiggled out. I've never needed to use any hand tools, it's just a knack.

Of course your connection will be more difficult to undo, because the socket is hanging free rather than secured in the headlight assembly.
 
The correct way of unplugging the VW electrical connector is not to use any blade at all, but to press the plug firmly into the socket bofore pressing down on the release tab. On both my lights there is an audible 'click' as the catch releases, and the plug can then be wiggled out. I've never needed to use any hand tools, it's just a knack.

Of course your connection will be more difficult to undo, because the socket is hanging free rather than secured in the headlight assembly.

Thanks, yes I know that and he method with the screwdriver is really only supposed to be used if the tab is broken I believe? But I tried that too and it didn’t want to budge, I think it’s been so mangled previously that it’s stuck fast.
 
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