dodgy bulbs

[paul_brad]

hi all,
all my lights seem to be failing at once, but as far as i can see, all the bulbs are intact. I've had one sidelight not working for a while, but if you open the bonnet and 'twiddle' roughly round where the bulb is, it comes on, and stays on for the journey. But then the next day it probably wont be working again.

That's been fine till now, as the same side headlight has now gone! It seems to be permanently gone, but on inspecting the bulb the filament is still attached both ends.

Also over Xmas I had an itermitent brake light, which appears to have worked for the past few days (The DIS will beep at me, then dissapear when breaking again as its now working, then beep again a bit later as its bust again)

Is it a case of changing all the bulbs? Taking it to a garage? I feel a bit silly going to Audi specialist with a broken bulb.

I'd really appreciate if anyone has had a similar thing, or any advice they could give. cheers

 

[steve1975l]

Have you cleaned the contacts?

 

[paul_brad]

Hi Steve,
I've not. Is there a good chance it's that? It's a might fiddly getting between the battery and lights isn't it. (2000 A3) In getting a gander at the main headlight bulb, I can't for the life of me fit it back inbetween the clips!

Also, being a prefacelift, my fog lights are incorporated in the main headlight area looking like headlights. Could I get away shortterm with using these instead of headlights? They aren't full beams.

 

[steve1975l]

Sure is tight. If you know the radio code you could remove the battery. Use some fine sandpaper and make sure the connections are good as it sounds like a dodgy contact somewhere.

 

[skyliner34]

Sure does sound like dodgy contacts. Sandpaper the battery terminals like Steve said.

Go to Maplin to buy some Servisol Switch Cleaner spray. Just spray it on your contacts, connect and disconnect the contacts a few times after the spray to clean the contacts, allways works a treat with me. Also handy for household electrical goods as well

 

[rodenal]

Just dont spray it in the plug socket