number plate light bulb holders

Leaky Lloyd

Leaky Lloyd

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tried to change my bulbs for led's
problem is,, the screws are rounded off so ive only got 1 done!!!
anyone got any idea how to get it out without breaking it or how much a new fitting and screw is, so i can just rip the old one to pieces?
 
mine were gubbed so ended up replacing the whole unit - can't remember how much it cost me but wasn't too dear - but i was in the same predicament as you when i needed to change a bulb, so it did work out expensive in the end. (hope that makes sense)

j
 
I can tell you exactly what to do!! Because it's a pain in the ****!

Basically all the screws on these units are rubbish and round off. You will need to replace the moulding (the long black bit which holds the handle, lock and light covers) and the light covers as well. The moulding is about £27.34 and the part number is A8E0 8275763F Z - Do double check this with Audi for your particular model - I think the moulding are the same across the range but double check. And they are normally in stock at most dealerships as it's a daily issue!

You will carefully need to dismantle the back of the boot lid and relevant bolts to remove the mouding - be careful and try your best to remember where everything goes - fairly simple but some parts are delicate. There is a wiring loom on the back of the moulding - this needs removing, very easy, but again very delicate. If you damage this the Part Number is A8E0 971 145 (£25.22).

The light covers are £6.35 each and the part number is A8E0 807 430 A + B (Left and Right).

You will then need to swap the moulding over and repeat the process backwards.

Be carefull and take your time - oh and have fun!!!!! All this to change your bulbs!

PS. Go to a hardware store and buy some Stainless Steel A2 Screws (M3X20mm Cap Head) - use these instead of the new Audi Screws and this will prevent future rounding and all this bother!

DSC_0909.jpg


DSC_0911.jpg


DSC_0912.jpg
 
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CHRIS555 said:
I can tell you exactly what to do!! Because it's a pain in the ****!

Basically all the screws on these units are rubbish and round off. You will need to replace the moulding (the long black bit which holds the handle, lock and light covers) and the light covers as well. The moulding is about £27.34 and the part number is A8E0 8275763F Z - Do double check this with Audi for your particular model - I think the moulding are the same across the range but double check. And they are normally in stock at most dealerships as it's a daily issue!

You will carefully need to dismantle the back of the boot lid and relevant bolts to remove the mouding - be careful and try your best to remember where everything goes - fairly simple but some parts are delicate. There is a wiring loom on the back of the moulding - this needs removing, very easy, but again very delicate. If you damage this the Part Number is A8E0 971 145 (£25.22).

The light covers are £6.35 each and the part number is A8E0 807 430 A + B (Left and Right).

You will then need to swap the moulding over and repeat the process backwards.

Be carefull and take your time - oh and have fun!!!!! All this to change your bulbs!

PS. Go to a hardware store and buy some Stainless Steel A2 Screws (M3X20mm Cap Head) - use these instead of the new Audi Screws and this will prevent future rounding and all this bother!

DSC_0909.jpg


DSC_0911.jpg


DSC_0912.jpg
Click to expand...

Thats a helpful write up, I wish this had been posted when I changed mine months ago. My screws where knackered and I ended up breaking the metal strip. I am gonna order a new one and refit it as soon as my reverse camera arrives
 
As per CHRIS555 - exactly the same problem and ended up with a new boot strip - OK I was fitting a Reversing Camera so it did not feel so bad as if it was for a a bulb change - but still annoying.

Ditto - Ditch the Audi screw an opt for Stainless Steel A2 screws (M3 x 20mm Cap Head) which utilise a 2.5mm Allen key and apply a little grease to the thread. Got to be better than those Audi screws made of cheese!
 
Woorlord and Itsmeagain - I'm now fitting the camera too! I went to Pioneer for one orignally to match in with my headunit and they wanted nearly £200!!!! and it would have to be fitted under the rear diffusser - errr NO! I can't believe how cheap these numberplate cameras are, there great!
 
I have the same problem here.

One of the bulbs needed changing in May. The screws rounded off, I have stripped the panel off the inside of the boot ready for sorting the issue and need to get round to buying the boot strip sometime. My MOT is not until December so I have been in no rush.

Thanks for the part numbers. :kissmyrings:
 
coyote said:
I have the same problem here.

One of the bulbs needed changing in May. The screws rounded off, I have stripped the panel off the inside of the boot ready for sorting the issue and need to get round to buying the boot strip sometime. My MOT is not until December so I have been in no rush.

Thanks for the part numbers. :kissmyrings:
Click to expand...

No probs!

As long as you have one working for the MOT they'll pass you ;) (well they did for me anyway!!!)
 
I tried to drill the screws out and broke 3 drill ends, scratched my paintwork and nearly ended up with a broken drill piece in my eye lol!
 
oh my god,, all this for ****** bulbs,, feel like smashin the car up,,,
cheers all the same dudes, really helpfull stuff once again,,
ps,, got some side lights fitted,, look,, awsome,, got to do the hid's now,, when this ****** wether breaks!
 
has anyone ever succesfully changed the holders without replacing or removing the unit????

sounds like a challenge,, watch this space !!!!!
 
do you think ill be able to get them off the shelf from my main dealer,, or any others for tht matter?
really want it doing this weekend!
 
done this the other day on mine,took me about a hour and a half start to finish,removed the black strip with the lens, screws,etc still in,drilled the tops off the screws to release the clear covers,then turned the unit over and drilled down through the centre of the screw hole to remove the old screws,then just got the next size up stainless self taping screws and screwed them in,job done!!!!works and looks spot on plus these wont corroed in to the strip in the future.
 
sorted,,
and at the risk of sounding brash,,, "piece of cake"

took me about 10 minutes per side without having to remove anything at all,, other than the old lenses and rounded screws obviously!

remove the number plate to save scratching the reflective finish,

you will need a fine drill bit on a cordless,,

lift the boot lid up to chest hieght (stops you getting back ache if nothing else) and drill 5 or 6 holes around the screw untill you have pearsed the lenses,

gently tap a fine flat blade electrical driver in through one of the wholes to the inner side of the screw as this part is hollow,,

put your hand over the cover and gently pry the lense, which will pop off easy peasy and drop into your hand,, this is what you will be left with below
lucypics008-1.jpg


as seen in the picture,, use a small electrical screw driver to remove the old weak bit of lense from around the screw,, both mine popped off by wigglening the driver in a circular motion!!!

then simply use some small pump grips,, as seen below,, or long nose pliers to release the screw
lucypics009.jpg


insert the new led and lense and screw the badboy down,, hey presto,,, job done!
lucypics007-1.jpg


and heres what you should be left with if you take your time
lucypics012.jpg


fair enough,, not as easy as just unscrewing the ****** thing,, but saves all the hassle of taking the unit apart and/or even buying a new one!

ps,, sorry for the poor quality pics,, had to use my phone !
 
Last edited:
audi upgrades
Leaky Lloyd said:
sorted,,
and at the risk of sounding brash,,, "piece of cake"
Click to expand...

Ha when I read that I thought you were going to say the screws just undid! I'll take a look at mine when I get the chance, but it's looking like I'll need new lenses then in all likelihood.
 
Leaky Lloyd said:
has anyone ever succesfully changed the holders without replacing or removing the unit????

sounds like a challenge,, watch this space !!!!!
Click to expand...

yes , i have, it does involve getting new lamp holders, i drill the heads off to the point where the plastic bulb holders just slid over the screws, take out the old plastic units, get a pair of molly grips, get them to bite onto the last bit of the screw and slowly unscrew them with the grips. i always get new lamp holders and screws for the re-fit, the last time i did my ones if fitted white LED bulbs, for one they look much crisper and two they last a lot longer than normal bulbs so i don't think i will be changing them any time soon,

27102009066.jpg
 
i would actually reccomend changing the lenses anyway james,,, you can tell the difference in the new ones and the used ones,,,!
they become discoloured and the new ones look really crips and clear!
 
i re-used my lens as if your carefull you can drill the head off the bolt and the lens comes out
 
millwrx said:
done this the other day on mine,took me about a hour and a half start to finish,removed the black strip with the lens, screws,etc still in,drilled the tops off the screws to release the clear covers,then turned the unit over and drilled down through the centre of the screw hole to remove the old screws,then just got the next size up stainless self taping screws and screwed them in,job done!!!!works and looks spot on plus these wont corroed in to the strip in the future.
Click to expand...

Thats exactly what i did:)
 
Great just had the missus on the phone irate about MOT just failed due to numberplate light. Told her to give it a little persuasion and it'll work but the c**t tester wouldn't have it. Plus told her that it'll need a new unit to fix it. Great now gotta find a new garage, this geezer has done cambelt, tyres, MOT's, alternators, etc etc for all our motors and he pulls up on 1 numberplate bulb not working correctly. Now reading this just fills me with excitement of the prospect of having to drill out some cheesy screws.
*Rant Over*

Thanks for the info.
 
i see loads of audi build quality here too ;-)
 
Bitch of a job,got caught with these last week! I found a good solution though,some M3 hex head stainless steel screws that fit nice and snugly into the recess in the bulb holder,put a bit of copper grease on them prior to fitting also which means the should be easy to remove in future.hex head affording better grip than the conventional Philips head.

Ill post up some pics over the weekend,also have a good few sets of M3 hex heads here if anyone wants a pair,just pm me your address and ill send them on.
 
To remove the old and now stuck lense i had to break them out,the screw is recessed so i couldn't get any purchase on it with a pliers etc.So i got the sharpest flathead in my tool box and used it as a chisel gently working around the screw head until i freed the lense,like so.. be careful doing this i was expecting the plastic to be very rigid and brittle but it's not,it is soft almost rubber like so took a little working.


03102010477.jpg


After the lense popped out i just removed the screw with a pliers.

I ordered up the new lenses Audi have these in stock (surprise surprise) can't remember how much it was for the pair but not that dear,i of course discarded the new screws that came with the lenses the design not having been update by Audi.

03102010478.jpg


I got myself some copper grease and M3 Hex head stainless steel bolts.

03102010479.jpg


When i removed the old screw i discovered the problem was 2 fold not only were the screws soft but the were bonding with the plastic of the lense due to excess heat over time!

So when i fitted the new lenses and Hex heads i put a little extra Dab of copper grease in the recess of the lense where the bolt sits.

03102010473.jpg


New shiney LEDS.

03102010474.jpg


Nice and simple,im sure this will help some out,As mentioned i have a few sets of M3 Hex heads left over so if any of you want a pair just let me know.
 
Finished mine off with a set of LED's as well.........

DSC_0957.jpg


DSC_0958.jpg
 
Shane-Ireland said:
To remove the old and now stuck lense i had to break them out,the screw is recessed so i couldn't get any purchase on it with a pliers etc.So i got the sharpest flathead in my tool box and used it as a chisel gently working around the screw head until i freed the lense,like so.. be careful doing this i was expecting the plastic to be very rigid and brittle but it's not,it is soft almost rubber like so took a little working.


03102010477.jpg


After the lense popped out i just removed the screw with a pliers.

I ordered up the new lenses Audi have these in stock (surprise surprise) can't remember how much it was for the pair but not that dear,i of course discarded the new screws that came with the lenses the design not having been update by Audi.

03102010478.jpg


I got myself some copper grease and M3 Hex head stainless steel bolts.

03102010479.jpg


When i removed the old screw i discovered the problem was 2 fold not only were the screws soft but the were bonding with the plastic of the lense due to excess heat over time!

So when i fitted the new lenses and Hex heads i put a little extra Dab of copper grease in the recess of the lense where the bolt sits.

03102010473.jpg


New shiney LEDS.

03102010474.jpg


Nice and simple,im sure this will help some out,As mentioned i have a few sets of M3 Hex heads left over so if any of you want a pair just let me know.
Click to expand...

Hi I'll take a set of hex bolts if you've still got them? How much
 
itsmeagain said:
Looks good mate, my LED bulbs are playing up. Where did you get yours as I am gonna change mine as soon as my reverse camera arrives.
Click to expand...

Don't laugh - Halfords!!! It's a set of their "Prism" bulbs - to be perfectly honest they have been spot on - no extras or resistors required, just pop them in and job done!

Occasionally the "numberplate bulb warning light" will pop on on the dash but only for a second or so then never again - I think this is mainly due to the lower voltage they run, but after that second or so the car recognises them no worries.

If your at ADI come and have a look mate

All the best

Chris
 
Not a problem James,one of my LEDs blew today grrrr,where are people buying their LEDs and are the lasting?
 
At least you can get the screws out lol

I bought THESE - which were recommended by lots on here.
 
nope Kildare man but bought the car in cork,ill check out the site cheers.
 
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