Changing headlight bulbs

sidibear

sidibear

Going with the flow.
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08 B7 A4 Avant.
I want to put in better headlight bulbs, its looks very tight and fiddly. Is there an easier way?

I have had a search regarding the best bulbs and just got more confused. I want brighter headlights that are white and am looking to change main and high beam, not worried about spotlights.
 
2 ways to change
1 bumper off
2 very tight with lights in place but if can be done
 
The bumper has to come off?
Oh crap. Anyone fancy doing it for cash?
 
no as i said above u can leave bumper on and do it that way but its fiddly and tight but can be done
 
I don't have the hands for it, I have limited feeling in my hands, hence an easy way is prefereable, but me taking the bumper off is not really an option. I could probably manage the high beam but the mains I won't have a chance of doing.
 
sidibear said:
I don't have the hands for it, I have limited feeling in my hands, hence an easy way is prefereable, but me taking the bumper off is not really an option. I could probably manage the high beam but the mains I won't have a chance of doing.
Click to expand...

I have to warn you if you try it yourself, ensure no one is around when your doing this as after 2 hours of trying and hurting your hands you will probably want to kill the nearest human.

I managed to do it after almost 2 hours, and i have small hands!!, if you have big hands forget it, its utterly stupid how difficult and tight it is.

I actually lost one of the side light bulbs in the headlight, and cant get it out now.

In the end i managed to change the headlights, there is a knack to it, i.e you have to have your hand at the right angles and in the perfect place, it takes alot of trial and error just to learn how to do it correctly.
 
I did it today very easily.

Remove the airbox, 2 minute job then remove cap, remove the connector which just pulls off, then get some pliers in the headlights connector and yank it out.

Do the same for passenger side but first remove the black tank thats behind it, think its power steering? its attached to the washer bottle with same bolt.

Its easy mate.

or ill do it for £1000
 
I managed to get my hand in there. Probably best to get a female of the species to do the work.
 
Just remove the two bits mate honestly, to get to the passenger side is 1 x 10mm bolt, the airbox is 2 screws to undo the intake then pull it out, its only popped into gromets underneath.

If i were closer i'd do it for you mate but its a bit of a drive.
 
I may well have a go. Now, how about bulb suggestions for main and high beam?
 
i managed to change the driver-side headlight bulb after 2 hours and 2 separate occasions(it wasn't fitted properly the first time which only becomes evident at night). There are three torx screws, one on the very top (remove completely), one on the left-side (loosen slightly) and one hidden down under the headlamp unit on the right side(as you're facing the front of the car). You need a very long torx screwdriver to loosen this last one. Then you can move the entire headlamp unit forward about an inch and that should give you the room you need to change the bulb without removing the entire front bumper. However, this is the easy part! Actually changing the bulb is much more tricky. There are three metal prongs which secure the bulb in place, removing and fitting should simply be a case of pulling/pushing into place. But if anyone has an easy way to do this bearing in mind the space limitation and technique required than that information would be very useful.
My point here is this...it is law in most European Countries to carry a spare bulb kit. WHY WHY WHY do you need to carry a spare bulb kit in the car f you cannot change the bulb without removing parts of the car and require special tools to do so (ie. Torx screwdriver which is NOT supplied with the car). Also, should you stop on the motorway and start removing the front bumper because the bulb has blown? Er, I don't think so. Audi have some explaining to do IMO.
 
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Audi headlights are a bit of a joke. Misting up with the slightest bit of rain and then almost impossible to change the bulb.
 
Audi_Doodey said:
i managed to change the driver-side headlight bulb after 2 hours and 2 separate occasions(it wasn't fitted properly the first time which only becomes evident at night). There are three torx screws, one on the very top (remove completely), one on the left-side (loosen slightly) and one hidden down under the headlamp unit on the right side(as you're facing the front of the car). You need a very long torx screwdriver to loosen this last one. Then you can move the entire headlamp unit forward about an inch and that should give you the room you need to change the bulb without removing the entire front bumper. However, this is the easy part! Actually changing the bulb is much more tricky. There are three metal prongs which secure the bulb in place, removing and fitting should simply be a case of pulling/pushing into place. But if anyone has an easy way to do this bearing in mind the space limitation and technique required than that information would be very useful.
My point here is this...it is law in most European Countries to carry a spare bulb kit. WHY WHY WHY do you need to carry a spare bulb kit in the car f you cannot change the bulb without removing parts of the car and require special tools to do so (ie. Torx screwdriver which is NOT supplied with the car). Also, should you stop on the motorway and start removing the front bumper because the bulb has blown? Er, I don't think so. Audi have some explaining to do IMO.
Click to expand...

I looked into this recently - and this was the answer i got back from the EU.

They changed the law in 2006: "new types of vehicles have to be designed in a way that lighting can be inserted and removed from the holder of its device without tools." It would appear that manufacturers were able to misinterpret this, so it was clarified in 2008 to ensure that the driver can replace the light source without the need of complex procedures or the assistance of a trained mechanic. note that this only applies to new models ("types"), implying I think that they didn't force them to change any vehicles that were already in production, only new types as they go through the approval process.

I guess this means all B7s are screwed - and i now need to get a B8 S4 so i can change my own bulbs :)

goose
 
My local garage, who does all our servicing for both our cars, advised they'd only charge me for the replacement bulb should it blow in future, no labour fees on top. But I still have to get the car to them during their opening hours (and book a 10 minute slot). Ridiculous is the only word for it, I wonder how much the Audi garage would charge for this? (Q.How many Audi engineers does it take to change a light-bulb?)
 
Not sure about non avants or rhd's, but the near side main beam was done by my garage in about 2 minutes....the airbox / off side would defo take longer. After the ****** nightmare I had owning an Opel and nearly topping myself over how ****** ridiculous I felt not being able to change a ****** headlamp, am fried with anxiety now everytime I hear the slightest mention of headlight bulp changing! I remember my old 93 Aero and you had both mainbeam and side light bulbs changed before the kettle boiled! Pfffffffff

A
 
It is fiddly but I haven't found it too difficult to change the bulbs (must have small hands with long fingers!). Easy enough to pull out the bulbs but tricky to put them back in at the right angle. Sometimes easier plugging them in first so you can hold the plug and look through the front of the headlight to get them correctly seated.

I have tried the majority of the bulbs out there and without a doubt nightbreakers seem the best to me.
 
Its a ******* of a job but its not impossible - i found it harder to pull out the sidelights as they were in like the rock of gibraltar

Worth it though, i got some bulbs from the chap on here, really good :)

On the subject of misting up, i was surprised to find that once the cap on the back of the headlight is removed the reflector part is really flexible, and barely sealed - seems very cheap (and mine mist up like a ****** too)
 
Well, it's now or never....just blown my offside headlamp bulb.....am I man enough to do them myself?!!! Am I right in thinking that both main beam and full beam are H7's....or have I ordered the wrong ones from T8ups!

Cheers
A
 
Molnboman said:
Well, it's now or never....just blown my offside headlamp bulb.....am I man enough to do them myself?!!! Am I right in thinking that both main beam and full beam are H7's....or have I ordered the wrong ones from T8ups!



Cheers
A
Click to expand...

Yeh both H7's mate,sidelights 511.did mine yesterday and its fiddly but do able.
 
Cheers Steev...Great, yeagh I bought the full light kit plus fog lights from T8ups ages ago but was waiting for one to go before attempting them all...not sure if I have the guts to do it...or the hands....may chicken out and go to my friendly garage next village.....I have the hands of a musician don't ya know! hehehe # sh@tebag!

What about the fog lights...I understand they are quite easy....or is that wishful thinking on my part.

Cheers
A
 
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Molnboman said:
Cheers Steev...Great, yeagh I bought the full light kit plus fog lights from T8ups ages ago but was waiting for one to go before attempting them all...not sure if I have the guts to do it...or the hands....may chicken out and got to my friendly garage next village.....I have than hands of a musician don't ya know! hehehe # sh@tebag!

What about the fog lights...I understand they are quite easy....or is that wishful thinking on my part.

Cheers
A
Click to expand...

I never did my fogs but read somewhere there easy to do!
Give it a go mate,fiddly yes but can be done.I found long nose pliers helpfull.
 
Steev said:
I never did my fogs but read somewhere there easy to do!
Give it a go mate,fiddly yes but can be done.I found long nose pliers helpfull.
Click to expand...

Yeagh, you are right....they can't be more suicidally difficult than Zafira B.....I lost it a few times with the lights in that vehicle. Definitely a design afterthought when the GM draftsmen made that thing. I have been traumatised ever since....time to Man up!
 
audi upgrades
I have recently replaced all the bulbs on the front end of our b7.

fog lights = Easy 5 min job, just need a flat blade and a T10 screw driver

Main Beam= fiddly but can be done, just remove airbox intake and bulb cover, bulb just pulls out replace and push back in.

Dipped Beam = slightly more fiddly due to space but once done main beam its fairly straight forwards.

Side light = OMG scary, you basically need to pull the wires to the sidelight bulb fairly hard, they pop out, once replaced i looked into the light from the front to line up the new bulb and then pushed it home again not overly difficult just pull gently to ensure the wiring doesnt come off the bulb carrier.

I got the complete set for the front for 29.10 delivered from t8ups, arrived quickly and no error lights on dash I couldnt be happier.

I would like to add I am not mechanically minded at all and break most things but I managed to do this ok so it really isnt that difficult.
 
Chris-Vspec said:
I have recently replaced all the bulbs on the front end of our b7.

fog lights = Easy 5 min job, just need a flat blade and a T10 screw driver

Main Beam= fiddly but can be done, just remove airbox intake and bulb cover, bulb just pulls out replace and push back in.

Dipped Beam = slightly more fiddly due to space but once done main beam its fairly straight forwards.

Side light = OMG scary, you basically need to pull the wires to the sidelight bulb fairly hard, they pop out, once replaced i looked into the light from the front to line up the new bulb and then pushed it home again not overly difficult just pull gently to ensure the wiring doesnt come off the bulb carrier.

I got the complete set for the front for 29.10 delivered from t8ups, arrived quickly and no error lights on dash I couldnt be happier.

I would like to add I am not mechanically minded at all and break most things but I managed to do this ok so it really isnt that difficult.
Click to expand...

Cheers Chris.....can you expand a bit on the fog lights.....how do you get at them?

BR
A
 
Chris-Vspec said:
I have posted pics on here, went out last night and whipped one off to take pics for Chez as his are misting up inside, hope it helps, it seriously only takes a few moments to do, dont be scared of this one.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/detailing/189336-anybody-know-how-un-fog-fog-lamp.html" target="_blank">http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/detailing/189336-anybody-know-how-un-fog-fog-lamp.html</a>
Click to expand...
<br>
<br>
That's an S Line bumper you have. I have the SE "council " fog lights....my fogs look quite different to that..
 
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Changed all 4 bulbs in my headlights in under 15 mins easier than the wifes volvo t4
 
I found the headlights really easy in honesty. In comparison to my last car it was a walk in the park. When you've done it once and understand how the bulbs mount and unfasten etc, it really isnt difficult at all.

Sidelights though................................... horrible!
 
Well if a GM Zafira is a scale 10 in difficulty for changing headlamp bulbs...then an Audi A4 is a 3! Manned up and had a go. Very easy....but scared sh#tless to remove those side lights....

Thanks for the advice an help.

Cheers
A
 
with the sidelights, when you pop them back in dont go all the way so it clicks in, just 90% of the way. than it will be easier to change them in the future
 
Molnboman said:
Well if a GM Zafira is a scale 10 in difficulty for changing headlamp bulbs...then an Audi A4 is a 3! Manned up and had a go. Very easy....but scared sh#tless to remove those side lights....

Thanks for the advice an help.

Cheers
A
Click to expand...


good man.....easy eh lol
 
Chris-Vspec said:
glad you managed to get them sorted. have you had a bash at the fogs yet?
Click to expand...

No Chris.....got a bit freaked....they are quite different to the S Line fog / bumper surround.....and I wanted to do a bit more research on here before attempting it....it looks quite different so not sure how the SE Fog lights come out. Done a few hundred km's today and I am really liking the nice ice white on the headlights and they are making the sidelights look sh@t now.....but as I said I was crapping it to pull the sidelights out.....it just didn't feel right, if you know what I mean.....might have a go at both tomorrow weather permitting. Interesting to see how the headlight lamps perform as you may know, they are on all the time up here, so it puts quite a bit of stress on a bulb.

So far so goody,
BR
A
 
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Audi_Doodey said:
i managed to change the driver-side headlight bulb after 2 hours and 2 separate occasions(it wasn't fitted properly the first time which only becomes evident at night). There are three torx screws, one on the very top (remove completely), one on the left-side (loosen slightly) and one hidden down under the headlamp unit on the right side(as you're facing the front of the car). You need a very long torx screwdriver to loosen this last one. Then you can move the entire headlamp unit forward about an inch and that should give you the room you need to change the bulb without removing the entire front bumper. However, this is the easy part! Actually changing the bulb is much more tricky. There are three metal prongs which secure the bulb in place, removing and fitting should simply be a case of pulling/pushing into place. But if anyone has an easy way to do this bearing in mind the space limitation and technique required than that information would be very useful.
My point here is this...it is law in most European Countries to carry a spare bulb kit. WHY WHY WHY do you need to carry a spare bulb kit in the car f you cannot change the bulb without removing parts of the car and require special tools to do so (ie. Torx screwdriver which is NOT supplied with the car). Also, should you stop on the motorway and start removing the front bumper because the bulb has blown? Er, I don't think so. Audi have some explaining to do IMO.
Click to expand...

I think you may have made a bit hard for yourself there. I wouldn't be touching the headlamp itself as it may throw out your beam if not adjusted properly.
For the offside I just remove the air intake...two screws and a heave ho.....the near side was easy enough. As mentioned this was a cake walk compared to my previous car which would literally take hours. That's a good point you make about EU law and being able to change a bulb yourself without tools.

Cheers
A
 
Managed to f&ck up my offside sidelight connection.....so managed to get the bulb and holder out but there must be a break in one of the cables....it was working earlier, but when I stuck it back in... it failed again....not chuffed! Not sure what the next move is....splice in a new bulb holder like this one.

View attachment 16454

Real pisser, cause I got everything done 100% except the offside sidelamp bulb...typical! Anyone suffered this before....how did you fix it?

Cheers
A
 
Last edited:
Oh no thats really unlucky mate, hope you manage to sort it soon, looking at the lead i would imagine you will have to splice into the existing wiring.
 
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