Removing and refitting headlight switch in dash?

JD09

JD09

I'm not modding, I'm improving
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Hi guys,

Something that bugged me for months since I bought the car was the fact that soft rubber facia on all buttons has been a little scratched, due to the previous owner being a lady with long nails :(:no:

Anyhoo, finally found a second hand light switch off eBay in great condition and got it through the post today.

Now how do I remove the last one and install this one???

Many thanks!
 
Could I buy your old one off you? Mine puts the front fogs on all the time........ Believe that you push the switch in to remove it but not done it yet
 
IIRC to remove the headlight switch you grab the switch lever and turn it anti clockwise and give it a real good tug and it just pops out, seem to remember reading on here its just clipped in but its tight.
 
I actually read the above, but will give it more thought and time lol!

SiGainey, sure buddy. It comes with the whole facia, so the square-ish bit with the dimmer for the dials as well... interested?
 
I tried removing mine because a few of the bulbs seemed to be dead behind the switch. The cable was very tight and it was difficult to get it out. I found it a lot easier to open the fuse panel and unscrew it so you can get at the back of the switch from the side.
 
wibble111 said:
IIRC to remove the headlight switch you grab the switch lever and turn it anti clockwise and give it a real good tug and it just pops out, seem to remember reading on here its just clipped in but its tight.
Click to expand...

Almost, you grab the switch lever, push it inwards(it's spring loaded), then twist anti clockwise, you will feel you are tugging on something, then pull the whole unit out.
 
Joe, is that the entire facia or just the actual switch that you turn? I want the whole black plastic part out that sits in the dash, not just the switch...?
 
All done! Although it would have been much easier had I tried to turn it CLOCKWISE in the first place! Was struggling for ages, pushing it in, turning it and then pulling and it just wouldn't shift! But clockwise it is, by about 5 degrees and it came out easy peasey!

Thanks to all!
 
JD09 said:
All done! Although it would have been much easier had I tried to turn it CLOCKWISE in the first place! Was struggling for ages, pushing it in, turning it and then pulling and it just wouldn't shift! But clockwise it is, by about 5 degrees and it came out easy peasey!

Thanks to all!
Click to expand...

Well, it was one way or the other. :p
 
OK, I CANNOT get this out without taking a hammer to it haha Got the square bit off, pushed the headlight lever, push it in, turn it right about 10 degrees, it stays in but pulling it will not remove it from the dash! I've wiggled it a bit, can get my hands to the right and back of the switch but it just wont come out!!!!!! Any ideas?
 
Have you unplugged it Si?

When you say you've got the square bit off... what do you mean?
 
Hi, no not unplugged it

5ec9a811.jpg

Shows where I am at. All ideas apreciated
 
Hmm?

Haynes says: "With the light in position 0, press the switch inwards and turn it slightly to the right. Hold this position and pull the complete switch assembly from the dash."

So you are doing the right thing, so I'd say that one of the black plastic tabs which should retract when you do the above has broken and is wedging the switch in place. I'd guess you'd need to take the lower dash out and try to push the switch out from behind? It is only held in with some very small (matter of mm's) tabs and if you are replacing the switch anyway...
 
Last edited:
OK, finally sorted this out - the best thing to do when the securing tang won't release, is to pop the cover off the fuse box (right by the headlight switch) and then remove all the T25 screws which will allow you to get your hand in and feel where the bit is that doesn't move... All sorted now - fully working headlights and fogs woohoo!
 
Any of you guys got a part number for this? I would love to change mine!

Cheers
Barry
 
This is why I love this forum - someone always has the answers to my questions! The bulb behind my light switch has just started flickering and so needs replacing. Really bugs me, so I'll be removing my switch sometime soon. Thanks chaps. :thumbsup:
 
I know this is a REALLY old thread but i was going to as the same question so thought it would be silly to make a new thread..

I've been trying to get my light switch out but mine doesn't seem to push in like mentioned above ....

Is there a different method with a 2001 a3 ?
 
I really doubt it's different m8, just keep on trying as you turn it from off to sidelights, try pushing the rial in :)
 
SiGainey said:
I really doubt it's different m8, just keep on trying as you turn it from off to sidelights, try pushing the rial in :)
Click to expand...

I've tried that mate, but it doesn't push in :(

From reading the post and watching the video, it looks like the knob should be spring loaded but mine isn't.
 
Thanks guys .......

I gave it a really good push today and it is spring loaded. I still didn't manage to get tit out but don't think it will be a problem now ;)
 
hey guys- so im a new audi owner hear and i want to facelift my headlight switch. I tried to pull out the headlight switch tonight by pressing in turning and pulling and it just clicks but it wont stay pushed in. It sounds like the spring may not be catching. How can i remove the headlight switch now- in my 2008 it looks like there are 2 screws that hold the fuse box in- if i remove those do i simply just push out the headlight compartment or is there more? Lastly, is the physical switch part able to be removed or do i need to buy a whole new part #8j1 941 531 H ??
 
Kevin A3 Quattro said:
hey guys- so im a new audi owner hear and i want to facelift my headlight switch. I tried to pull out the headlight switch tonight by pressing in turning and pulling and it just clicks but it wont stay pushed in. It sounds like the spring may not be catching. How can i remove the headlight switch now- in my 2008 it looks like there are 2 screws that hold the fuse box in- if i remove those do i simply just push out the headlight compartment or is there more? Lastly, is the physical switch part able to be removed or do i need to buy a whole new part #8j1 941 531 H ??
Click to expand...

Wrong section dude... Try 8P section... This for A3/S3 up to 2003

<tuffty/>
 
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