A4 b8 drl replacement to led

[A4B8R9M]

dear everyone

I am new to the forum
I have just bought a 2009 Audi a4 b8 and I am looking to get the drl yellow lights changed to led White bulbs.

I have read I need to make holes and cut the headlight to access the drl bulb.

Is there anyone who can explain in detail how to do this ?

Also is there anyone near the west London area - who could do this for me ?

Thanks in advance

 

[NHN]

Welcome to the forum.

So do you have halogen or bixenons?

 

[A4B8R9M]

I've got halogens mate

Thanks for the quick reply

 

[NHN]

Give T8ups a shout aka em tuning, he can sort bulbs for you, no need to cut anything out if they're halogen headlights.

 

[desertstorm]

I am just about to do this on my car when the bulbs arrive. They are winging there way from Hong Kong at the moment. Well actually I think they are walking judging by the amount of time they are taking .
It's not a hard job you could do it yourself.

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/...place-A4-B8-Halogen-DRL-bulbs-with-P13w-LED-s

The Headlights only take 10 minutes to remove, you have the tool supplied in the car tool kit to remove them.
Cut the plastic out carefully, install the new bulbs , fit covers and refit the headlights.
I was going to do a bit of a how to when my bulbs arrive. I have bought some covers but they are not the genuine Audi ones as they seemed quite expensive.

Karl.

 

[A4B8R9M]

Hahah thanks to both of you.

Karl what bulbs were they ? Can you link me to which ones you bought ? I don't have an account with vwaudiforum so it's not letting me view it.

To remove headlights, do I need to remove the bumper ? The cutting part is what I am scared about...

 

[RS5 JON]

Remove headlight, then on the back of this you will see two circles indented on the plastic housing, cut these out carefully, as there are wires behind where your cutting, I did this with a Stanley knife. Once the circles are cut out, remove the bulbs and replace with new ones, suggest you try site sponsor t8ups for these, I did. You will need 2 rubber covers for the holes you have cut out, 2 per headlight, these can be purchased direct from your Audi dealer, but brass your case and try to get them free.
Replace headlights and enjoy your new crisp drl's.
JG

 

[RS5 JON]

Cutting bit scared me at first, but just take your time. No need to remove bumper, just the plastic radiator cover under the bonnet, between your headlights.
JG

 

[desertstorm]

You don't need to remove the bumper to get the headlights out. There is a tool in the tool kit to do this. Take the screwdriver blade out of the screwdriver by pulling it out and replace with the long double ended torx blade in the toolkit.

 

[desertstorm]

You will need 2 rubber covers for the holes you have cut out, 2 per headlight, these can be purchased direct from your Audi dealer, but brass your case and try to get them free.

How did you get anything for free from Audi ??

 

[RS5 JON]

How did you get anything for free from Audi ??

Hi Karl, I went in and told them how disgusted I was at having to hack my headlights apart to replace bulbs, also that if I owned a BMW or a Merc, the job would be straight forward. Think the later comment, said loudly in the main waiting area of dealership, swung it for me.

JG

 

[desertstorm]

Well this is quite amazing, doorbell has just rung and LED's have arrived, Jeez they are bright.
I was contemplating what to do this afternoon I now have something to do.

Karl.

 

[Kalashnikov]

Well this is quite amazing, doorbell has just rung and LED's have arrived, Jeez they are bright.
I was contemplating what to do this afternoon I now have something to do.

Karl.

give us before and after shots ohh please...for the build thread!!!

 

[desertstorm]

Replaced the DRL's in my car this afternoon. Take a look here.

Karls 3.0 TDI build thread

Karl.

 

[Shogun]

Question.. Has anyone ever experienced problems later down the line with misting in the light unit? I remember doing something similar on a past car and I guess I didn't seal them back up properly

 

[desertstorm]

If they are sealed correctly then there is no reason why it should mist up. When I was looking for info on this I came across a Russian thread with this picture,

Possibly not the best way of sealing these cutouts up.

 

[wrighty01]

You can re-use the plastic discs you have cut round and seal with black silicone mastic, thats what i did.

 

[M90KKL]

Just done this mod today, used a stanley knife as suggested, took it easy and took my time, after a while you can force the plastic to break through, you cut the circle underneath the lamp and the circle bit at the back of the lamp, 20 degree twist and the bulbs come out no bother, it looks so much better now with LED drl's than those **** yellow halogen ones, I'm very pleased, also I have a HID kit and LED fogs and it all ties in lovely.

 

[RS5 JON]

Well done mate, a job worth doing.
JG

 

[M90KKL]

Well done mate, a job worth doing.
JG

Thanks buddy you helped a lot too!

 

[desertstorm]

I'm very pleased, also I have a HID kit and LED fogs and it all ties in lovely.

What did you do to cover the holes back up?, and don't you find a HID kit with reflectors dazzles other drivers coming the other way.
I have thought of changing mine to HID's as I have a few ballasts and bulbs in the garage from my Passat. That had a projector headlight though and the beam pattern was fine, passed many MOT'S.
A lot of people put HID's in reflectors and they just don't work properly as the beam pattern is all over the place.
Loads of Corsa's , Saxo's MK 4 Golfs etc driving around dazzling people.

Karl.

 

[RS5 JON]

Thanks buddy you helped a lot too!

Cheers, that's what we're all here for, glad I could be of assistance.
JG

 

[M90KKL]

What did you do to cover the holes back up?, and don't you find a HID kit with reflectors dazzles other drivers coming the other way.
I have thought of changing mine to HID's as I have a few ballasts and bulbs in the garage from my Passat. That had a projector headlight though and the beam pattern was fine, passed many MOT'S.
A lot of people put HID's in reflectors and they just don't work properly as the beam pattern is all over the place.
Loads of Corsa's , Saxo's MK 4 Golfs etc driving around dazzling people.

Karl.

Iv had no one flashing me to say my lights are too bright! And yes it isn't as direct as with projectors but my plan would be to get projectors fitted, just saving my pennies, you can get a projector kit for £60 from trups.

Iv just used electrical tape to cover the holes until I get the rubber covers.

 

[andyam]

The projector kit is spot on front Trups I have it fitted. Will try get a picture up later for you to see. I got the chrome iris shrouds and trimmed them away as the Gatling ones look a bit iffy.

 

[M90KKL]

The projector kit is spot on front Trups I have it fitted. Will try get a picture up later for you to see. I got the chrome iris shrouds and trimmed them away as the Gatling ones look a bit iffy.

I really want to do this Mod but I'm concerned about my ability to do it, I have no issues with splitting the lamp it's just fitting the projectors properly that concerns me, how did u find it? Would love to see some pics!!

 

[andyam]

Fitting the projectors isn't difficult mate. Easy to do really. Getting the right about trimmed off the shroud was time consuming but other than that pretty easy. Are you any good at soldering though? There are 2 cables need soldering on each headlight for the beam to be full beam also. Easy work there is a tutorial also. Trups also can do the work for you if you are cnceredn

 

[M90KKL]

Fitting the projectors isn't difficult mate. Easy to do really. Getting the right about trimmed off the shroud was time consuming but other than that pretty easy. Are you any good at soldering though? There are 2 cables need soldering on each headlight for the beam to be full beam also. Easy work there is a tutorial also. Trups also can do the work for you if you are cnceredn

Oh I had no idea about soldering! Maybe best get trups to do the job for me then. Just need to find a time when i can do without my motor for a week or so :-/ but this mod needs done for sure,

Can u get some pics up of yours please?

 

[A4B8R9M]

What do your lights look like now mate ? I would love to do this but like M90KKL I am worried about my skill level to do this.

How much was the kit ?

Could you fit it in my car ?

 

[M90KKL]

What do your lights look like now mate ? I would love to do this but like M90KKL I am worried about my skill level to do this.

How much was the kit ?

Could you fit it in my car ?

"DITTO"

 

[aaron.ivory.31]

Hello guy, there loads of choices or P13W Led's on eBay prices are from €25 to €4. Ino in some sense you get what you pay for, but are most of these CanBus type and do they need to be the CanBus type, I can't find any that say CanBus or error free. Does it matter?

Aaron

 

[M90KKL]

Hello guy, there loads of choices or P13W Led's on eBay prices are from €25 to €4. Ino in some sense you get what you pay for, but are most of these CanBus type and do they need to be the CanBus type, I can't find any that say CanBus or error free. Does it matter?

Aaron

I would contact Trups (tr8ps) site sponsor, he can supply you with error free kits! You need an error free kit.

 

[RS5 JON]

I would contact Trups (tr8ps) site sponsor, he can supply you with error free kits! You need an error free kit.

+1, Trups is your man.
JG

 

[t8ups]

Hello guy, there loads of choices or P13W Led's on eBay prices are from €25 to €4. Ino in some sense you get what you pay for, but are most of these CanBus type and do they need to be the CanBus type, I can't find any that say CanBus or error free. Does it matter?

Aaron

I Stock them here in the UK, they are £18 per pair and are error free versions.

Trups

 

[linners]

Just completed this mod today - very happy with the end result

Followed deserstorm's thread - had a numpty moment though when I ended up removing the cover for the indicator bulb instead of the 2nd DRL bulb
I can't believe Audi have made it so difficult to change an indicator bulb....

I used the gaffer method of sealing the cutouts as I'm going to be opening the light units up to do the projector HID install next month when I put my order in with t8ups. Noticed that there was some misting in one of my light units but the dealer told me that it was down to some over zealous jet washing prior to me picking the car up 2 weeks ago but have since discovered a small crack on the top corner (where it meets the wing). I'll have a go at fixing it when I take the lens cover off the unit

Also took the opportunity to change my reverse lights to LED's but they are throwing up bulb failures and they are supposed to be CANBUS.... I tried coding the problem out only to discover that my old KEY-USB VAGCOM cable doesn't support CANBUS. As a very occasional VCDS user, I can't warrant spending $159 + shipping for a new one. WIll have to call on my trusty mechanic unless there is a nice forum member in the Enfield area with a newer dongle than mine who would care to help??? I can provide a lovely cuppa (or 2,3,4) for your troubles

 

[Biggus]

Thanks all, I've followed this and have managed to replace my DRL's on my B8 however I have noticed that the 2nd set of DRL's are not active so I only have one light per side on. Is there something I've missed?

 

[RS5 JON]

What do you mean by "second set" of DRL's? All bulbs should light up at the same time, something strange here, suggest you take out bulbs and check connections or swap bulbs around, you can check this without putting lights fully fitted back into the car, you may have a set of faulty bulbs, or loose connections.
JG

 

[Biggus]

In each head light there are two DRL's, I've highlited it in the photo DRL1 in red and DRL2 in yellow. (I know its hard to see) but only DRL1 lights up on mine. Looking around I've noticed this on a few A4's even when I did a search in google images there are some with both lights lit up and some with only one. So im not sure if I've got something broke or there is a strange setting somewhere.

 

[Biggus]

Here is one with one light working per side.

 

[desertstorm]

The DRL's are both on when the headlights aren't . As soon as you turn the headlight on only one DRL stops on to act as a sidelight.
The DRL's double up as sidelights.

 

[Biggus]

OK. I'll do some further investigation. So your saying.. if I switch my lights to auto and its daytime all the DRL should be on? but as soon as I switch it to sidelights/full lights one of the lights should drop out?