Have to say I do like the Xenons....but jeez even just changing the bulbs is hard as Audi very kindly gave 0.3mm of slack on the wire connector. Then the ballast pack job...I've still got the backache I think! hahahah
What have you done to your Audi A4 B7 today?
- Thread starter Dani_B19
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Newer simple better dual diversity FM/AM antenna, not the older ZF complex diversity kind too, I should add lol - much easier to update if you still value FM radio that is. There's no solution for good radio reception on the pre-2007s, since with ZF you are only ever using one of three ariels in the rear windscreens, even with an amplifier and even with the best aftermarkets.
I know Matt the B7s are crazy - you can take off the headlights on a B6 without removing the whole blinking bumper, and you always cut yourself just changing the main beams. Those pesky sidelights too (which are an MOT failure if down) jeez!
Forgot to add (and then me done for a while
) Halogens are the worst for short life, particularly dipped mains and I've coded to Nordic DRLs (always on front and rear, except in sidelight position) since it looks better to me and I never have to remember to switch them on, so even less. I go for extra long life rather than Nightbreakers or such, which are hardly any brighter either and super short life (though GE Megalight H7s are supposed to be both). I now get a upto a couple of years out of them reliably, I'm hoping longer with these Osram Ultralifes.
) Halogens are the worst for short life, particularly dipped mains and I've coded to Nordic DRLs (always on front and rear, except in sidelight position) since it looks better to me and I never have to remember to switch them on, so even less. I go for extra long life rather than Nightbreakers or such, which are hardly any brighter either and super short life (though GE Megalight H7s are supposed to be both). I now get a upto a couple of years out of them reliably, I'm hoping longer with these Osram Ultralifes.
Old g28 sensor is replaced, what a headache to get to the bolt. If any of you have to do it remove the coolant bottle and remove the intake support nearest to the bulkhead, than from underneath, remove the last bolt so you can get to the bolt from the g28 sensor. Stick your hand in from the gearbox side and you'll soon have the 10mm bolt out.
It sits right above the middle of the sensor, just make sure you use a 3/8 or 1/4 deep socket on a ratchet. That did the trick on mine.
Took me longer than I expected, because I had to findout how to get to the bolt since I couldn't see it at all so you all know
It sits right above the middle of the sensor, just make sure you use a 3/8 or 1/4 deep socket on a ratchet. That did the trick on mine.
Took me longer than I expected, because I had to findout how to get to the bolt since I couldn't see it at all so you all know
Yesterday i took the car battery off and put it overnight on a trickle charger and gave it a deep charge. It just finished and i put it back on, the car started nice and quick. I'll do this more often from now on as i read it prolongs the life of the battery. Before i put the battery back i pulled the hover out and cleaned out the scuttle area... it was needed and glad i pulled the battery off otherwise i wouldn't have noticed all the dirt collected under the battery. another thing checked.. all that is left is giving the car a wash, as it's covered in pollen dust. i might just go to a jetwash boot and blow it all off, it's way faster than me using the old bucket system.
And done car is all clean now and runs like better than it has in a long time... No errors in any modules either as i scanned the car to make sure all is fine.
Badge back on the engine cover this morning. I've left it several hours and it feels like it won't be coming off any time soon.
Tiger seal is overkill but I only used a small amount, and it should tolerate the temps / vibrations. I didn't trust a lot of other adhesives for that reason.
Tiger seal is overkill but I only used a small amount, and it should tolerate the temps / vibrations. I didn't trust a lot of other adhesives for that reason.
Well the old gal's had her cataract op; the new headlights are on (bad photos, I'll try and get better when I wash it) . Mostly easy enough but there were a few siezed bolts, the OS HL retainer for one, and the risers that attach either side of the grill. Mostly aligned even though not perfect (The HLs are spot on) but I will revisit it again in the future, the side attachments to wing particularly - ideally if I had more pennies right now I would search for a perfect S-Line bumper and grill but you can't see it from outside. Really pleased with the HLs though, they really do spruce up the old car, and they are a signifficant improvement illumination wise over the others, even though just halogens. A bit of condensation internally to start with and I suspect that may happen from time to tim, but they seem to be vented well since it soon clears. The PPF was pants so I have some spray coating to protect new lights which will go on after the wash. Oh and they have a much simpler (cheaper) method of fitting H7s - just a retaining spring instead of the complex spring collar - which should make them simpler for changing too.
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On the OS that was one that siezed Matt, it took some work, I used some of this: https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-cht659-long-screwdriver-set-ts-star/ . In a perfect world, along with a new bumper/grill it could do with the complete new Audi fitting kit - but at £166 it'll do. All in all though, may not be the finest around and only a modest example in the B7 line-up, but she's a long way today, from how we found each other 8 years ago, and she runs and now sees like new.
BTW whilst searching for new HLs over a long period and coming up against LHD and RHD halogens, I discovered what the lines on the lens are for. They were for special fesnel type vertical stick ons, whilst driving abroad, that deflected but didn't diminish as much the power (or lack of) of the lights like the cheap stick ons that you get from Halfords and such. It was something like 12 lines in for placement on one side, IIRC. They are no longer made and I can't even find a number for the B7s but the B6s part number was 8E0998981A. Nerdy I know lol, but a record here nonetheless.
Thanks bud! They do make the whole car look much newer and mainly they are very practical and safer performing as they should too IMV. The old lights although not too bad, were diffusing and scattering light all over due to the fine stone chips that I could never buff out properly. Off they looked clear but on you could hardly see the bulbs.@B7Tourer looks good that
Here's a picture of the Audi (B6) headlight part for travelling abroad I was speaking of, very different you can see from Halford's own - I don't think the Xenons have or need these lines (or need this part) on the headlights, I could be wrong.
As they say... the small things. New light switch - the other was good cosmetically but I'd disassembled it and only replaced the cap, losing a couple of felt runners; so this is smoother in op and the red led works now too. I've bought a correct fittment Audi shape microphone for the roof console - currently I'd displaced the sensor for the interior motion alarm to fit a round mic, so now I can put that back and move the Audi mic out of the way to make way for this. It's a Denison accessory for their Gateway products and looks reasonable quality, better than the existing one I imagine, though never had trouble with calls really. I just want to tackle this for when I install a new alarm speaker unit.
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Isn't it simply + and - on the display, Matt? Same as used to change time and date?
Ah could be, I don't think I've ever tried it...will report back
Yep that's got it...thanks Steve nice one
Never used that function before....today old and all that hahahah, my dials were set to only about half to 3/4 brightness as it turns out, I kept thinking they seemed a bit dull at night.
I've only ever used the +/- after pressing MODE for changing the clock forward or back an hour lol
Never used that function before....today old and all that hahahah, my dials were set to only about half to 3/4 brightness as it turns out, I kept thinking they seemed a bit dull at night.
I've only ever used the +/- after pressing MODE for changing the clock forward or back an hour lol
that's the first time i noticed that a b7 avant can actually come without the auto headlight switch... I'm so used to mine having it I wouldn't even consider owning a B7 that doesn't have it. I rarely need to touch the switch as it's so handy and works very well... the only time i actually touch the switch is when i want to make sure there is nothing draining power.
Yeah that's another great option I don't have, lol. I coded mine for Nordic drls, so they are always on, I only have to remember to switch on then, when I can no longer see the dials, good for tunnels too. I'm surprised Audi didn't strip out the options on base S-Lines for the 'sporty' driver even more... you know? No A/C and no ICE, ha ha. Does anyone know the coding to illuminate dipped beam green in the dash warning? I know it is there, just as the main beam blue one is.
I may have to take that bumper off again
there's slight condensation on the OS new headlight, so I might have to look at the seal on it. It's not much and does clear but there is none on the NS. I'm going to have to take it somewhere for proper HL aim too. They are definitely marked RHD but I swear they are throwing too much light to the right. I haven't been flashed anywhere and it seems to tally for the UK when I aim at a flat wall (a flatish line rising to the left) - maybe it's because they are so much more bright. For now I've put them on lower electric height adjustment.
I'm not sure if it's hidden in module 17.. either 07 or long coding... I didn't have to mess with my cluster so I didn't have to use the coding part of the cluster.
Thanks bud! I'll have a look. Happy to report the new HLs are definitely RHD, after having them checked, and the condensation seems to have disappeared - I think I'm just not used to them being so clear. I bought these (below) for when she next rocks the continent, which is soon to see my grown up daughters. I so hate those Goddamned Eurolites that just block light. These bend it like the Audi items I mentioned before, hard to get now:
Washed the pollen off the car, the only good thing about that is you don't need to use any shampoo, just a good shammy leather and a bucket of water... still almost took me 2 hours to clean it, because after every wipe, the shammy needs to be rinsed a few times and repeat.
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Here's what she did to my car today.
Since her car being written off, another driver rear ending it, she has been using my car and every day I notice new marks, small scratches etc.
Since her car being written off, another driver rear ending it, she has been using my car and every day I notice new marks, small scratches etc.
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Mine have been fine now for about 3 weeks, strange but I'll take that over needing to repair straight away. The car had been sat still for over two months, unlikely but may have had something to do with it.
I did reverse the car in and I managed to hear the clicking, but one sensor was weak / silent some of the time, so I guess it will go down again.
Looking at your pic above, I reckon that will polish out?.....
I did reverse the car in and I managed to hear the clicking, but one sensor was weak / silent some of the time, so I guess it will go down again.
Looking at your pic above, I reckon that will polish out?.....
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Keep us posted please.
Yes most will come off - thank God!
That's my next task to sort the sensors.
As for this weekend, the seats have come out for a deep clean and condition.
Yes most will come off - thank God!
That's my next task to sort the sensors.
As for this weekend, the seats have come out for a deep clean and condition.
All being well I’m off to collect the b7 on the 22nd , getting excited now.
I was going to drive it back but I’ve opted to trailer it back just to be on the safe side.
Had a bit of spare time this afternoon, so decided to address the Matt black door trims in the Allroad, they weren’t Audi finish and just looked a bit bland.
Upon removing, they had been wrapped.
Now that could have been for any number of reasons, hopefully it wasn’t because they were marked.
Anyway, off with the wrap the material, then clean off all the old adhesive that was on the entire surface, then
polish.
So much nicer now.
I was going to drive it back but I’ve opted to trailer it back just to be on the safe side.
Had a bit of spare time this afternoon, so decided to address the Matt black door trims in the Allroad, they weren’t Audi finish and just looked a bit bland.
Upon removing, they had been wrapped.
Now that could have been for any number of reasons, hopefully it wasn’t because they were marked.
Anyway, off with the wrap the material, then clean off all the old adhesive that was on the entire surface, then
So much nicer now.
Its a very subtle wood finish Matt, quite dark walnut pattern, it's called "Vavona wood" , not the light wood "birchwood" finish that's normally fitted so that's a bonus as I'm not keen on the birchwood finish or colour.
that's a winner! I was unlucky when i went and removed the wrap on my b7's interior trim... except for the rear all the other things (including the ashtrays) have a mark or scratch on them... I've been looking for the brushed aluminium versions they used to have in the b6's at least when they get marked they can be refinished... not so much with the oem bog standard fishscale version that's in the b7's.
I missed a set on fb marketplace not too long ago but it had everything for 30 pounds... which is a big difference from the going prices but because of that it was sold in seconds.
I missed a set on fb marketplace not too long ago but it had everything for 30 pounds... which is a big difference from the going prices but because of that it was sold in seconds.
Had a nice little run out this afternoon to Norwich, 320 mile round trip and without getting stuck in endless traffic jams..lol
Had a meet-up on route with @northpole, and always nice to see a face behind the Avatar, hope the exhaust works out chap.
Back home by 8.00pm for a nice cuppa and biscuits.
Had a meet-up on route with @northpole, and always nice to see a face behind the Avatar, hope the exhaust works out chap.
Back home by 8.00pm for a nice cuppa and biscuits.
Yes same sentiment from my side here apart from the fact that i got home at 16:35. And i must say that a6 looks absolutely lovely, way better in the flesh than in the pictures.
But hey, you've seen my shed now, but as I said, i'm slowly working through the little things.. first up is getting the right tips for the dual exhaust, which i need to measure up first... the lot is still in the car as I had a busy day running around. I got home earlier just to end up working on another car. Not even mine but another neighbour with a problem. At least it was an easy fix and didn’t cost them any money. But it took a lot of stuff to remove to do it.
But hey, you've seen my shed now, but as I said, i'm slowly working through the little things.. first up is getting the right tips for the dual exhaust, which i need to measure up first... the lot is still in the car as I had a busy day running around. I got home earlier just to end up working on another car. Not even mine but another neighbour with a problem. At least it was an easy fix and didn’t cost them any money. But it took a lot of stuff to remove to do it.
And i noticed yesterday that one of the reverse led bulbs suddenly stopped working... actually, it stopped working right in front of @Charlie Farley ... I just fixed it l it was some corrosion inside the connector to the OS rear light cluster.. cleaned it, and all is nice and bright again.
So not the led bulb but the connector... lol I knew it wouldn't be the bulb.
So not the led bulb but the connector... lol I knew it wouldn't be the bulb.
well since collecting the exhaust from @Charlie Farley i've been slowly gathering the parts needed to get it on the car... yeah unlike what everyone thinks getting the middle exhaust pipe hanger, to be exact the one with part no: 8E0 253 144AJ, is a no can do... so i'll have to improvise and use the ones from my current middle exhaust... no these aren't similar and i wonder if i'll be able to use those without a problem or with a slight modification to the bracket to get it to hold the pipe on as the oem with the part number above does.
I did check the other ones in ETKA, but it seems like the FWD versions with a twin exhaust use the same hangers( yes two of them) for the middle exhaust on the single exhaust versions... time will tell. In the meantime i ordered some exhaust tips and new rear exhaust hangers (with new bracketes), priced up the exhaust sleeves (I need 3 of them). I already have the twin exit bumper apron. so once i found it all than i can finally fit it to the car. if i'm lucky it'll be within 2 weeks time. But that's me being very optimistic. I'll be watching out for people breaking 2.0t's quattro's so i can get the middle exhaust hanger used.... as i prefer to use the right parts instead of cobbling something up.
PS the difference between the fwd dual exhaust and the quattro dual exhaust is basically the size of the overall diameter of the downpipe and the fact that the middle exhaust box is a tad bigger (hence the different and sturdier exhaust hanger) anyways I'm on the hunt for it. as i rather do it rght in one go than have to mess about mixing and matching, or ending up needing to fabricate one from a universal version.
I did check the other ones in ETKA, but it seems like the FWD versions with a twin exhaust use the same hangers( yes two of them) for the middle exhaust on the single exhaust versions... time will tell. In the meantime i ordered some exhaust tips and new rear exhaust hangers (with new bracketes), priced up the exhaust sleeves (I need 3 of them). I already have the twin exit bumper apron. so once i found it all than i can finally fit it to the car. if i'm lucky it'll be within 2 weeks time. But that's me being very optimistic. I'll be watching out for people breaking 2.0t's quattro's so i can get the middle exhaust hanger used.... as i prefer to use the right parts instead of cobbling something up.
PS the difference between the fwd dual exhaust and the quattro dual exhaust is basically the size of the overall diameter of the downpipe and the fact that the middle exhaust box is a tad bigger (hence the different and sturdier exhaust hanger) anyways I'm on the hunt for it. as i rather do it rght in one go than have to mess about mixing and matching, or ending up needing to fabricate one from a universal version.
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