number plate light bulb holders

[Widemonkeys]

Pm me your address and i'll stick a set in the post free of charge (audi-sport discount lol)

Mine came today top man

 

[coyote]

This thread finally gave me the motivation I needed to buy the parts and get the tools out this morning. I now have 2 fully working numberplate lights.

Cheers guys:icon_thumright:

 

[Widemonkeys]

I've got the tool and parts but can't get the boot plastics off!!!

 

[coyote]

Undo the 2 screws under where the warning triangle goes, and 1 screw in each of the handles that you pull the hatch back down with.... then pull the bitch off

 

[Widemonkeys]

I've tried but i don't want to break the boot cover.

 

[CHRIS555]

I've tried but i don't want to break the boot cover.

Don't worry, it's secured with retaining clips on the back so you will have to pull it off - it's stronger than you think, but once you've got your fingers under and pulled one off the next are real easy.

PS. I've just read this message back to myself and I'd like to say "no puns please!!"

 

[Widemonkeys]

Ha ha very good, I'll give it a go on Tuesday and let u know

 

[quattrojames]

This might help you with the tailgate trim:

 

[itsmeagain]

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!

Finally got round to changing my old damaged panel, i broke it months ago trying to get the screws out. All changed now.

 

[itsmeagain]

Now my LEDs are not working, got only one working. Must be a dodgy bulb, gotta order some more now.

 

[CHRIS555]

Just thought - your bulbs are probably ok - when I did mine they did not work - it turns out that the lense metal pronges can easily miss the contact point within the moulding wiring - i was 100% sure i did mine right - I had not!!! I took the moulding off and took it in the kitchen and put it under some lighting - there are some spaces / gaps on the back of it where, with the help of some light, you can see if the contacts are "contacting" and mine were not, on either of them!! Basically you just need to play around with the long metal prong until it touches, and hey presto all sorted!

Apparently this is a common problem as well - especially if you have changed the light covers for new ones, like me, as the new ones have slightly different length pronges.

Try this before buying any more bulbs, hope it works

 

[Widemonkeys]

Finally got it done what a Pratt on. All the nuts were corroded nd wouldn't come off! Took me 2 hrs. Worth in the end thow can't wait till it's dark

 

[itsmeagain]

Just thought - your bulbs are probably ok - when I did mine they did not work - it turns out that the lense metal pronges can easily miss the contact point within the moulding wiring - i was 100% sure i did mine right - I had not!!! I took the moulding off and took it in the kitchen and put it under some lighting - there are some spaces / gaps on the back of it where, with the help of some light, you can see if the contacts are "contacting" and mine were not, on either of them!! Basically you just need to play around with the long metal prong until it touches, and hey presto all sorted!

Apparently this is a common problem as well - especially if you have changed the light covers for new ones, like me, as the new ones have slightly different length pronges.

Try this before buying any more bulbs, hope it works

I am gonna have another look tomorrow, hopefully that is the problem

 

[Shane-Ireland]

Just thought - your bulbs are probably ok - when I did mine they did not work - it turns out that the lense metal pronges can easily miss the contact point within the moulding wiring - i was 100% sure i did mine right - I had not!!! I took the moulding off and took it in the kitchen and put it under some lighting - there are some spaces / gaps on the back of it where, with the help of some light, you can see if the contacts are "contacting" and mine were not, on either of them!! Basically you just need to play around with the long metal prong until it touches, and hey presto all sorted!

Apparently this is a common problem as well - especially if you have changed the light covers for new ones, like me, as the new ones have slightly different length pronges.

Try this before buying any more bulbs, hope it works

Chris is spot on here,one of mine proved a right bitch,i had to bend and re shape the prongs so the would contact and even noe sometimes if i slam the tailgate too hard that one goes off for a second!!

 

[itsmeagain]

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.

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.

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

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.

New shiney LEDS.

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.

Thanks mate my bolts arrived this morning, fitted perfect. Only problem is that my stupid bulbs are playing up now, gonna just order some more bulbs.

 

[quattrojames]

New LED bulbs? Check.
New light lenses? Check.
New screws? Check.
Copper grease? Check.

You know when sometimes you wonder why you bother?

Screws were solid as expected, so I drilled around the lenses, and got one of them out, the screw was still solid and even with mole grips wasn't budging. And then it sheared off.

So tail gate trim out, undid lock mechanism etc and found this:

WTF?

This is in such a bad state I'll have to replace it, so stuck now till I can get to the dealers on Monday

It's appalling how bad these get.

 

[CHRIS555]

New LED bulbs? Check.
New light lenses? Check.
New screws? Check.
Copper grease? Check.

You know when sometimes you wonder why you bother?

Screws were solid as expected, so I drilled around the lenses, and got one of them out, the screw was still solid and even with mole grips wasn't budging. And then it sheared off.

So tail gate trim out, undid lock mechanism etc and found this:

WTF?

This is in such a bad state I'll have to replace it, so stuck now till I can get to the dealers on Monday

It's appalling how bad these get.

Yeah, thats not good - just so you know in advance you'll need to take off the wiring loom on the moulding - i'd give this a really good clean and looking over - i actually bought another wiring loom (because i'm fussy) to go with all the other new parts, I think it could around £25
Good luck mate - welcome to the strange tormenting world of "changing a lightbulb on an Audi!!!"

 

[itsmeagain]

New LED bulbs? Check.
New light lenses? Check.
New screws? Check.
Copper grease? Check.

You know when sometimes you wonder why you bother?

Screws were solid as expected, so I drilled around the lenses, and got one of them out, the screw was still solid and even with mole grips wasn't budging. And then it sheared off.

So tail gate trim out, undid lock mechanism etc and found this:

WTF?

This is in such a bad state I'll have to replace it, so stuck now till I can get to the dealers on Monday

It's appalling how bad these get.

That looks like its been at the bottom of the sea for years. LOL

 

[Widemonkeys]

Thats what mine looked like except when mine came out it had a big crack in and snapped in two.

 

[quattrojames]

Yeah, thats not good - just so you know in advance you'll need to take off the wiring loom on the moulding - i'd give this a really good clean and looking over - i actually bought another wiring loom (because i'm fussy) to go with all the other new parts, I think it could around £25
Good luck mate - welcome to the strange tormenting world of "changing a lightbulb on an Audi!!!"

Thanks for the tip. I'll have a good look when I transfer it across, at the moment it looks ok, but I didn't want to start removing it until I have a like for like part to transfer it too.

I'm just glad that none of the corrosion has transferred itself to the tailgate, or else I'd have been forced to buy a Euro style one.......

 

[scott b]

going back to were people have said use m3x20 bolts to secure the number plate bulb holders insted of audi the screws, i tried this yesterday and it seemed that they wouldnt grip into the plastic were the screw had been?

 

[quattrojames]

they wouldnt grip into the plastic were the screw had been?

Do you mean the plastic of the light lens? Or the metal/aluminium of the lamp holder?

 

[scott b]

light lense

 

[Gaz!]

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.

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.

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

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.

New shiney LEDS.

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.

I dont supose you have any of these screws left have you mate? Im having to do this as now neither of my bulbs are working.

 

[quattrojames]

I always like to end on a happy ending!

 

[quattrojames]

All back together and debadged too:

 

[swarcup]

All back together and debadged too:

You missed one. lol

 

[quattrojames]

It looks plain with nothing there IMO.....

I might rebadge it 4.2TDi

 

[simon.m]

i thought that when i first took all mine of james so stuck the s one on mine from the s4 ;-) does take a bit of time to get used to it but is better for cleaning too 4.2 a that would worry a few when thinking about get you of the lights lol

 

[Shane-Ireland]

going back to were people have said use m3x20 bolts to secure the number plate bulb holders insted of audi the screws, i tried this yesterday and it seemed that they wouldnt grip into the plastic were the screw had been?

20mm are too long the screw/bolt will bottom out not allowing you to screw it all the way in.

I dont supose you have any of these screws left have you mate? Im having to do this as now neither of my bulbs are working.

I do PM me your address and i'll sort you out.

 

[itsmeagain]

Just thought - your bulbs are probably ok - when I did mine they did not work - it turns out that the lense metal pronges can easily miss the contact point within the moulding wiring - i was 100% sure i did mine right - I had not!!! I took the moulding off and took it in the kitchen and put it under some lighting - there are some spaces / gaps on the back of it where, with the help of some light, you can see if the contacts are "contacting" and mine were not, on either of them!! Basically you just need to play around with the long metal prong until it touches, and hey presto all sorted!

Apparently this is a common problem as well - especially if you have changed the light covers for new ones, like me, as the new ones have slightly different length pronges.

Try this before buying any more bulbs, hope it works

Finally after my new bulbs arrived this morning, I now have working bulbs. I played around with the metal prongs on the bulb holder and hey presto they worked. I can put my number plate back on now. LOL

 

[CHRIS555]

Finally after my new bulbs arrived this morning, I now have working bulbs. I played around with the metal prongs on the bulb holder and hey presto they worked. I can put my number plate back on now. LOL

Good man!

 

[quattrojames]

These are an interesting alternative:

Dectane - LED License Plate Audi A3 8P, A4 B6, A4 , A6, A8, uva.

 

[simon.m]

wow i bet they would be brite

 

[Turkster]

 

[Turkster]

 

[CHRIS555]

Nice!

 

[Shane-Ireland]

hex heads FTW lol

 

[quattrojames]

hex heads FTW lol

I'll be removing mine and regreasing once a month from now on!

 

[Turkster]

hex heads FTW lol

LOL