josepeter22

So today I got my Q5 back after it had been hit in my parking lot, while parked. The body shop put on a new bumper, and refinished the rear quarter panel, I picked it up at 5pm and when I was pulling it my driveway a dummy light went on saying the rear light was out. The seems like quite the coincidence, is this the body shops fault? Could of they messed something up with the wiring, causing it to blow a light? I need to call Audi and the body shop and get this resolved, any advise would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

rdA4WtQ5

Collisions often damage incandescent lamp filaments. In this case it seems likely that a connector was not attached correctly. The rear lamps in the bumper are incandescent bulbs. Often you can tap on the lens and they light again with the broken filament welding itself together for a little while anyway. You could play dumb and ask why the bulb wasn't replaced.

m1964

You need to find out which of the real lights is not working: the small light bulb in the bumper or the "main" rear light cluster in the rear quarter panel which is LEDs and may be expensive to replace.

V8BOB

Why not just bring it back to the body shop and ask them to check it out.

Bob

josepeter22

Bob,

I just spoke with the body shop, they want me to bring it by. However, are body shops qualified to work on a newer Audi? This is my 3rd Audi, and one thing I do know, is that the wiring and electronics are highly sensitive.. Also, I looked for a light out last night, and could not find a light out. Why is the warning light going on, but no light actually out?

Thanks for your input.

V8BOB

In the owners manual for my 2014 it says the the lamp malfunction indicator is supposed tell you the location of the failed bulb. Maybe "rear lamp" is as precise as it gets. You have 2 license lamps, the high mount stop lamp that may be out but not that apparent at first glance. If they had to replace a bulb because it was burned out I think you want to make sure its the same wattage as the original. I tend to look for the most likely problem like a burnt out bulb or one that is not tight or seated properly before jumping to wiring problems. Have a second individual work the brakes, turn signals, head lights, fog lights while you stand back there and watch. You also have back-up lamps and side marker lamps in the rear bumper. I don't think I've seen that many lights on the back of a vehicle since "Close Encounters of The 3rd Kind"

https://i.imgur.com/sVBGqvc.mp4

Good Luck and report back with your findings.

Bob

rdA4WtQ5

Turn on your lights and open your hatch. You should now see the light that is out.
When the hatch is opened the lighting switches from your hatch to your bumper. Close your hatch it switches back to your hatch.
The bulb monitor system works if the light is turned on or not but not always right away.

rdA4WtQ5

You are welcome.

josepeter22

I got it, it was the 921 little light on the very end, was very blown.. burnt to a crisp. All is good, I appreciate the advise, I would have never found that screw, I knew taking the entire bumper off to change a light bulb sounded ludicrous.