***Cautions: ***

1.At all times take care not to bend cables as they may kink.

2. Insulate all disconnected wires to avoid short circuits during procedure.

3. Mark window carrier position carefully before loosening bolts.

4. Watch for small clips attached to the Bowden cable at the door trim end.

These traps aside the procedure is quite simple.

First the obvious---check bulbs

Then proceed to:

Unfasten two Bowden cables and unplug wires from window carrier-remove cable ties etc.

Remove rubber door seal to window height. -[fig 1.]


[fig1]

Carefully mark position of carrier with felt pen then Loosen four large bolts in alphabetical order -[as per: fig 2 and 3]

[Bolts c and d are the slightly longer ones].


[fig2]

[fig3]

**Note:**

Look carefully a route of release Bowden cable through carrier.

Ignore Support carrier until removed.
Do not to lose adjusting wedge -[E] fig 3.

Then remove carrier by lifting up and taking care not to damage the Bowden cable [suggest easier with two people, also for replacement]

[see fig  4&5]  


[fig4]

[fig5]

Release outside door handle from lock by swinging plastic clip to the side and gently pulling the metal lever attached to lock from handle mechanism.

*Note: observe how this is connected at both ends for ease of reassembly.

Undo two hex screws on outside edge of door and release plastic wire clips/cable ties to remove lock from door. - [ fig 6.].[The hose on top of the lock for central locking may be left connected if ties to door are released but take care not to bend  kink 0r break this hose].

Suggest clean, lubricate and work the lock mechanism- [ Fig 7.] and check for damage.-You may want to reconnect wires so that behavior of lights can be observed but note that after some seconds the lights automatically switch off needing the door to be closed and opened again or the central locking operated on and off to reactivate switch.


[fig6]

[fig7]

Check that the cables are sliding very freely and allowing the lock to return to rest fully so closing the circuit and lighting puddle lights and door red warning lights.

Also check the internal spring has enough power to pull the latch completely back to rest position with all cables connected and central locking operated as this pump is not all that powerful.

**Note:** I observed that the lights worked fine when the release cable was disconnected and then on closer inspection noted my cable was a little impeded. As the inner was a solid sprung wire and because of the slight bend in the cable route from lock to handle had become ever so slightly kinked. [This would not matter in a new assembly, as the return spring in the lock would still be strong enough to pull the cable and catch to full rest position]. So I have had a soft wire inner made up to prevent recurrence.

The cable inner should be very free moving to allow time-weakened spring in lock to return easily.

If this does not fix then repair/replace lock or rig external return spring.

[fig 8] shows part # for 1996 A8 heated lock


[fig8]

Then carefully reassemble taking care to feed Bowden cable through the same route as it was without kinking. Use earlier marks to realign window carrier and tighten bolts in alphabetical order. Don’t forget the adjusting wedge.

Reconnect wires and cables.

Wash hands thoroughly

Reassemble door trims.

Pack up tools then go see what is for tea knowing that you have achieved something today that might stop someone stepping out of your car and into a puddle.

“Oh the important things in life”