Euro spec 99.5 taillamp retrofit . . . Done.
09-30-1999, 08:17 AM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Euro spec 99.5 taillamp retrofit . . . Done.
Hey Everyone,
It's official. I've changed every piece of exterior lighting on my A4. Last night, I retrofitted Euro spec 99.5 taillamps on my 98 A4.
I wanted the Euro spec lamps because of the yellow turn signals. I went with the 99.5 lamps because they are much cleaner looking from the side. 98 owners will know what I'm talking about. Looking at the side of the taillamp, each "section" of the taillamp seems to end at a different place. On the Euro 99.5 taillamps, all the the sections line up on the side. A much cleaner look in my opinion.
Because I am retrofitting 99.5 taillamps on a 98, it means it was not a simple swap as Stan Jirman had done. The 99.5's turn signal and reverse lights are flipped around from the 98 model, so I had to go into the wiring harness that plugs into the bulb holders and swap connectors.
These connectors are a real pain to get out of the harness. In fact, I broke one while pulling it out. I had to use a soldering iron to put it back together. While I was already swapping connectors for the turn signals and reverse lamps, I also went and swapped the connectors for the rear fogs and brake lamps. Now when I hit my brakes, the top section of the taillamps light up. So now I have a different, and higher up set of lights that light up when I brake, making it more obvious to drivers behind me. And now when I turn on my rear fogs, they're basically brighter taillights. The relocation of my brake lights also mean my brakes are still quite obvious when I have rear fogs on.
One interesting thing, the wires in the harness don't match from left to right. For instance, position 1 in the left harness is for reverse, but position 1 in the right side harness is for the taillamp. Glad I tested both sides before swapping connectors.
I really like the way my taillights look now. Very clean, and very functional. Now it's time to play "name that model year" with my car. =Þ
* 99.5 on taillights that don't light up as they should . . .
* 98 and before door handles
* What the heck kind of headlights are those? dual rounds?
James Wu <i>(lighting freak)</i>
<a href="http://vancouver.a4.org" target="_top">Vancouver A4 Club</a>
1998?? Black/Onyx 1.8tqa
<a href="http://home.mdi.ca/james561" target="_top">James' Audi A4 Page</a>
It's official. I've changed every piece of exterior lighting on my A4. Last night, I retrofitted Euro spec 99.5 taillamps on my 98 A4.
I wanted the Euro spec lamps because of the yellow turn signals. I went with the 99.5 lamps because they are much cleaner looking from the side. 98 owners will know what I'm talking about. Looking at the side of the taillamp, each "section" of the taillamp seems to end at a different place. On the Euro 99.5 taillamps, all the the sections line up on the side. A much cleaner look in my opinion.
Because I am retrofitting 99.5 taillamps on a 98, it means it was not a simple swap as Stan Jirman had done. The 99.5's turn signal and reverse lights are flipped around from the 98 model, so I had to go into the wiring harness that plugs into the bulb holders and swap connectors.
These connectors are a real pain to get out of the harness. In fact, I broke one while pulling it out. I had to use a soldering iron to put it back together. While I was already swapping connectors for the turn signals and reverse lamps, I also went and swapped the connectors for the rear fogs and brake lamps. Now when I hit my brakes, the top section of the taillamps light up. So now I have a different, and higher up set of lights that light up when I brake, making it more obvious to drivers behind me. And now when I turn on my rear fogs, they're basically brighter taillights. The relocation of my brake lights also mean my brakes are still quite obvious when I have rear fogs on.
One interesting thing, the wires in the harness don't match from left to right. For instance, position 1 in the left harness is for reverse, but position 1 in the right side harness is for the taillamp. Glad I tested both sides before swapping connectors.
I really like the way my taillights look now. Very clean, and very functional. Now it's time to play "name that model year" with my car. =Þ
* 99.5 on taillights that don't light up as they should . . .
* 98 and before door handles
* What the heck kind of headlights are those? dual rounds?
James Wu <i>(lighting freak)</i>
<a href="http://vancouver.a4.org" target="_top">Vancouver A4 Club</a>
1998?? Black/Onyx 1.8tqa
<a href="http://home.mdi.ca/james561" target="_top">James' Audi A4 Page</a>
09-30-1999, 08:31 AM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Euro spec 99.5 taillamp retrofit . . . Done.
Cool! I looked at your web page -- great looking car. How long until you get some
brake light pics on there?
I'm getting a 99.5 2.8 (picking up this saturday). Sounds like this would be a lot
easier to do on 99.5 car? Where did you get the euro-spec brake lights, how much
did they cost, and is there anywere on the web I can see a picture of them?
Sorry for all the questions, but I'm really interested in this, and didn't see anything
in the FAQ. Thanks for the info.
brake light pics on there?
I'm getting a 99.5 2.8 (picking up this saturday). Sounds like this would be a lot
easier to do on 99.5 car? Where did you get the euro-spec brake lights, how much
did they cost, and is there anywere on the web I can see a picture of them?
Sorry for all the questions, but I'm really interested in this, and didn't see anything
in the FAQ. Thanks for the info.