Replacing a tail light?
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Member
Joined: May 2007
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Replacing a tail light?
Anyone have any pointers or a how-to for replacing a tail light? I haven't done ANY work on my 04 A4 3.0QM6 yet (only had it a few months), but last night I got the "right rear light out" message on my dash. I'd like to replace it myself, and assume that it isn't too difficult.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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Not too difficult, requires a screwdriver.
Open the trunk. Note the little circle in the carpeted material at the same height as the taillight, on the side of the trunk opening. Pry open that carpeted piece, revealing the Philips screw underneath.
Unscrew Philips screw (it's kind of long), then pull the lights away from the car towards the back. There are two friction plugs on the outside edges of the taillight. Just pull a little harder and they come out.
Unclip the wiring harness if you want, and remove the light board from the housing (two friction clips). Find the bulb you want to replace, twist out, twist in new one, assembly reverse of disassembly.
Unscrew Philips screw (it's kind of long), then pull the lights away from the car towards the back. There are two friction plugs on the outside edges of the taillight. Just pull a little harder and they come out.
Unclip the wiring harness if you want, and remove the light board from the housing (two friction clips). Find the bulb you want to replace, twist out, twist in new one, assembly reverse of disassembly.
AudiWorld Uber User
Joined: Feb 2005
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It's not user replaceable. You must take it to the dealer. Total bill is $350.
Nah. J/K
All you need is a screwdriver.
<img src="http://TgrClw.smugmug.com/photos/197346579-L.jpg">
<img src="http://TgrClw.smugmug.com/photos/197346617-L.jpg">
Sorry for the glare. Didn't notice it until I uploaded the pics.
All you need is a screwdriver.
<img src="http://TgrClw.smugmug.com/photos/197346579-L.jpg">
<img src="http://TgrClw.smugmug.com/photos/197346617-L.jpg">
Sorry for the glare. Didn't notice it until I uploaded the pics.
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 139
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Excellent
Sounds like something I can take care of this afternoon. Is there a listing somewhere of what size bulbs we need for all of the different applications in our cars?
Thanks for your help.
-w
Thanks for your help.
-w
Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,334
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7528 is the brake/running light
autozone special.
the bottom most (left most or right most on each respective side) is the most prone to go out.
its dual filament so your brake will work (or not) and the running light will go out. there's tons of bulbs back there i've never had anything fail other than that and the obvious orange blinker.
matter of fact i just did right rear brake light, and boom today i got left rear light when i turned on my lights this morning so thank god you buy a few packs at once.
more than anything its just freaking annoying that bomb on the display. I wish we could reprogram the icons to mario characters
the bottom most (left most or right most on each respective side) is the most prone to go out.
its dual filament so your brake will work (or not) and the running light will go out. there's tons of bulbs back there i've never had anything fail other than that and the obvious orange blinker.
matter of fact i just did right rear brake light, and boom today i got left rear light when i turned on my lights this morning so thank god you buy a few packs at once.
more than anything its just freaking annoying that bomb on the display. I wish we could reprogram the icons to mario characters
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,645
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From: SEPA
you need this...
<center><img src="http://kalecoauto.com/images/BlinkFluid.jpg"></center><p>just playing. the rear tails are real easy. when you open the trunk, look at the edge by the side of the tail lights. their's a little round cover. remove it to reveal a bolt. undo bolt and tail lights will pull away from the car.<ul><li><a href="http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&p roducts_id=6">buy here!</a></li></ul>
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Joe Kucinski
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From: Alexandria, VA
You sedan owners have it easy!
The plug for the Avant is on the side of the tailgate opening, and the bolt head is a couple of inches beyond the opening. Quite easy to lose the bolt in that gulf between the housing and the plug. Which I have done.
Thus requiring that little extended grippy tool with the three claws that extend from the end...? Anyway, it's sad to realize you need special tools for replacing a taillight. MBZs and BMWs, you loosen some thumbscrews and take it out without a single tool.
Thus requiring that little extended grippy tool with the three claws that extend from the end...? Anyway, it's sad to realize you need special tools for replacing a taillight. MBZs and BMWs, you loosen some thumbscrews and take it out without a single tool.