Hi there. Its been years since I've been in this forum after being an active member. Hope everyone is still enjoying their German beast. Well, I don't work anymore or drive my 2004 A8 that often, just on short distances. The warranty has run out a couple of years ago. Yes, money is an issue nowadays.

The passenger side headlight ( small, main one ) is out and I would like to look into doing it myself but have a few questions. I know it went out before and the dealer replaced it at no charge because it was caused by a faulty ballast behind the lights.

My questions are -

1- Doing yourself for an average mechanic is possible right?
2- Does the ENTIRE headlight assembly need replacing or just the bulb?
3- Is there a way to surely determine that it is not the ballast and not the bulb thats causing the outage? Right now, the bigger lamp shines just a tad from its mini bulb.
4- Where would I go for the part?

Any information would greatly be appreciated.

Thank you,

Alex

 

I would say it is a very high chance it is just the lamp and the ballast is fine.

The lamps are available on-line from many suppliers - D2s is all you need.
http://www.sylvania.com/en-us/applic...s/lrgmain.aspx


To replace it you have to remove the inner wheel arch liner and then reach the back of the headlight housing from there - wheel off etc...

It is not as bad as it sounds and should take about an hour all-in.

depending on which side, I think the air filter housing may need to be removed - I have one on both sides as mine has two, so I am not sure about 4.2 petrol engined car.

 

depending on which side, I think the air filter housing may need to be removed - I have one on both sides as mine has two, so I am not sure about 4.2 petrol engined car.[/QUOTE]



Removed on mine only the inner wheel arch. No need to remove the filter housing!

 

find my thread on headlamp replacement. I did a fairly picture intensive one on bulb replacement that will help you. You DO NOT need to replace the whole headlamp, but yes, remove it, or at least detach it to get to the bulbs etc.

You need to be fairly mechanically competent and dextrous.

To get to the back of the pass side, I split the intake at the air flow meter hose, and removed the whole airbox, leaving the AFM plugged in.

Drivers' side, loosen and tie up out of the way the coolant tank and the PAS tank too, just gives you the room you need to get in the back there, but still very fiddly.

The ballast is held, essentially, in the rear covers of the back of the head light, so easy to replace, just plug and play. There is a small screw that holds the ballast in, i.e. that you need to remove before 'unclipping' the cover. The ignitors are just screw on/off on the back of the bulbs, and are a bit fiddly as the cable that goes to them has to be put in once it's attached back on there (I think. It has a kind of 'cam' thing that releases the cable from the ignitor once it's turned)

Only four bolts hold the headlight housing in. I just used masking tape all around the fender/bumper aperture, loosened the front fender bolt, and eased the light out far enough to get to the backs of them.

PM me if you get stuck.

K9

 

Awesome !! I will follow these instructions and is now more confident in doing the job. Thank you so much guys for your help!

Alex