Upgraded tail lamps to 08+ (pics + wire install)

Lexdiamondz10304 · 2013-01-05 05:30:25

:D Picked up a few goodies from a local guy parting out an A8, I managed to pick up a used set of facelift tail lamps for $350 and a AMI unit for $75. I installed these about 2 weeks ago. I was unaware that wiring had to be done in order for these lamps to work properly, so after a bit of re-searching, I was able to install these with no problem. I included a few pictures regarding the wiring install to bridge the turn/stop signal across both lamps. http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b70/lexdiamondz/Picture009_zpsc3660805.png http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b70/lexdiamondz/566545_zps9c46b05a.png http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b70/lexdiamondz/Picture032_zps55cdb494.png http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b70/lexdiamondz/Picture033_zpsba216750.png http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b70/lexdiamondz/Picture034_zpsca008bc6.png http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b70/lexdiamondz/Picture044_zpseff59c91.png

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Jan 4, 2013 | 08:30 PM

Lexdiamondz10304

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Upgraded tail lamps to 08+ (pics + wire install)

Picked up a few goodies from a local guy parting out an A8, I managed to pick up a used set of facelift tail lamps for $350 and a AMI unit for $75. I installed these about 2 weeks ago. I was unaware that wiring had to be done in order for these lamps to work properly, so after a bit of re-searching, I was able to install these with no problem. I included a few pictures regarding the wiring install to bridge the turn/stop signal across both lamps.

Last edited by Lexdiamondz10304; Jan 4, 2013 at 10:20 PM.

Jan 5, 2013 | 04:47 AM

awdinut

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Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 1,937

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From: Kansas City

Thanks for taking the time to post that install. I always thought it would be a plug-n-play deal. I would like to do the upgrade some day, and I would never have figured out how to do on my own !

Jan 7, 2013 | 05:42 PM

josepht

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Joined: Oct 2011

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Great write up and pics. The upgraded lights look fantastic. I too, thought it would be plug and play.

Jan 7, 2013 | 10:48 PM

seriy_m5

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Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 49

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From: Kent WA

thanx

THANK YOU for the writeup. i changed mine a few months back but couldn't figure out how to wire the darn thing. Light out warning gets really annoying after a while.
Thanx again

Jan 8, 2013 | 03:45 AM

Sanders

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Joined: Jan 2010

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Interesting. Why are the US-spec lights different that requires wirinig? Do you have something we don't? They are plug and play on Euro cars.

Jan 8, 2013 | 04:18 AM

snapdragon

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From: NEWARK, UK

There are coding options for different rear lights, including SAE spec whatever that is, I wonder if you could just do this?

Jan 9, 2013 | 10:41 PM

Lexdiamondz10304

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VCDS coding is not an option due to the simple fact that the wire that bridges the stop/turn signal to both tail lamps is not there on pre-2008 vehicles. On post 2008 vehicles, a wire was added to the taillamp chassis harness that sends the stop/turn signal to the trunk lamp.