Chad T

Hey Guys & Gals,

Car is running pretty well and I got bored this weekend so I decided to treat her to some new switch illumination.

I found a few DIYs on this that were very helpful but none specific to the 200 so I decided to photograph everything and do a breif how to.

This was way easier than I thought it would be from reading how to do it. Hopefully these pics will make it seem as easy as it is.

I'll start with the seat heater lights:

First thing to do is remove the switch. Just gently pry on the top and bottom until it comes out. You have to reach back in there a bit to avoid just pulling the outer switch cover off.

Once it's loose you can pull it out and seperate the switch assembly from the harness connector with a screwdriver.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21509/CIMG0038.jpg">

Next find a nice clean spot to dis-assemble the switch and do some soldering. I used the kitchen table.

Getting the switch apart is one of the more difficult operations. You need to pry it with a knife or something thin. It's not hard to get apart it's just hard to get anything in there.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21509/CIMG0027.jpg">

Be careful not to lose these clips as they tend to fall out.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21509/CIMG0032.jpg">

This is what the inside of the switch looks like when you get the cover off.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21509/CIMG0006.jpg">

Now you just have to seperate the circuit board from the switch. It's held together with some melted plastic pins.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21509/CIMG0007.jpg">

I tried cutting them but this was very awkward and not very effective. A small screwdriver under the pins workes perfect. Just a little twist pops them loose easily.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21509/CIMG0025.jpg">

Just lift the switch assembly off the board to expose the bulb.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21509/CIMG0008.jpg">

It's best to leave the roller inside the red plastic piece and set it aside like this.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21509/CIMG0030.jpg">

I took the first one apart and then remembered hearing about this little ball that always gets lost. Of course when I looked it was gone but luckily it landed in my lap.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21509/CIMG0009.jpg">

Back in it's proper place.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21509/CIMG0011.jpg">

OK time to get that bulb out. This requires a 30 watt soldering iron and a solder sucker. You could also use a wick but I like the sucker much better. Soldering iron was $4.95 with a case, solder and a stand and the sucker was $1.65 from an on line electronics place so don't be afraid to go out and get these.

All you have to do is carefully heat the solder until it's liquid and then hit it with the sucker. The sucker will pull the solder right out.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21509/CIMG0012.jpg">

Here the bulb is free and you can see the solder that came out of the sucker.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21509/CIMG0017.jpg">

Radio shack 12v 60mA bulb is pretty much an exact match. I had gotten this info from some of the existing write-ups. $1.49 for 2. I splurged and got 4 which was all they had.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21509/CIMG0019.jpg">

I left the leads on the bulb long until I got it soldered. Made it easy to hold the switch at a good angle for soldering. Note the plastic sleeve re-installed on one leg of the bulb.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21509/CIMG0020.jpg">

To solder the bulb I just heated what was there and then added a bit.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21509/CIMG0022.jpg">

Now just cut the excess off of the bulb leads, set the switch back on the board and slide it back in to the housing. The housing will be holding the switch together since the red melt pins are gone. Works fine as it's a nice tight fit.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21509/CIMG0026.jpg">

Time to re-install the switch. Previous writed ups said to either remove the radio or an adjacent switch to hold the plug which is now pretty much dangling behind the dash.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21509/CIMG0035.jpg">

I just grabbed it with some needle nosed pliers and then wedged it with a screwdriver to hold it in place so the switch could be pushed on to the plug. This worked out very well.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21509/CIMG0037.jpg">

That's pretty much all there is to it. Did both switches in about 45 minutes or so. Very easy...but not as easy as the lights in the other switches.


I actually removed the anti-lock switch and took it in the house and dis-assembled it before I realized you can simply pull the cover off and change the bulb. It has a different bulb from the heater switches. The bulb simply pulls out.
This has to be the simplest Audi interior bulb change there is.

1. Pry off switch cover.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21509/CIMG0039.jpg">

2.Pull out bulb with pliers
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21509/CIMG0040.jpg">

3.Buy 12v 1.2w small bulbs at local FLAPS.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21509/CIMG0042.jpg">

4. Insert new bulbs and push switch cover back on.


Now enjoy full dash switch illumination!!
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21509/CIMG0047.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21509/CIMG0046.jpg">

P.S. Should my Anti-lock switch be lit all the time?

sieben

beautiful information and detail. will come in handy when the V8 needs the same :thumbup:

20VT90q

when activated.

Chad T

It stays on all the time. If I push the button it goes out for a second and comes back on. Is that normal?

I might have to read the owners manual.

Adam Mowafy

I believe the light that goes on and off for anti lock is in the cluster. At least on the 5k....

Chad T

Looks like it's normal. Just not used to having it lit up.

20VT90q

That's why they burn out so often;-(

20VT90q

same as all the other cars ;-) (100/V8/urs4/90/etc.)

jurq

Well done Chad! Looks great. Will def keep this post for future ref...

audi-bahston

One of my switches has tension when you roll the wheel and the other doesn't. Could this be missing the ball?

Very nice write up!!

TIA