Q7 2011 tail lights retrofit
07-13-2011, 03:26 PM
#13
AudiWorld Member
I've posted a few times on all the info you need to do the tail light swap with part numbers, etc. Also... do yourself a favor and get the euro spec lights with the orange signal binkers vs. the US verson with is red.
07-13-2011, 09:00 PM
#15
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According to euro price the us and euro spec taillights have different plugs. I found out from them when I inquired on their taillight module for my new us spec taillights I already have.
07-22-2011, 05:04 PM
#17
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
Sorry for the delay, have been away for bit.
Basically there are three ways that I can see of doing the rear lights wiring.
1) if you are not handy in auto electrics then you would need to replace the comfort module and get the dealer to program it for you.
pros! wiring look factory, easy to do.
cons!price of new module and dealer charges are expensive.
2)This is what i have done, I hooked up resistors (see pic 1)6 in total in the place of the original bulbs and mounted them inside the tailgate (they do get hot so make sure they are not touching anything plastic), this is to confuse the computer into thinking that the original bulbs are still in and functioning.
pros! Looks neat, not expensive
cons! you have to be handy with the soldering iron
3) If you do not want to use resistors you can just remove the wiring harness off the original lights (see pic 2), leave the bulbs in the sockets and leave the harness connected, hide them inside the tailgate.
pros! cheap and easy
cons! looks a bit messy if you remove the rear trim.
If you use method 2 or 3 you will need to hook up the new lights
to the harness that runs in the top left hand side hinge of the tailgate (you will need a test light and a soldering iron)
You can pick up the left and right turn signals from the original light harness and connect them directly to the turn signals on the new lights( because these will have the resistors or original bulbs hooked up to them you will not get the "test" flash from the car every 30 sec but you can not use the brake and parking light from it because the original system uses single element bulbs for brake/park lights and just varies the voltage to achieve different brightness, that is why you have to pick up the signal from the wire that supplies the centre led brake light for you brakes and the wire that supplies the power to the number plate lights for your new parking lights.(all can be found in the harness top left hinge of the tailgate)
I hope this helps
Basically there are three ways that I can see of doing the rear lights wiring.
1) if you are not handy in auto electrics then you would need to replace the comfort module and get the dealer to program it for you.
pros! wiring look factory, easy to do.
cons!price of new module and dealer charges are expensive.
2)This is what i have done, I hooked up resistors (see pic 1)6 in total in the place of the original bulbs and mounted them inside the tailgate (they do get hot so make sure they are not touching anything plastic), this is to confuse the computer into thinking that the original bulbs are still in and functioning.
pros! Looks neat, not expensive
cons! you have to be handy with the soldering iron
3) If you do not want to use resistors you can just remove the wiring harness off the original lights (see pic 2), leave the bulbs in the sockets and leave the harness connected, hide them inside the tailgate.
pros! cheap and easy
cons! looks a bit messy if you remove the rear trim.
If you use method 2 or 3 you will need to hook up the new lights
to the harness that runs in the top left hand side hinge of the tailgate (you will need a test light and a soldering iron)
You can pick up the left and right turn signals from the original light harness and connect them directly to the turn signals on the new lights( because these will have the resistors or original bulbs hooked up to them you will not get the "test" flash from the car every 30 sec but you can not use the brake and parking light from it because the original system uses single element bulbs for brake/park lights and just varies the voltage to achieve different brightness, that is why you have to pick up the signal from the wire that supplies the centre led brake light for you brakes and the wire that supplies the power to the number plate lights for your new parking lights.(all can be found in the harness top left hinge of the tailgate)
I hope this helps
Last edited by xlr8it; 07-22-2011 at 05:06 PM.
07-22-2011, 05:20 PM
#18
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
The drl leds are waterproof rigid cabinet lights 50cm (20") long that I have bent into shape and mounted on the black grill under the original turn signals, the are simply hooked up in parallel with the parking lights.
07-22-2011, 08:13 PM
#19
Audiworld Junior Member
G'day,
Are these the same LED Strip Lights as you bought?
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/12v-led...0cm-white-5256
Tim
Are these the same LED Strip Lights as you bought?
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/12v-led...0cm-white-5256
Tim
07-22-2011, 08:57 PM
#20
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
No Tim
The ones I got are made of aluminium and are waterproof and can be bent into shape, these look plastic and flimsy
here is the link to the ones I bought.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2X-Cabine...#ht_4192wt_935
The ones I got are made of aluminium and are waterproof and can be bent into shape, these look plastic and flimsy
here is the link to the ones I bought.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2X-Cabine...#ht_4192wt_935
G'day,
Are these the same LED Strip Lights as you bought?
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/12v-led...0cm-white-5256
Tim
Are these the same LED Strip Lights as you bought?
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/12v-led...0cm-white-5256
Tim