A6 / S6 (C5 Platform) Discussion Discussion forum for the C5 Audi A6 and S6 produced from 1998-2004

$500 for a license plate light fix a6 4.2

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 10, 2012 | 06:20 AM
  #1  
waq1's Avatar
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Newcomer
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Default $500 for a license plate light fix a6 4.2

I'm having an issue with the right side license plate light on my 01 a6 4.2..was just told by mechanic that in order to fix it I need to get the whole rear trim since the wires are embeded. has anyone els dealt with this issue before???
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2012 | 07:21 AM
  #2  
Boston Driver's Avatar
AudiWorld Expert
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 27,196
Likes: 2
From: Lexington, MA
Default

Wow...$500? You can buy a NEW part for about $200 and install it yourself for free. Part number is 4B0-945-695-B-01C for 1998-2001 A6 sedan (V6 or V8). Genuine Audi Parts has it for $212 plus shipping.

Then just go to the Tech articles here for how to remove the inner lining panel to get at the fasteners that hold the surround in place: https://www.audiworld.com/tech/ext60.shtml

Once that panel is off, you can just look inside the holes of the trunk lid to find the nuts. I think there are 4 along the top, and maybe 3 along the bottom?

Of course, you could just remove that entire assembly and see if you can get at the wiring for the license plate lamps. I've never monkeyed with those (only the rear folgs), but $500? No.
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2012 | 08:39 AM
  #3  
spoon2000's Avatar
AudiWorld Member
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 550
Likes: 1
From: Metro DC
Default

I have had that trim off and don't recall imbedded wires. I would certainly take the trim off and see for yourself before paying $500. If you have access to the wiring, you can easily diagnose it yourself with a $15 multitester from Harbor Freight. If necessary, you can splice in a new wire yourself using a couple of wire nuts, etc.
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2012 | 10:48 AM
  #4  
GTA_Driver's Avatar
AudiWorld Super User
Tech Guru
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,277
Likes: 2
From: Toronto
Default

Might be as simple a fix as cleaning the contacts and sealing any gaps where water may seep through.

Take it apart yourself, especially since this is so accessible and easy to do yourself.
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2012 | 05:16 PM
  #5  
bigdadi's Avatar
AudiWorld Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA USA
Default

The dealer quoted me $700 to fix one of the 2 horns (Hi/Lo).
It basically only involves bumper off & then plug & play for new part replacement.
I think my Hi horn is not working, maybe loose wire, connector.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2012 | 05:08 AM
  #6  
waq1's Avatar
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Newcomer
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Default

Well here's the detail of it according to my mechanic he can't access the wiring for right License plate light which first goes through the left one and only solution is to replace the whole trim on the trunk lid. I talked to service and parts guys from dealership and their answer was pretty ambigous though they were more than ready to charge me $300 in parts and $200 in labor. I've been pulled over twice in last month because of that damn R license plate light so pretty desperate here. There's one DIY for A4 is available but its no good for A6 4.2. If anyone has any experience in how to access these lights/related wiring please let me know.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2012 | 05:33 AM
  #7  
waq1's Avatar
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Newcomer
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Default

One more Question if I just wanna change the housing for right light How do I go about it?
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2012 | 07:33 AM
  #8  
Boston Driver's Avatar
AudiWorld Expert
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 27,196
Likes: 2
From: Lexington, MA
Default

Just one little screw holds it in. Here is a picture of it below. Oh, and it is part of the rear surround, so if you follow the steps previously posted to remove the housing, you can probably get at whatever wiring you need to inspect.

Reply
AudiWorld Stories

Bringing Audi to Life for Audi Fans

story-0

New Audi A6 Allroad Is The Market's Coolest Wagon: 9 Things to Know

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Strangest Audi Designs That Actually Made Production

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2027 Audi Q7 and SQ7: Audi Upgraded EVERYTHING!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Audi Unveils Absurdly Cool New Supercar: 10 Things You Need to Know!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

The Highs & Lows of Every Audi C-Class Generation

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Top 10 Most Expensive Audis Ever Sold on Bring-A-Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-6

10 Audi Features & Options We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Audi Recreates Crazy-Looking Speed Record Breaker From 1935

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Coachbuilder Recreates the 1995 Audi TTS Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Every Audi V10 Car Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 11, 2012 | 07:49 AM
  #9  
Boston Driver's Avatar
AudiWorld Expert
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 27,196
Likes: 2
From: Lexington, MA
Default

and this post by 5speed6 (for his euro surround swap) shows that backside of the surround. It is sealed as you can see in the pic about halfway down the post. The license plate lamps are in those two bumps just on the outside of the inner bolts along the top. I cannot see any access to the wiring.

https://www.audiworld.com/tech/ext55.shtml


So again, if it IS a wiring issue, buying the part NEW and doing the swap yourself is way cheaper.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2012 | 08:03 AM
  #10  
waq1's Avatar
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Newcomer
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Boston Driver
Just one little screw holds it in. Here is a picture of it below. Oh, and it is part of the rear surround, so if you follow the steps previously posted to remove the housing, you can probably get at whatever wiring you need to inspect.

Thats the problem I'm having. I've taken off the inner lining panel and remove the trunk latch but still can't access the wiring. even in order to replace the housing i gotta have access to wiring and conecters inside..it seems the only route is to remove the whole trim from the trunk and I'm hesitant about that.
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:59 AM.

story-0
New Audi A6 Allroad Is The Market's Coolest Wagon: 9 Things to Know

Slideshow: Audi's latest A6 Allroad gets RS-style fenders, real off-road hardware, and enough personality to stand out in a market obsessed with crossovers.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-16 17:31:52


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Strangest Audi Designs That Actually Made Production

Slideshow: 10 strangest Audi designs that actually made production

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-10 16:32:29


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Audi Q7 and SQ7: Audi Upgraded EVERYTHING!

Slideshow: Everything you need to know about the 2027 Audi Q7 and SQ7

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-09 06:02:56


VIEW MORE
story-3
Audi Unveils Absurdly Cool New Supercar: 10 Things You Need to Know!

Slideshow: Limited to just 499 units, the 987-horsepower halo car signals a new chapter for Audi performance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-04 17:37:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
The Highs & Lows of Every Audi C-Class Generation

Slideshow: The highs and lows of every Audi C-Class generation.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:05:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Most Expensive Audis Ever Sold on Bring-A-Trailer

People were more than happy to shell out big bucks for these cars.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 15:32:23


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Audi Features & Options We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: 10 Audi features and options we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 19:33:47


VIEW MORE
story-7
Audi Recreates Crazy-Looking Speed Record Breaker From 1935

Slideshow: Audi has recreated one of the wildest machines of the pre-war speed-record era, reviving a streamlined V16 racer that originally exceeded 200 mph in 1935.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:49:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
Coachbuilder Recreates the 1995 Audi TTS Concept

Slideshow: A Dutch coachbuilder has reimagined the original Audi TT by finishing what the 1995 concept only hinted at.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-05 15:17:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Every Audi V10 Car Ranked!

Slideshow: Ranking every Audi V10 road car

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:11:56


VIEW MORE