Changing Headlamp Bulb?

Mysterytom · 03-19-2008, 08:01 AM

Hello all, I just registered to this forum to get some advice on changing a side headlamp bulb for an 2001 A4, 1.9 Tdi.

I bought the car not long ago, and everything else is fine, but one of the bulbs is gone on the front right side (drivers side, UK). Its the sidelight bulb, with the glass 'cap' covering it.

I looked in the manual and it said to take it to a dealer, and not to change it if its a halogen type. Well its not halogen and i'd rather change it myself, to avoid a large bill.

I opened up the bonnet and had a look inside and the manual said that the air intake would need to be removed to get to the light assembles. I removed the two screws at the front and the air intake was lose here, but when it came to lifting it out at the back, it didn't seem to want to come out.
I didn't pull the intake upwards too hard, because I didn't want to risk breakng it.

Does anyone have any tips, or experience that could help me?

Thanks in advance,
Tom

**Badger61** · 03-19-2008, 10:10 AM

The intake requires a good tug and a bit so be brave, it is easier to remove the lamp unit to gain access, I think there are some instructions for this on the forum "search is your friend"

Mysterytom · 03-19-2008, 10:22 AM

Ok thanks.

I did wonder if it could be done by removing the entire headlight unit from the front.

I will have a search for instructions on that when I get home from work.
Cheers.

**Badger61** · 03-19-2008, 10:30 AM

It's only held in by 4 torx type scews, 2 at the top you can see, the rear lower ones may require a torch to see but just need loosening a few turns as the fixing is slotted, also watch out for the small loom attached to the side of the lamp by a clip, remove this first before pulling the lamp out, it's for the front airbag sensor, I have to repair a lot that owners have pulled the wires out of making it more expensive than the bulb change would have been in the first place!

Mysterytom · 03-19-2008, 10:54 AM

Ok, thanks a lot!

I read a bit earlier on removing the headlamp, via the 4 torx screws.

What does the loom look like? And where is it attached?

Sorry for all the questions, but I don't want to make a total mess of it.
I'll need to get up early tomorrow morning and do it before work.
I have to drive tomorrow night, so really should try and get it fixed by then!

The torx screws, are they an normal screwdriver type, or an allen key?

**Badger61** · 03-19-2008, 03:17 PM

Hi they are 6 point torx size 40 I think, the small loom is quite thin two wires covered in loom tape you can't miss it once you are aware of it and just pushes in via a clip.

Mysterytom · 03-19-2008, 05:29 PM

Ok thanks.

Unfortunately I don't have any tools to deal with torx screws, so i'll just have to be braver and pull the air intake out and get at the headlight assembly from the back.

I guess i'll just follow the manual when I get there.
Surely it can't be too hard to work out.

Thanks for all your help.

03-19-2008, 08:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mysterytom Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4 Gallery: (0)	Changing Headlamp Bulb? Hello all, I just registered to this forum to get some advice on changing a side headlamp bulb for an 2001 A4, 1.9 Tdi. I bought the car not long ago, and everything else is fine, but one of the bulbs is gone on the front right side (drivers side, UK). Its the sidelight bulb, with the glass 'cap' covering it. I looked in the manual and it said to take it to a dealer, and not to change it if its a halogen type. Well its not halogen and i'd rather change it myself, to avoid a large bill. I opened up the bonnet and had a look inside and the manual said that the air intake would need to be removed to get to the light assembles. I removed the two screws at the front and the air intake was lose here, but when it came to lifting it out at the back, it didn't seem to want to come out. I didn't pull the intake upwards too hard, because I didn't want to risk breakng it. Does anyone have any tips, or experience that could help me? Thanks in advance, Tom

03-19-2008, 10:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
Badger61 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 311 Gallery: (0)	The intake requires a good tug and a bit so be brave, it is easier to remove the lamp unit to gain access, I think there are some instructions for this on the forum "search is your friend" __________________

03-19-2008, 10:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
Badger61 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 311 Gallery: (0)	It's only held in by 4 torx type scews, 2 at the top you can see, the rear lower ones may require a torch to see but just need loosening a few turns as the fixing is slotted, also watch out for the small loom attached to the side of the lamp by a clip, remove this first before pulling the lamp out, it's for the front airbag sensor, I have to repair a lot that owners have pulled the wires out of making it more expensive than the bulb change would have been in the first place! __________________

03-19-2008, 03:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
Badger61 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 311 Gallery: (0)	Hi they are 6 point torx size 40 I think, the small loom is quite thin two wires covered in loom tape you can't miss it once you are aware of it and just pushes in via a clip. __________________

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03-19-2008, 10:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
Mysterytom Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4 Gallery: (0)	Ok thanks. I did wonder if it could be done by removing the entire headlight unit from the front. I will have a search for instructions on that when I get home from work. Cheers.

03-19-2008, 10:54 AM	#5 (permalink)
Mysterytom Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4 Gallery: (0)	Ok, thanks a lot! I read a bit earlier on removing the headlamp, via the 4 torx screws. What does the loom look like? And where is it attached? Sorry for all the questions, but I don't want to make a total mess of it. I'll need to get up early tomorrow morning and do it before work. I have to drive tomorrow night, so really should try and get it fixed by then! The torx screws, are they an normal screwdriver type, or an allen key?

03-19-2008, 05:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
Mysterytom Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4 Gallery: (0)	Ok thanks. Unfortunately I don't have any tools to deal with torx screws, so i'll just have to be braver and pull the air intake out and get at the headlight assembly from the back. I guess i'll just follow the manual when I get there. Surely it can't be too hard to work out. Thanks for all your help.

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