Akash
17-03-2017, 10:16 PM
Hi all, I'm sure this has been discusse a few times before but I thought I'd stick this in a how to all the same. Having driven a 2016 A7 loaner which came with LED lights in the boot, I decided to change mine...and the rest too.
This included:
2x Sunvisor
4x Footwell
2x Boot
1x Dome
2x Map lights
2x Rear lights
1x Glove box.
Sunvisor: This is simply enough, pull the visor down and push it back out of the way. Now there is a slight quirk that I did not realise and that is when you push it back, even if the mirror slider is open, the light will switch off. When you bring it forward, it turns on so just bear this in mind when testing once the bulb is in.
So with a flat tool, insert on the end side and pry out, remove metal shield if it exists and pull bulb out. One side of the bulb has a +- and some writing, I just assumed this was + and so the replacement bulb + went that way too.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170314_164037%201280x768_zpsjg5ak6jx.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170314_164037%201280x768_zpsjg5ak6jx.jpg.html)
Boot:
Pretty much the same as the sunvisor. There is a plastic casing on both of them which just needs to be pulled out/off.
In my case, these were slide in PCB with LEDs on it. I had to lift up the pins that held the original bulb so the board could slide in but wasn't much issue. Once the board is in, push the plug into where the original bulb was.
You can see the difference from the left one to the right standard bulb
Proof is at night where the whole boot is lit now.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170314_162459%201280x768_zpsclwfksa8.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170314_162459%201280x768_zpsclwfksa8.jpg.html)
Glovebox: This is identical to the boot one. Just a little awkward to get the unit out as it's a bit small in there but took less than 20 seconds
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170314_170536%201280x768_zpskzyw6is9.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170314_170536%201280x768_zpskzyw6is9.jpg.html)
Big one is the front lights. Unlike the A6 c6 model where you pretty much grabbed the front and yanked down, this takes a bit of prying. Here is a picture of the unit once the bulbs were in but it shows a little gap around the front. This is where I started with my trusted plastic trim tool. Not much pressure needed
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170314_170058%201280x768_zpsbmet3k5q.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170314_170058%201280x768_zpsbmet3k5q.jpg.html)
Just beware that you are unclipping the trim from the main unit and not removing the unit at this stage. Once removed, it should look like this:
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170314_165107%201280x768_zpsyyx9zctp.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170314_165107%201280x768_zpsyyx9zctp.jpg.html)
At this point, you can replace the festoon dome bulb.
You can see how the trim came off as per below. Ignore the hole in front - that part should not have come off but I pushed it out. If you do, it just clips back on
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170314_165058%201280x768_zpsbahtuwn3.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170314_165058%201280x768_zpsbahtuwn3.jpg.html)
Towards the back, there is a torx screw to remove.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170314_165911%201280x768_zpspnvndrx2.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170314_165911%201280x768_zpspnvndrx2.jpg.html)
Once removed, the unit can be pulled down. You can leave it hanging - no need to remove any wiring
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170314_165619%201280x768_zpsqidsgm7p.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170314_165619%201280x768_zpsqidsgm7p.jpg.html)
You can see the map lights on a black twisty connector. Just unscrew/twist it and pull out. Remove the wedge style bulb and replace before inserting/twisting it back in
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170314_165713%201280x768_zpsy6bkhotk.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170314_165713%201280x768_zpsy6bkhotk.jpg.html)
Do this on the other side, push panel back in, put screw back in, clip trim back in and job done
Moving to the back, this took a bit of prying. You can see where the clips are below...just go there with your tool and pry out carefully. Like the front, these are also twist style holders. Same bulbs as the front so remove bulb, push the new ones in and screw back in before pushing the unit back in
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170314_163723%201280x768_zpsa20sitzp.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170314_163723%201280x768_zpsa20sitzp.jpg.html)
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170314_174013%201280x768_zpsulfpntju.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170314_174013%201280x768_zpsulfpntju.jpg.html)
Footwells were a little more time consuming mainly because of lack of space. The drivers is easiest so start there first. It's above your left foot side and the easiest way to tell is ... well just look at it. You can see the top of the unit because of the panel it is fixed to. Just needs prying out but all 4 were much more tighter fit than the sunvisor or boot ones for instance. Once out, you need to remove the plastic covering and lift up the PCB. Unlike the others, this is simply a PCB with leds already on it and it sits freely on the casing with just two prongs holding the board in.
Replace with your new one, put plastic casing back on, and clip back in once cable is fixed back. You can see the difference:
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170314_173958%201280x768_zpsdn1r737u.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170314_173958%201280x768_zpsdn1r737u.jpg.html)
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170314_173937%201280x768_zpsrqo7aj3r.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170314_173937%201280x768_zpsrqo7aj3r.jpg.html)
How it USED to look:
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Wash/20170313_175400%201280x768_zpsp44gylef.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Wash/20170313_175400%201280x768_zpsp44gylef.jpg.html)
I ended up breaking the one for the rear passenger side trying to get it out of the seat. Now replaced but the issue is the plastic cover gets wedged and then the whole unit struggles to come out.
Tip for rear footwells, as they're under the front seats...lift them up as high as they go and move them forward as far as they go. Just easier to get to.
Final ones were puddle. Annoyingly like the A6, I can't get these out because there is no slack on the wiring. The last time I did this, the wire shot back in and for months I left it. I will do it but it will involve removing the door panel part way to give the cable more slack. These are the same style as the boot lights.
Any questions do ask.
I'm very happy with them - Back in the day, I found LED replacements overly bright and uncomfortable - now these have a function...
This included:
2x Sunvisor
4x Footwell
2x Boot
1x Dome
2x Map lights
2x Rear lights
1x Glove box.
Sunvisor: This is simply enough, pull the visor down and push it back out of the way. Now there is a slight quirk that I did not realise and that is when you push it back, even if the mirror slider is open, the light will switch off. When you bring it forward, it turns on so just bear this in mind when testing once the bulb is in.
So with a flat tool, insert on the end side and pry out, remove metal shield if it exists and pull bulb out. One side of the bulb has a +- and some writing, I just assumed this was + and so the replacement bulb + went that way too.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170314_164037%201280x768_zpsjg5ak6jx.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170314_164037%201280x768_zpsjg5ak6jx.jpg.html)
Boot:
Pretty much the same as the sunvisor. There is a plastic casing on both of them which just needs to be pulled out/off.
In my case, these were slide in PCB with LEDs on it. I had to lift up the pins that held the original bulb so the board could slide in but wasn't much issue. Once the board is in, push the plug into where the original bulb was.
You can see the difference from the left one to the right standard bulb
Proof is at night where the whole boot is lit now.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170314_162459%201280x768_zpsclwfksa8.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170314_162459%201280x768_zpsclwfksa8.jpg.html)
Glovebox: This is identical to the boot one. Just a little awkward to get the unit out as it's a bit small in there but took less than 20 seconds
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170314_170536%201280x768_zpskzyw6is9.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170314_170536%201280x768_zpskzyw6is9.jpg.html)
Big one is the front lights. Unlike the A6 c6 model where you pretty much grabbed the front and yanked down, this takes a bit of prying. Here is a picture of the unit once the bulbs were in but it shows a little gap around the front. This is where I started with my trusted plastic trim tool. Not much pressure needed
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170314_170058%201280x768_zpsbmet3k5q.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170314_170058%201280x768_zpsbmet3k5q.jpg.html)
Just beware that you are unclipping the trim from the main unit and not removing the unit at this stage. Once removed, it should look like this:
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170314_165107%201280x768_zpsyyx9zctp.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170314_165107%201280x768_zpsyyx9zctp.jpg.html)
At this point, you can replace the festoon dome bulb.
You can see how the trim came off as per below. Ignore the hole in front - that part should not have come off but I pushed it out. If you do, it just clips back on
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170314_165058%201280x768_zpsbahtuwn3.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170314_165058%201280x768_zpsbahtuwn3.jpg.html)
Towards the back, there is a torx screw to remove.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170314_165911%201280x768_zpspnvndrx2.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170314_165911%201280x768_zpspnvndrx2.jpg.html)
Once removed, the unit can be pulled down. You can leave it hanging - no need to remove any wiring
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170314_165619%201280x768_zpsqidsgm7p.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170314_165619%201280x768_zpsqidsgm7p.jpg.html)
You can see the map lights on a black twisty connector. Just unscrew/twist it and pull out. Remove the wedge style bulb and replace before inserting/twisting it back in
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170314_165713%201280x768_zpsy6bkhotk.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170314_165713%201280x768_zpsy6bkhotk.jpg.html)
Do this on the other side, push panel back in, put screw back in, clip trim back in and job done
Moving to the back, this took a bit of prying. You can see where the clips are below...just go there with your tool and pry out carefully. Like the front, these are also twist style holders. Same bulbs as the front so remove bulb, push the new ones in and screw back in before pushing the unit back in
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170314_163723%201280x768_zpsa20sitzp.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170314_163723%201280x768_zpsa20sitzp.jpg.html)
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170314_174013%201280x768_zpsulfpntju.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170314_174013%201280x768_zpsulfpntju.jpg.html)
Footwells were a little more time consuming mainly because of lack of space. The drivers is easiest so start there first. It's above your left foot side and the easiest way to tell is ... well just look at it. You can see the top of the unit because of the panel it is fixed to. Just needs prying out but all 4 were much more tighter fit than the sunvisor or boot ones for instance. Once out, you need to remove the plastic covering and lift up the PCB. Unlike the others, this is simply a PCB with leds already on it and it sits freely on the casing with just two prongs holding the board in.
Replace with your new one, put plastic casing back on, and clip back in once cable is fixed back. You can see the difference:
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170314_173958%201280x768_zpsdn1r737u.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170314_173958%201280x768_zpsdn1r737u.jpg.html)
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170314_173937%201280x768_zpsrqo7aj3r.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170314_173937%201280x768_zpsrqo7aj3r.jpg.html)
How it USED to look:
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Wash/20170313_175400%201280x768_zpsp44gylef.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Wash/20170313_175400%201280x768_zpsp44gylef.jpg.html)
I ended up breaking the one for the rear passenger side trying to get it out of the seat. Now replaced but the issue is the plastic cover gets wedged and then the whole unit struggles to come out.
Tip for rear footwells, as they're under the front seats...lift them up as high as they go and move them forward as far as they go. Just easier to get to.
Final ones were puddle. Annoyingly like the A6, I can't get these out because there is no slack on the wiring. The last time I did this, the wire shot back in and for months I left it. I will do it but it will involve removing the door panel part way to give the cable more slack. These are the same style as the boot lights.
Any questions do ask.
I'm very happy with them - Back in the day, I found LED replacements overly bright and uncomfortable - now these have a function...