How to: Change interior LEDS

[Akash]

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...

[Danny-boy]

Awesome, well done mate.

Any chance of bulb types / sizes for each?

[Akash]

i did not take note :( I got them all from Trups (EM-Tuning) where I've always got them for myself/friends and on the site, it does show pictures if they help? The first picture for instance is the rear and front map bulbs (the twisty ones)
The PCB with wire is the ones that slide into the boot and glovebox and also puddle. The larger festoon style is the dome and sunvisor is in the pictures above. Only ones I can't see are the footwell ones ...
What I can do is take a picture of the ones I've pulled out and explain whats what if that helps?

[Akash]

ok so Bulb type 1:
7 in total:
1. Boot left
2. Boot right
3. Glovebox
4. Rear Left
5. Rear Right
6. Front left
7. Front right

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170318_140207%201280x768_zpsagd9o8tr.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170318_140207%201280x768_zpsagd9o8tr.jpg.html)



Bulb type 2:
4 in total
1. Front passenger footwell
2. Front driver footwell
3. Rear passenger footwell (under passenger seat)
4. Rear driver footwell (under driver seat)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170318_140158%201280x768_zpshgrn6xub.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170318_140158%201280x768_zpshgrn6xub.jpg.html)


Bulb Type 3:
3 in total but note that the top and bottom are the same and the middle is slightly thinner

1. Left Sunvisor
2. Front Dome
3. Right Sunvisor

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f338/aj8429/Lights/20170318_140202%201280x768_zpsvyvcxdrx.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/aj8429/media/Lights/20170318_140202%201280x768_zpsvyvcxdrx.jpg.html)


Hope this helps

[AK88]

Akash, great write up and plenty of detail for a novice like me to attempt this!

I've had a look on EM-Tuning, are you going to do the front and rear puddle and red warning lights aswell?

[Danny-boy]

Awesome, thanks Akash.

Any idea on the length of the festoon bulbs?

Also, were your footwell lights led already? Mine appear to be

Cheers

[Akash]

I'm going into the shed shortly so I'll measure them up for you As for footwell, yes they were. So the ones in the previous picture are all the original bulbs including the 4 footwell ones.

The new ones have 4 leds per board and its a HUGE difference.

Where before it was a really poor glow, now it lights up the entire floor. If you look at the first lot of pictures, scroll to the bottom of the first post to picture 12 and 14. 14 is all original bulbs and very "yellow". You can also see the drivers footwell in this one with a slight glow.

Picture 12 then shows the the "after" showing not only the top dome/map lights in white led but in this case, the footwell with a much more brighter glow. I thought it might look a little clinical initially but with a dark floor/seats/black edition trims, black top etc etc, it looks far from clinical.

[Akash]

Akash, great write up and plenty of detail for a novice like me to attempt this!

I've had a look on EM-Tuning, are you going to do the front and rear puddle and red warning lights aswell? Sorry missed your reply! It really is easy- I've done it a few times in various cars but it's fairly easy to do. I will eventually do the puddle lights but the issue is the short wire. On the A6, I did it once and on removal, the short cable went flying back inside. I had to remove the door card part way to get it back...I suspect this will be the same.

I don't have rear puddle's and the red warning lights on mine are just reflectors. From memory, it's only the lighting pack that gives you the warning ones

[Akash]

As promised:

Torx 15 Screw (This is for the front panel as mentioned above)
37mm Festoon LED for the sunvisor and middle dome area
194 Wedge LED for the rest such as boot, glovebox, map etc

[buddyboy]

looks good, i got a kit on ebay, but it didnt come with bulbs for the footwells front or rear.

On a side note, do you have the s7 mirror caps on your wing mirrors?

[AK88]

I swapped mine over today all but the footwell lights for the rear passengers as its gonna take some time and puddle lights all round and the rear red warning lights as the slack on the wire is non existent may have to try and tie a string onto the connectors so I don't lose them behind the door card?

[Akash]

Yup can do but I finished my door card puddle lights soon after I posted the initial posting and it was actually much less of an issue than the A6 C6 which resulted in the door card needing to be pulled away to get to the cable.
The A7 I tugged at the cable a little - not too much force but apply a little... and I got a whole load of extra cabling come out - enough to be able to comfortably plug the unit back in once removed
It's possible somewhere along the way Audi may have stuck the cable down? Or maybe its routed through a channel and by tugging on it, it might be come out a little but either way it was a few min job to remove, tug, add the new unit and plug back in