RESOLVED: A6 Rear light cluster ( 07)

[JimC64]

Hi all, sorry, but I need to revive an old topic... Does anyone have any problems with condensation or their rear light clusters???

My A6 is 2 years old now and I'm on my 3 rd replacement set ( all under warranty from Audi )...the set on now, replaced in January is also showing very noticeable signs of condensation......NOT GOOD! My car is kept clean n loved and generally looks great most of the time so this is really annoying the hell outa me... Lookin for feedback guys....I'm sure this is a known issue

UPDATE 31/03/09 - Called into the dealer today re this and other issues. This is the 3rd replacement set as previously stated changed late January and they are now full of condensation. according to the tech, this is "normal" and once lights are activated the heat will disperse the moisture....RUBBISH !! told him I've had Jags, Fords, Vauxhalls, VW's and Saabs none of which showed these issues and it is NOT normal and I want them replaced under warranty AGAIN! I've spoken with AUDI direct on this and it WILL be replaced one way or another. The only way it seems to stop this is to only drive the car on dry days and never under any circumstances wash it

For your info....I happen to know that this dealer hass replaced 15 sets of A6 rear lights this year alone??? Stock at Audi to date for these lights sit at 250+.....Can you imagine how many sets that is? Can you imagine the costs related to these parts alone??? Not normal in any way shape or fashion IMO I want this thread to be made sticky, or better still take a poll to try and get an idea of how many may have been replaced to date or how many people have these issues but have not yet complained or asked the question only to be told NO by Audi! In the event that these are not replaced my intention, if necessary is to raise the matter with the BBC's Watchdog programme.

Comments please? Jim

Moderator edit - Resolved.

Solution is in post #114 click here

[HBA4345]

I've got this on my '55 A6 saloon. Didn't really notice it till after it was delivered and I was giving it a good wash.

Didn't have time to get into a dealer to enquire about it but good to know that they are most likely going to be aware of the problem and wil replace under warranty. Will have to wait till I am back in the UK though.

It's most likely a design issue with the sealed unit letting moisture in.

[Flying Scot]

I too have had mine replaced on my Avant, though only once a couple of years ago and they have been fine since. I did have a good laugh when they told me it was due to using a pressure washer to clean the car. It’s never been near a pressure wash!

[JimC64]

HBA - you're right I think it is a poor design. I looked at it with the parts guy. When washing the car you can see a fine trickle of water running at the bottom of the lights, almost as if its between the light itself and the bodywork.....it isn't though - its actually in the light.
Having looked at a new one out of the box you can see how poor the finish is. Even worse still the " seal" between the light and the bulb housing is soo cheap n nasty it'd struggle to seal against anything, let alone water!!

Flying Scot - rofl, they told me that too
Funny thing is.....what do you think the valeters at Audi dealership clean the cars with??? You guessed it, a pressure washer.

See images below taken of rear lamps clearly showing condensation that Audi consider to be " normal " and will dissipate once the lights are turned on

[HBA4345]

What makes me smirk is that the condensation I noticed on mine was on the reverse light.

Looks like I'll have to go everywhere backwards until it's gone.....

[JimC64]

HBA - Lol....mine too come to think of it.

UPDATE - Spoke with Audi today re the rear light problem. They don't seem to ever have had this problem with the newer style LED lights, only the older style ones as I have. The consensus seems to be that they will replace them with the new LED lights as they seem to have a better finish / quality and this should resolve the problem......This will be my 4th set
But if it works, I've won a watch and all under warranty, so fair play to Audi in my book

Jim

[psyho]

Hi all, sorry, but I need to revive an old topic...

Does anyone have any problems with condensation or their rear light clusters???

My A6 is 2 years old now and I'm on my 3 rd replacement set ( all under warranty from Audi )...the set on now, replaced in January is also showing very noticeable signs of condensation......NOT GOOD!
My car is kept clean n loved and generally looks great most of the time so this is really annoying the hell outa me...
Lookin for feedback guys....I'm sure this is a known issue

UPDATE 31/03/09 - Called into the dealer today re this and other issues. This is the 3rd replacement set as previously stated changed late January and they are now full of condensation. according to the tech, this is "normal" and once lights are activated the heat will disperse the moisture....BULLS**T !!
told him I've had Jags, Fords, Vauxhalls, VW's and Saabs none of which showed these issues and it is NOT normal and I want them replaced under warranty AGAIN!
I've spoken with AUDI direct on this and it WILL be replaced one way or another. The only way it seems to stop this is to only drive the car on dry days and never under any circumstances wash it
For your info....I happen to know that this dealer hass replaced 15 sets of A6 rear lights this year alone???
Stock at Audi to date for these lights sit at 250+.....Can you imagine how many sets that is? Can you imagine the costs related to these parts alone??? Not normal in any way shape or fashion IMO
I want this thread to be made sticky, or better still take a poll to try and get an idea of how many may have been replaced to date or how many people have these issues but have not yet complained or asked the question only to be told NO by Audi!
In the event that these are not replaced my intention, if necessary is to raise the matter with the BBC's Watchdog programme.
Comments please?


Jim

Hi, my A6 is 2.5 year and it has the same problem, my friend has the same car and as well the same problem. I'm going tomorrow to my Audi dealer to replace them under warranty. it isn't big deal but it should happening in my opinion.

[psyho]

any one has got answer ?? Is it LED lights will fit to 2006 salon Audi A6 ? Dealer said me that now you hear stated that yes. (???)
Thanks

[nobbyuk]

If you mean the '09 LED tail lights, the answer is no, unless you also fit an '09 boot lid. It may also require new rear panels as the boot lid appears to be a different shape.

There where two versions of rear cluster for the 05-09 car. In the UK, if you had halogen headlights, then you had normal bulb tail lights. However, if you had Xenon headlights, then you had "highline" tail lights, which had LED brake lights. All other bulbs are the same, but there is an LED strip across the top of the unit for the brake lights.
This can be retro fitted to the car and is a straight swap for the existing rear cluster. Simply requires a vagcode to enable the LED brake lights.

Hope that helsp
Dave

[psyho]

Thnak you very much, thIs is now clear for me.
Kind Regards