LED Bulbs in non-LED front running Lights

[John140]

Can anyone tell me what type of bulbs are in the normal SE non-LED daytime running lights please, and whether there are anu issues in just swapping them for 'resistored' LED equivalents ?

[DrewG]

I would also love to know if this is possible. Not had time to check how easy it would be to swap or even how many bulbs would need to be replaced. I replaced my sidelights in my xtrail and pathfinder and the difference was amazing.

Cheers

Drew

[John140]

I removed the headlamp unit yesterday, and I couldn't even see how to change the bulb that is in there, someone on the forum must surely know ??

[black999]

I believe you have to actually take the headlamp unit apart to even get to the existing bulbs. I wanted to change mine so I asked my dealer about it. They said they had never had to replace any bulbs in cars they had sold and thus hadn't had any experience of opening the units.
I have to agree , a whiter replacement would be great :)

[John140]

I amazed no-one has done this yet on the forum ??

[ScottyUK]

I think many people on here have S-lines or S4's. When you then discount those who don't and who aren't willing to stick their headlights in their oven it narrows it down pretty quickly.

I know a man who's been doing this on Mrk I TT headlights for years so I'm sure he'd be able to .... but it does mean you've no headlights whilst he'd got them of course.

[theblacksurge]

Ok then, here's a bit of a How To........



http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b290/trevman99/02-rear.jpg

A - Dipped Beam H7 55w
B - Main Beam H7 55W
C - Turn Signal PY24W
D - DRL P13W
E - DRL P13W
F - Beam Range Contol Motor


http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b290/trevman99/03-CuttingAssembly1.jpg

Audi specify using a carpet cutter to remove the blanking panels. On reassembly a repair kit is avaivable from Audi which consists of new blank plates and adhesive.
First the plate covering the Range Control Motor is cut away.


http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b290/trevman99/05-Drilling.jpg

A screwdriver is then inserted in past the range motor to hold the wiring out of the way whilst cutting throught the panel for the DRL (using a hole saw in this case)


http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b290/trevman99/06-Drilling2.jpg

With the DRL panel removed you can see how close the wiring is the area being cut.


http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b290/trevman99/07a-RemoveDRL.jpg

To remove the first DRL twist it 90degrees and pull out, then do this for the second DRL bulb, the same applies for the turn signal bulb

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b290/trevman99/07b-RemovedIndicator.jpg

The bulbs then disconnect from the wiring connector.

If anybody wants pictures of the further headlamp unit disassembly let me know and I'll post them.


The DRL bulbs are P13W, there is an LED version available with canbus cicuitry, but is currently used only as an aftermarket part on BMWs, I don't whether they would work on Audi's.

[ScottyUK]

Fear the swarf in the headlight !!

[theblacksurge]

Fear the swarf in the headlight !!

Good point. I wasn't too bothered as I was removing the lense anyway, but if you're just changing the bulbs, probably best to stick with the Stanley.

[DrewG]

Thanks Blacksurge, very good how to do.

Oh my god!!! I thought things were supposed to get slightly easier? So really if your DRL's go out then practically your meant to just switch them off via the menu rather than replace a bulb as can imagine the cost from Audi for a bulb replaceemnt, sounds like madness to me and wish there were more 3.2 quattro S-lines out there :-(

[ScottyUK]

Good point. I wasn't too bothered as I was removing the lense anyway, but if you're just changing the bulbs, probably best to stick with the Stanley.

I also meant to say - Top write up ;)

p.s. I'm relieved I don't have to do that !!

[SunnyBard]

So really if your DRL's go out then practically your meant to just switch them off via the menu rather than replace a bulb

Making them that difficult to replace really does seem mad ...

[black999]

Making them that difficult to replace really does seem mad ...

Have to agree , seems crazy to me that the owner cannot even easily replace a bulb if it fails :(

[theblacksurge]

The justification behind it is that these bulbs are meant to be "ultra reliable".
But there will always be failures, especially as vehicles age, and as in the case of my car they tend to go extremely yellow over time.

Personally I just think it is Audi's way of making you use the dealer for as much as possible. They'll be bolting the bonnet down next.

[Zafi]

I did not realise the SE DRLs were filament bulbs!

Going to turn mine off tomorrow to save the bulbs........might be better to fit Skoda LED fogs....

[John140]

Fantastic post, how much is the repair kit from Audi ?

[SunnyBard]

seems crazy to me that the owner cannot even easily replace a bulb if it fails

When driving on the continent (or is it just France?) aren't you required to carry a full set of spare bulbs, should that include a stanley knife and a hole saw too?

[sj96]

I have successfully changed my drl bulbs to LED's, the bulbs needed are P13w LED and can be picked up on eBay. Here is a link to a guide on how to do it

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?129584-quot-How-to-quot-replace-A4-B8-Halogen-DRL-bulbs-with-P13w-LED-s

[Gunnark100]

Hi,

Has anyone change the turnsignal bulb aswell to look the same as DRL(no need mention "LAW" :)), if yes please picture.

[Gunnark100]

Good point. I wasn't too bothered as I was removing the lense anyway, but if you're just changing the bulbs, probably best to stick with the Stanley.

Are you sure that turn signal is PY24W and not PH24WY?

[fat controller]

As a matter of interest, how much (roughly) would a dealer charge for replacing these bulbs if they fail? Is there two in each headlamp unit?

[kildoagh]

John,
To change bulbs you first have to remove headlight from car. Then using a heatgun or hair dryer, heat the edge of the light wher the lense is stuck on.
The seal will soften with the heat and then you can remove lense easily with out force. You then have acess to the daylight running bulbs. To put lense back on heat the seal again and press lense back in place. Hold in position untill seal cools and sets again. Hope this is some help

[kildoagh]

Remove head light. Remove clips and using heat gun soften seal holding on lense. You then have access to daylight running bulbs
To put back on lense soften seal again with heat and press down lense in place. Hold firmly down untill seal sets.
Hope this is some help.

[Ducknpineapple]

Hey Blacksurge,

I'm looking to do exactly this however the pics on this thread are not there. Any chance you could repost or PM me? I'm ducknpineapple@hotmail.com

Cheers buddy!

Kev