A4 Avant License Plate Lights

[paulyb71]

Hi all

I've got a license plate light out on the wife's 2003 A4 Avant Quatro. The screws on the lenses are completely shot to pieces, and even after drilling them out, the lens won't budge.

I think I'm going to replace the whole plinth, as the lenses look a bit crappy, and it's corroded like anything behind it.

This is where I'm having problems........

I've removed the boot trim and removed the 4 10mm nuts from the back of the plinth. I've also taken out the 10mm bolt attaching the locking mechanism to the back of the plinth.

I can slightly move the plinth, but can't get it out as it seems the whole locking mechanism (with the key barrel) needs to come out - but it doesn't seem to move at all from the plinth. Is there a trick, or does the locking mechanism come out with the whole plinth?

Any advise gratefully received

TIA

Paul

[Adman]

Dont mess around changing the lights, get a whole new boot handle unit. I did it recently with a salvage part, cost £20 from a breakers (quite cheap so expect to pay more) but this was for a B7 - only difference is there is no barrel lock - didn't bother me.

If i remember correctly it was a nightmare to get out cos it had corroded so badly. Took abit of effort and i was a bit brutal but it came out eventually.

Make sure you have the new unit before taking the old one out as you'll probably damage it on the way out and wont fit. IIRC avant and saloon units are the same.

Good luck - i found the worst bit was getting the trim off the boot - ruined my fingers!!

[paulyb71]

Dont mess around changing the lights, get a whole new boot handle unit. I did it recently with a salvage part, cost £20 from a breakers (quite cheap so expect to pay more) but this was for a B7 - only difference is there is no barrel lock - didn't bother me.

If i remember correctly it was a nightmare to get out cos it had corroded so badly. Took abit of effort and i was a bit brutal but it came out eventually.

Make sure you have the new unit before taking the old one out as you'll probably damage it on the way out and wont fit. IIRC avant and saloon units are the same.

Good luck - i found the worst bit was getting the trim off the boot - ruined my fingers!!

Thanks - I found getting the trim off was the easy part!!!!

Does the lock barrel come off with the unit. I have undone the bolts holding it in, but can see if the barrel comes out with the unit, or if it stays behind in the boot. After taking off the four bolts, it seems to want to move except around where the locking mechanism is.

[Adman]

I dismantled the barrel lock before i took it off as i thought that was what the problem, but im pretty sure it will come out without doing that. I think i ran a screwdriver around to try and break up some of the corrosion.

[paulyb71]

So if I give it a scrape from the outside, it should come out of the hole in the light unit? Is it fixed to the unit at all?

Thanks for your help

[Adman]

Sorry, i wasn't very clear in my previous post, im pretty sure the handle unit will come out without taking the barrel off. If you want to take the barrel off, i think there are a couple of e clips you take off but watch out for the springs and remember the order you take everything apart!