B7 A4 Headlight replacement

[simonrk57]

Ahhhhhhh!!!!!

Replaced the bulbs (dipped) and now the code has gone and have 2 working lights. Only problem is, they are pointing straight to the ground! I didn't remove the headlights to do so... Can anyone advise how you clip the bulbs back in properly?!

[darich]

the bulbs don't clip in the sense the bulbs clip into position.
They're held in place by a metal hook which is shaped to hold the base of the bulb against the bottom of the reflector.

couple of things spring to mind.

Check the bulbs is seated properly against the reflector. I checked mine by looking from the front of the car.
Is it held in place securely by the retaining clip?
Not sure if this is possible, but is the bulb upside down? might need to check the manual for that one.

there really isn't much more to it that that I don't think.

[kodkod.84]

Also park the car up close facing a wall with the lights on- it will make it easier to see if the beam pattern is misaligned. I remember how much of a pain it is to replace these bulbs on the A4 with big hands and limited space

[Sarge786]

Yep agree that the bulb isn't seated correctly, they usually have a lug on them which has to 'slot in' to it's appropriate position, if the lug isn't correctly located it will seat the bulb at an angle which will as you say point bulbs too steep downwards immediately in front of the car. Easily done on some headlamps.
Believe it or not I had someone bought me his car as it failed MOT on this, Halfords had done the bulb replacement AND the MOT, yet failed it on this, I simply checked the bulbs and as said they weren't in their correct 'home' position thereby creating this issue, should have seen the guys face at Halfords

[Monsieur]

I see halfords offer a bulb replacement service - anyone had this done on their A4?

[darich]

I see halfords offer a bulb replacement service - anyone had this done on their A4?

I've not used the service but I'd like to see them change my headlamp bulbs for a few quid.
It takes around an hour to change both and that's if you know exactly how to do it. When I did it first time, it took me around 2 hours and I broke a brand new £28 bulb in the process.