A6 bulb monitor

[kenmurray]

2008 a6 2.0 tdi saloon bulb monitor intermittent warning , happens after 5 to 10 minutes of driving , single or multi bulb failure at r/h rear , brake light , tail light, indicator , new bulbs fitted , contacts cleaned , connection to rear light panel ok, only happens on o/s/r

[Guest 2]

very common problem - leaking clusters

get a new one bulb holder from audi

[kenmurray]

Is the bulb holder therefore going to open circuit as a result of moisture in rear cluster , so does the rear light Assy have to be replaced also if it is letting in moisture ?

[Guest 2]

theres a big thread in this very section A6 Rear light cluster ( 07) includes fixes, replacement bits etc ..

[gupsterg]

Looking at your first post Kenmurray you've done most stuff, but IIRC in the thread that Chris highlight there is a earth point which people sort aswell... I think Brycie had this and done on his...

[Akash]

Had the same here 2 months ago
Right cluster kept going - one bulb after another in succession until only the brake light worked (LED so isolated from the others as it is not on the same holder)

Cleaned, dried, worked for a day but then started playing up again

Ended up replacing the bulb holder from Audi - only cost around £20 from memory. Ironically, I changed it in the rain as it was dark and I had a long motorway journey to do after picking the part up so I had to change there and then. 2 months on, it still works fine

What I did do as I was removing the cluster was I ended up removing all the bulbs and replacing them for new/better ones. Same on the other side, just wish I changed the bulb holder on the other side too but nevermind!

[kenmurray]

As chris pointed out in earlier post re A6 rear light cluster (07)
I added another post there as it is relation to moisture in rear light ,


Moisture in rear light also causes this issue ,
this is more a safety issue than cosmetic issue,

2008 a6 2.0 tdi saloon bulb monitor intermittent warning , happens after 5 to 10 minutes of driving , single or multi bulb failure warning at r/h rear , brake light , tail light, indicator , new bulbs fitted , contacts cleaned , connection to rear light panel ok, only happens on o/s/r

More than likely condensation build up inside rear lens caused by heat generated on inside surface against outside cold surface , causing multiple bulb failure or breakdown of internal supply voltage to bulbs at bulb holder , will try drilling off inside of lens and moisture removal within next week , re clean contacts etc , repost ASAP

[gupsterg]

Not just on this car but on others I have found that contacts which have a tendency to corrode smearing a bit of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) inhibits return of corrosion...

I did this treatment on mine... issue never return...

[kenmurray]

Rear light cluster male pin found with discoloured surface , cleaned up with nail file and applied contact cleanser , female side supplies negative earth to indicator , tail lights ect , through brown wire ,

[Crasher]

Change the earth terminal for a gold plated one using either an AMP crimp terminal or a VAG repair wire 000 979 133 AB (£3) and 6R0 973 735 (£6) is the housing if it is melted. If pin in the bulb holder is clean, tin it with solder, these two steps will drastically reduce the resistance and so reduce heat generation under high load.