Audi A4 Dashboard Instrument Panel Light Bulb Dash Light Fix

[cbi004]

Having read a really nice thread on fixing these bulbs - it took me however 5 days to find a thread due to keyword thread not being properly titled.

Hence ive titled this best i can - so most will find this problem by search easily.


If someone helps - you should help back - so when i did mine i thought id post properly as loads of people have this problem ont he B5 as theyre very old cars now i was told id have to solder leds remove sterring etc but its all false - THSI JOB TAKES 10 MINS.


PHOTOS AT BOTTOM SHOULD HELP YOU - SORRY THEYRE NOT BRILL BUT I DID EM ON MOBILE LAST MINUTE WHEN I THOUGHT I COULD POST THEM HERE



You can now fix your dashboard lightbulbs on the A4 1998 1.9TDI (maybe same for the others) B5 models.

VERY VERY SIMPLE


I drove around for ages with no light on clock and past 80 on speedo for ages thinking i had to remove the steering wheel - but you can do this job in 10 mins!



INSTRUCTIONS


Get a Hex key set handy for screws.


Lower your steering - with the pull handle underneath to make room.


Push driver seat back - to make more room.


Lift up the small trim panel behind the steering and between the instrument panel - a small bend basically.


Now you see the 2 hex screws behind - take em out.


Push the trim down (the thin striped ridge one) and holding the two stalks for the clock and zero counter reset - pull the instrument panel towards you to remove it.


Now - look behind - manouvere slowly and on the left side theres a connector at back - small one and yellow one.


Use a screwdriver to slowly prise the black small one loose then use the screwdriver to lift the clip on the yellow connector - then use your hand to pull connector off.


Now you have more leway - pinch the clip in the middle and remove that connector


Now for the far side - go to the other side (window side of wheel) and use the screwdriver to lift the clip on the purple connector - and pull the connector -


HEY PRESTO - panel is loose - take it out turn it over.


Theres little space to move around but if you take the left side out first working your way to the third connector window side this is easiest.


You see the black bulbs - theyre 1.2W - for the lights like - fuel low etc - UNLESS YOU NEED THESE DONT BUY THESE!


You see the ORANGE ones - theyre the ones you need to change - CHANGE ALL 6 or 7 - FAULTY ONES GET REPLACED AND NEW ONES END UP BLOWING THE OLD ONES - SO BUY ALL ORANGE ONES - NOT JUST THE ONES NEEDING REPLACING.


Bulbs are £1 each at any shop - do a google for 1.1W orange bulb - youll see a shop in preston PR4 3RT called Vaux World - they sell them for 79p each and post out aswell - i dont know if theyre OSRAM though.


Do not buy at Maplin or Halfords! - they tried to sell me the wrong ones ( they said take black ones - WRONG!) and tried to delay me by making me wait 1 week - either ask Audi for them (cheap and original at least) - or look em up on the net.


If they arn't Orange holder versions - youre wasting your time. You can get cheap ones - NON Osram - dont last long! SO I RECCOMEND OSRAM!


Ok - i opened my panel in 5 mins then went looking for bulbs - took 4 days - so go looking for the bulbs first now that you know - you should get them first. - look at the photos first - youll need about 6 ish.


Easy peasy - use a screw driver and turn the orange holder in the back of the panel quarter turn and it comes loose - brill - easy - plug and play basically.


Put the new one in and turn again like last time to close it into position. I reccomend you take em all out then put em aside then put new ones in so you dont mix up!


Ok - basically now just put the dash back like it was and youre done connecting from right to left this time and slowly inset then screw and put trim back on.


So Easy - i couldnt believe my luckwhen i realised i could do this every week if i had to - and all this time id been putting up with a blank speedo past 80 and no clock!


Heres the photos attached which i took on my mobile so im glad it will help you.


Thanks

Templar
cbi004

I have a 1998 1.9TDI AUTO full leather - only 70000 miles - well looked after.



My gearbox is leaking - i need to change seal - auto gearbox - had refilled at £80 cost from Audi (they wouldnt tell me grade of oil to use) - but £350 to change the seal (£10) due to having to drop gearbox box - so i filled with oil and now its empty again 3 months later . get jerks - when changing gear and also goes into neutral and does funny revs before jerking into gear - due to low oil pressure.

all you need to do is top oil up change filter and seals in case of leaks!


plus need to change bulb on the ciggarette lighter - no threads here! so ill have to research slowly and look again - when done hopefully all ok on my car! no doubt threads exist but they arnt keyword titled properly so youd never find them - like needle in haystack.