Rear light cluster failure warning - but bulbs not blown?!

**MSJA6** · 20-10-2009,10:02 PM

Hi I am a new forum member so please go easy.

A6 2006 2.0 TDi

I have had a developing fault. The dashboard warning on for rear right lights cluster indicates rear brake, lights, indicator, reversing ... lights failed, but they haven't as when I switch off ignition and then back on intially they work ok and then a few seconds later the failure and warning message appears again and they no longer work - like there is a power failure.

Have checked all the bulbs and ok, have looked at the pins and they appear ok and seated correctly, have removed fuse and this is ok.

Any ideas or help would be appreciated.

Best regards

**All-rod** · 20-10-2009,10:19 PM

Hi, and welcome to forum. I had the exact same problem on mine last year.
turned out to be dodgy bulb, I bought from *********. Seemed to work when wigled about, but kept going off often. Went to local parts store, new bulb later problem disappeared. You could start with new bulbs first, change both to make sure.

**lonky** · 20-10-2009,10:41 PM

I have had this issue when I changed blown bulb on one side. I assume reistance must change with time. fixed by putting a pair of bulbs.

**kite** · 21-10-2009,08:43 AM

and clean up the bulb connections...

**MFGF** · 21-10-2009,08:48 AM

It's also worth checking the earth connection too. Does this happen in just one cluster or both?

MF.

**MSJA6** · 21-10-2009,01:14 PM

Thanks for the suggestions - will try these.

Regarding earth connection - it only occurs on the rights had side rear - do you know where I can locate the earth connection as looking at cabling from cluster it is not clear?

Many thanks

**MFGF** · 21-10-2009,01:43 PM

Not sure where the earth point is, but I can confirm I had this same issue in the right rear cluster on my last A6, which the dealer fixed.

MF.

**dthom70623@tesc** · 22-10-2009,05:01 PM

Have had this problem twice over the last 2 years. On each occasion it has been faulty bulb working on and off intermittently. 2 new bulbs should cure it (make sure you get right ones though).

**MSJA6** · 22-10-2009,10:37 PM

Thanks to all those that posted. I changed all 5 bulbs in the end yesterday. So far so good - touch wood - hopefully this is a permanent fix.

Thanks again

**jUsT2eXy** · 26-11-2009,07:57 PM

Hi. Just had my friend who is a mechanci turn up to fix this issue.

1) Right bulb warning
2) Got bulb from Halfords
3) Took old bulb out and put it back in. It worked!
4) Next day got the warning on dash again.
5) I changed bulb with a new one. Worked, then stopped.

So I called my friend. He said the bulbs are fine... but then he thought the resistor was faulty / stopped working.

Then he 'cleaned' the connections and was blowing over the connections. HE said it was due to 'dirty connections'..

Seems to have done the trick. Will keep and eye out.

I hope it isn't due to the Condensation...

Oh and it is just the right side rear that was affected..

Oh and my friend said the earth is the big screw? It was dark like 30 mins ago so he couldn't see very well..