How do you go about fixing headlights on an Audi A4?

Answer 1

For 2007 A4 turbo

Do not remove entire headlight housing, that would be a waste of your time. (see below for 2001-2005 removal which is different)

1.To give yourself some room to work, remove plastic cover with green cap sticking through it. Its located just behind the headlight housing. Pull away from vehicle and up, it just slides off.

1a. If you are working on passenger side, remove air intake instead.

2. Un-clip and remove plastic cover from back of housing for the bulb you wish to replace.

3. Remove electrical connection and clip from back of bulb. Connector slides straight back, clip moves in a hook shape.

4. Replace bulb (H7). Do not touch the glass, finger oil + halogen = premature failure. Clean with rubbing alcohol if necessary.

5. Replace covers in reverse order.

AnswerFor an Audi A4 year 2001-2005:

There are 4 torx screws that hold the head light unit in place, you need to remove the complete unit to gain access to the bulbs by using a T-27 torx head screwdriver.

1. you will have to mask off the bumper under the head light first, this will stop you damaging the paintwork.

2. you now have to pull off the electrical connector block this is done by squeezing the small bridge on the side of the block (this is not always necessary to do as you may be able to have a person hold it for you when you remove the headlight assembly).

3. remove the top 2 torx screws completely, then slacking off the bottom 2 screws but don't remove them. You will need a T-27 torx screwdriver at least 8" long to reach the bottom screw(s) to have enough handle to turn.

4. now slowly pull the head light unit out being careful not to damage the paintwork.

5. lay the unit on a towel to stop it from damaging whilst you un-clip the back cover, these bulbs are H7 55 watt.

6. replace bulb and reinstall same as removal. job done.

Words of wisdom: While you have the housing out spend the few extra bucks and replace the other bulbs (blinker and low beam light) as they will soon need to be replaced as well.

AnswerThe two bolts at the rear can be difficult to locate first time. Looking at the nearside headlight the left hand side one is level with the base of the headlight about halfway along its side. The right hand side bolt is hidden below the cables that come out of the inner wing and run directly behind the lamp cover. You'll need to cut the clip holding the the wires in place to gain access. Matchstick fingers are also handy! Use a LONG T-27 torx screwdriver... do not attempt without one!! Answer for 2005 A4Generally follow the directions for 2001-2005 above, but I found these differences on my 2005 A4 cabriolet (convertible). Found this on the passenger side headlamp only; didn't try the driver side, yet!

1. There are just 3 torx screws (not 4) holding the passenger side headlamp in place, 2 on top and only 1 on bottom.

2. I did not need to pull off the electrical connector block.

3. I did need to remove the plastic intake vent, exactly as described in step #2 below for the 2003 A4, but you don't need to remove the third vent piece on the left. You will find the 1 bottom torx screw beneath the Accordion connector piece. Loosen it, but do not unscrew it completely.

4. Again, there is no 4th torx screw (2nd bottom torx screw) beneath the left piece of the vent as described in step 4 for the 2003 A4 below. Continue with steps # 4, 5, 6 for the 2001 - 2005 above.

Answer for 2003 A4This info is for replacing the left (as you look at front of car from outside) headlight bulbs (and other bulbs as well):

1. Open the hood, the 2 upper torx (T-27) screws for headlight assembly are easy to spot. Remove those screws. I was able to use an Allen key of appropriate size as I didn't have the right torx tool.

2. To get to the lower screws, you need to remove the plastic intake vent. There are two Philips head screws along on the right from the torx ones you just removed, remove those. The vent is in 3 pieces, 2 rigid and one accordion-like connector between them. I could not figure out how to remove the piece on the left, but the one that was attached by the screws and the accordion piece were easy to get out.

3. Under the right vent piece you removed is the 3rd torx screw, lower down. You only need to loosen this, not remove it, as mentioned above.You need a LONG torx T-27 screwdriver at least 8" long to do this properly. I would recommend lubricating all the screws with WD-40 or equivalent prior to removing all screws.

4. This is the hard part. Since I couldn't remove the left piece of the vent, and it obscures the last lower screw, I had to attach my Allen key with tape to a long handled flat blade screwdriver, such that the elbow of the Allen key was leveraged against the blade to provide resistance against the counter-clockwise twist needed to loosen the screw. Fortunately the screw wasn't really tight so it loosened without breaking the tape.( It might work, but I would not recommend doing this. Instead go to the auto parts or hardware store and get a T-27 torx screwdriver (5$-10$) as long as possible. If you strip the screw you are out of luck big time for ever trying to remove it!)

5. Once the last 2 screws are loose the assembly comes mostly out (enough to get at the bulb cages), without disconnecting any wires. The rest is pretty easy and obvious - you pull out the wire that goes into the bulb after opening the cage door, and there are sprung clips that you squeeze to unhinge, then the bulb comes right out. I used H7 55W which is what the auto parts store found in the book for my model and year.

6. Everything goes back in reverse, with strategic nudging. I had to retape the Allen key to the screwdriver to get resistance for tightening, but other than that it was straightforward. Now I hope the screwdriver I dropped into the engine compartment comes out next time I drive it... (Exactly why you do not want to do it this way... spend the 5$ and buy a T-27 Torx Screwdriver!).