Marc07
Road Burner
Well, I came up with idea of this thread after my recent 'adventures' with changing the light bulbs on my A8.
I have searched lots of Audi forums and threads on different sites, but not all of them gives you a clear and true answer in regards to this issue or even a single picture.
I'm aware that there is not many A8 owners registered on this site or there is even no A8 sub-forum, but if at least one person will find this guide helpful then I'm happy
So there you go.
This guide is for all Audi A8s D3 - pre-Facelift models from '02-'05 and Facelift models from end of '05-'10 I believe.
Mine is the '06 plate 4E facelift model.
Lets start quickly from the Fog Lights.
This ones are very simple. You start from uncliping the grill surrounding the fog light with the flat head screwdriver, there are small holes between the grills's ribs, 2 on the top side and 2 on the bottom side.
Then unscrew both screws on the outside part and half-lose the 3rd one. Next all you do is pull the unit out and unclip the 5 latches around the housing, take the back housing off and there you go. Cables off, unclip the bulb, put the new bulb, secure it with clips, connect the cables, clip the housing back in place, screw it back, clip the grills and your are done.
Pre-Facelift models using the H1 bulbs, and the Facelift models from late '05 are fitted with H7 bulbs 55W.
Removing Headlights.
Unfortunately, in this scenario you have to remove the bumper, BUT you not necessary have to remove them to change the bulbs as recommended by some websites.
Before you start taking the bumper off, don't forget to remove the 'pampers' first (the plastic cover on the bottom of the engine attached to the bumper as well).
Bumpers screws are located at the top when you open the bonnet, then you will need to take the wheel arch liner completely off (take the wheel off for it), or just lose the wheel arch liner with the wheel on, less job but tight with space.
You will find there 3 screws, if you struggling you can also access them from the fog lights side, follow the changing fog lights bulb steps.
Then headlights are hold by 6 screws: 2 behind the headlight (on the bottom behind the unit there are 2screws with quiet big washers, hard to miss), 2 on the top of the headlight and 2 below the headlight which can be accessed only after removing/loosing the bumper unfortunately.
Changing bulbs.
NO NEED to remove the headlights.
Passenger side
This can be done by removing the wheel, then removing the wheel arch liner and there you go, fairly easy access to the back of the headlight unit.
OR
Just behind the headlight, there is a black reservoir, power steering one I think, unscrew the bolt (size10) on the top left and then pull it off from the metal frame which holds it, as far as you need, depends from the size of your hand really.
Then, unclip the back covers and there you go. Sidelights and High Beam is located in the compartment close to the radiator, and the Low Beam are located on the indicator side.
Sidelights, all you have to do is to pull them out and thats it, there is no secure clips etc, and there are W5W 501.
High Beam and Low Beam - H7 55W 12V
High and Low Beam bulb can be replaced by applying pressure to the base of the bulb, and then turning to left or right side (can't remember now, but easy to find out )
The connector comes with a metal base where you plugging in the bulb which have a metal pin on each side, and headlight is fitted with 2 slots/cuts where the pins sitting on.
Driver side
Unfortunately, no matter which method you want to use here, you will need to remove the airbox first.
Unscrew 5 cross head screws around the edge. Then behind the airbox and air flow sensor there where cable is attached unscrew the cross head screw on the metal clamp ring around the air pipe which goes to the back of the engine, and when you do that just lift the box and pull it off.
Then there is really no point to take the wheel and wheel arch liner off as when you remove the airbox there is quiet a lot of room to access low and high beam sections.
I did mine without taking the wheels and wheel arches off. Which ever way you go, there is still very little space so it's not an very easy task.
Good luck and I hope at least one person will find it helpful as it took me quiet a lot of time before I found my own the most effective way, next time it will be a matter of 10-15min not hours like on the first time
I have searched lots of Audi forums and threads on different sites, but not all of them gives you a clear and true answer in regards to this issue or even a single picture.
I'm aware that there is not many A8 owners registered on this site or there is even no A8 sub-forum, but if at least one person will find this guide helpful then I'm happy
So there you go.
This guide is for all Audi A8s D3 - pre-Facelift models from '02-'05 and Facelift models from end of '05-'10 I believe.
Mine is the '06 plate 4E facelift model.
Lets start quickly from the Fog Lights.
This ones are very simple. You start from uncliping the grill surrounding the fog light with the flat head screwdriver, there are small holes between the grills's ribs, 2 on the top side and 2 on the bottom side.
Then unscrew both screws on the outside part and half-lose the 3rd one. Next all you do is pull the unit out and unclip the 5 latches around the housing, take the back housing off and there you go. Cables off, unclip the bulb, put the new bulb, secure it with clips, connect the cables, clip the housing back in place, screw it back, clip the grills and your are done.
Pre-Facelift models using the H1 bulbs, and the Facelift models from late '05 are fitted with H7 bulbs 55W.
Removing Headlights.
Unfortunately, in this scenario you have to remove the bumper, BUT you not necessary have to remove them to change the bulbs as recommended by some websites.
Before you start taking the bumper off, don't forget to remove the 'pampers' first (the plastic cover on the bottom of the engine attached to the bumper as well).
Bumpers screws are located at the top when you open the bonnet, then you will need to take the wheel arch liner completely off (take the wheel off for it), or just lose the wheel arch liner with the wheel on, less job but tight with space.
You will find there 3 screws, if you struggling you can also access them from the fog lights side, follow the changing fog lights bulb steps.
Then headlights are hold by 6 screws: 2 behind the headlight (on the bottom behind the unit there are 2screws with quiet big washers, hard to miss), 2 on the top of the headlight and 2 below the headlight which can be accessed only after removing/loosing the bumper unfortunately.
Changing bulbs.
NO NEED to remove the headlights.
Passenger side
This can be done by removing the wheel, then removing the wheel arch liner and there you go, fairly easy access to the back of the headlight unit.
OR
Just behind the headlight, there is a black reservoir, power steering one I think, unscrew the bolt (size10) on the top left and then pull it off from the metal frame which holds it, as far as you need, depends from the size of your hand really.
Then, unclip the back covers and there you go. Sidelights and High Beam is located in the compartment close to the radiator, and the Low Beam are located on the indicator side.
Sidelights, all you have to do is to pull them out and thats it, there is no secure clips etc, and there are W5W 501.
High Beam and Low Beam - H7 55W 12V
High and Low Beam bulb can be replaced by applying pressure to the base of the bulb, and then turning to left or right side (can't remember now, but easy to find out )
The connector comes with a metal base where you plugging in the bulb which have a metal pin on each side, and headlight is fitted with 2 slots/cuts where the pins sitting on.
Driver side
Unfortunately, no matter which method you want to use here, you will need to remove the airbox first.
Unscrew 5 cross head screws around the edge. Then behind the airbox and air flow sensor there where cable is attached unscrew the cross head screw on the metal clamp ring around the air pipe which goes to the back of the engine, and when you do that just lift the box and pull it off.
Then there is really no point to take the wheel and wheel arch liner off as when you remove the airbox there is quiet a lot of room to access low and high beam sections.
I did mine without taking the wheels and wheel arches off. Which ever way you go, there is still very little space so it's not an very easy task.
Good luck and I hope at least one person will find it helpful as it took me quiet a lot of time before I found my own the most effective way, next time it will be a matter of 10-15min not hours like on the first time