Stripped License Plate light screw

[pat242]

My driver's side license plate light went out, and I am trying to replace the bulb but the screw is stripped and stuck..here's a pic for reference. Any ideas guys?

[F16HTON]

I have an idea

Audi does not sell the screw by itself. The light assembly is about $15.

2002-2003 8E0 807 430 A (left) 8E0 807 430 B (right)

2003 up 8E0 943 021 B (left) 8E0 943 022 B (right)

[etnies]

have fun with that, both sides of mine stripped and then if its rusted im sure the entire bulb along with the connector is rusted. Cost 180 to replace i just never put new bulbs in, and its been over 2 years

[pat242]

I have an idea

Audi does not sell the screw by itself. The light assembly is about $15.

2002-2003 8E0 807 430 A (left) 8E0 807 430 B (right)

2003 up 8E0 943 021 B (left) 8E0 943 022 B (right)

Yes I know the assembly exists..i got the picture from ecs. what good is a new assembly if you cant take out the screw in there now?

[Alkivar]

all you need is a good screw extractor bit for a power drill:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KKR7JM

pulled my ass out of a jam numerous times when working on computers/electronics.

[beegeezy]

^yeah, you can get those at sears btw. I think I paid $7 for mine. (the screw extractor, not the drill)

[Leeber]

yeah these screws suck, its almost like they were made to strip!

[NyteEscape]

same thing just happened to me. i'm gonna call the dealer and see if i can pick one up, then try to figure out how to get that damn screw out.

here's a pic for reference.

[JEENYUS]

i am glad that i am not the only person that had this issue. the first time i tried to even look at it i almost stripped the screw... that thing is retarded.

[AMESSA4_NJ]

i dealt with this and its not fun ..

[Boosted3.0]

I used a phillips head on a ratchet. Works fine.

[Pothole]

haha i just put LED's in mine and almost striped both those stupid screws out

good luck with those

[rpetral0]

Just had the same issue!!! Beyond frustrating. Finally just got pissed, soaked it in break free and wd-40, let it sit for 10 min and bam, out with a jewelry screwdriver. Good luck!

[Juggern@ut]

have fun with that, both sides of mine stripped and then if its rusted im sure the entire bulb along with the connector is rusted. Cost 180 to replace i just never put new bulbs in, and its been over 2 years

My rear has been dark for a year now

[Hotel Guy]

Just pry the corner of the assembly, crack it in half, use snips to clip away all the plastic, then you have enough space to just use some needle nose pliers and unscrew/yank it out. Go buy a new assembly at the dealer for $15 and save yourself the hassle.

[Roadie73]

This was discussed on one of the other forums (AW I believe) and one of the posters went out and sourced some replacement screws - stainless if I recall - think they were M3 x 15, but I could be wrong.

Once I find better screws, I'm ordering LED's and replacing both of mine - might have to get medival on the one that's stripped out...

[onceover]

i used some RC screws for mine and they worked like a charm

[Peacob]

wish they had replacement screws with an allen wrench head, such a shitty/awkward space to work in with a screwdriver anyway. I have the same problem, somehow got them out today, cant forsee them coming out ever again unless i want to drill them out.

[a4cruiser]

striped mine and had to drill out. not fun

[onceover]

wish they had replacement screws with an allen wrench head, such a shitty/awkward space to work in with a screwdriver anyway. I have the same problem, somehow got them out today, cant forsee them coming out ever again unless i want to drill them out.

you can find some. thats what my RC screws are

[woofster]

Drilled mine out as well. One of the most poorly designed components on the B6, IMO. I bored out the old screw and drilled in new ones at different locations using better screws (Robertson head FTW, btw).

[forevraudi]

mine are on their way out too. will b stripped if i touch them again....

[bmags88]

This happened to me. I took a small drill bit and drille a hole right into the head. Make sure the bit is smaller than the screw shaft (dont laugh!!) so that you're not actually drilling it out. Then find a star bit small enough to wedge in there with enough grip to unscrew it.

[diagnosticator]

Drill the broken/stripped screw out. With either new light assemblies, or to repair the existing lights, use SS socket button head machine screws retrofitted to all four screws. Use a 2mm X 10mm screw and pre tap the light housings if needed. It's easiest to remove the entire lid switch/lamp assembly from the lid to to a proper repair. Remove the lid liner to access the bolts for the assembly.

[burns420]

I stripped mine to. i ordered some led lights and used a torch to heat the screw and it came right out(you need a very small tip) and melted the housings at the same time and the just fell off. Ill be using robertson screws since they dont strip(if you can use a screwdriver).

[old guy]

I found it easier to just remove the the whole assembly as diagnosticator suggested. Only takes about 20 minutes and everything is much easier to access.

[AudiBama]

Happened to me....I just drilled out the screw and used a silicone adhesive to hold it back in. Just needs a screwdriver to pop out now...and re-glue for reinstall :P

[1.8WAGA4]

I found it easier to just remove the the whole assembly as diagnosticator suggested. Only takes about 20 minutes and everything is much easier to access.

old guy, can you explain how to remove that back panel / lid? I see some clips in between but have no clue on how to remove without damage. Thank

[old guy]

old guy, can you explain how to remove that back panel / lid? I see some clips in between but have no clue on how to remove without damage. Thank

It's been a few years since i removed the trunk lid liner but I will do the best I can from memory. There were two alignment bumpers on the left and right outer edge that removed with a Phillips head screw. The glow in the dark cover on the interior trunk safety release handle snaps off there is a screw underneath the cover that has to be removed. Take out the safety triangle and remove the holding bracket by pressing up on the two plastic tabs in the lower edge of the holder. I think there was a screw underneath the bracket that had to be removed. I believe that was all that had to be removed. Next just pull down on the edges of the liner to release the plastic snaps holding it in place. Start in one corner and work your way around until the liner is free. You should then have access to the release mechanism and liscense plate lamp holder/release holder bracket.

Good luck!

[Red Rings]

It's been a few years since i removed the trunk lid liner but I will do the best I can from memory. There were two alignment bumpers on the left and right outer edge that removed with a Phillips head screw. The glow in the dark cover on the interior trunk safety release handle snaps off there is a screw underneath the cover that has to be removed. Take out the safety triangle and remove the holding bracket by pressing up on the two plastic tabs in the lower edge of the holder. I think there was a screw underneath the bracket that had to be removed. I believe that was all that had to be removed. Next just pull down on the edges of the liner to release the plastic snaps holding it in place. Start in one corner and work your way around until the liner is free. You should then have access to the release mechanism and liscense plate lamp holder/release holder bracket.

Good luck!

wtf that was from memory..(damn robots with mustaches) i would of been like i think there is 2..no 4.. wait i think 7 clips. someone on the the trunk...

[KGB]

Shit, I thought I was the only one this happened to. Both lights went out at the same time and I fcuking stripped both! Then the one on the left came back on and I didn't get a light out message on the dash. Let's hope it stays like that (knock on wood) cause I dont wanna deal with this.

Happened to me....I just drilled out the screw and used a silicone adhesive to hold it back in. Just needs a screwdriver to pop out now...and re-glue for reinstall :P

Ghetto, but I like! Will probably do this.


PS - WTF is up with all the lights going out in these cars?! Driving me nuts! Every time I turn the car on I know I'm gonna hear that dreadful beeeeeeeep.

[Lusticles]

the screws on my headlights were all stripped
ended up fixing it with some sort of putty

[skeeball]

Good luck getting the stripped screws out. The angle is awkward which makes removal difficult but not impossible. Best to remove the housing first. I ended up replacing the entire housing and the light covers. When you reinstall, anti-seize is your friend.

Here are instructions for removing everything.

[diagnosticator]

wish they had replacement screws with an allen wrench head, such a shitty/awkward space to work in with a screwdriver anyway. I have the same problem, somehow got them out today, cant forsee them coming out ever again unless i want to drill them out.

Allen/socket button head stainless machine screws in metric size are available from most Ace Hardware stores, and other sources.

[alexza4]

all you need is a good screw extractor bit for a power drill:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KKR7JM

pulled my ass out of a jam numerous times when working on computers/electronics.

these work great and i highly recommend getting a set. and pickup a set of these while you're at it. both have saved my ass so many times.

[1.8WAGA4]

Thank you guys for your help, but I realized that most of you have a sedan and I need to find the info regarding an Avant. Seems to be different to remove the interior door/trunk panel and that's where i got problem now. After removing the triangle and the 4 screws, I'm able to pry a little bit and see that there is 6 clips retaining the panel. 1 out the 6 is already broken and need to find out how to remove the other 5. Is there a special tool for that?

[TTurn2]

I have had this problem, like many others (Avant). If you drill the heads off of the screws, you can remove the lens itself. This will allow access to the 'headless' screw shaft. The screw shafts can be extracted with a pair of small needle nose pliers; you can turn them out with the pliers.
Note: the screw extractor noted above is excellent, as well.

[1.8WAGA4]

I have had this problem, like many others (Avant). If you drill the heads off of the screws, you can remove the lens itself. This will allow access to the 'headless' screw shaft. The screw shafts can be extracted with a pair of small needle nose pliers; you can turn them out with the pliers.
Note: the screw extractor noted above is excellent, as well.

I know that sounds like the easiest way to change bulbs, but in my case, like many others, I need to change the entire unit because the sockets are grilled. In fact, I need to remove the intérior panel of the tailgate to access the screws that retain the unit in place. Anyone with a Bentley manual showing how to remove those interior clips?

[joelashin]

yeah these screws suck, its almost like they were made to strip!

they were made in france :o D:

[JoshDub]

they were made in france :o D: