How-to: License Plate Bulb Replacement (B6/B7, A4/S4)

[S4Bennett]

Replacement Parts:
(x1 pair) License Place Light Bulb (P/N 6418); sold in pairs
LED Bulbs, Pic 1
LED Bulbs, Pic 2
(x2, optional) OEM Audi Lense & Screw Assembly (P/N 8E0-942-021-B); screw not sold separately, the head was already starting to strip out on one of mine

Tools:
1/4" Hex Drive Mini Ratchet (Craftsman, P/N TBD)
#1 Phillips Screwdriver Bit

Procedure:
1.) Open trunk lid.
2.) Remove Phillips head screw; it's recommended to use the ratchet and #1 driver bit so that you can push into the fastener head while using the extra torque arm of the ratchet to break the fastener loose. If you choose to use a regular screwdriver, you have a greater chance of stripping the Phillips head.
3.) Remove lense and bulb assembly from trunk lid. The bulb is connected to the lense. Audi chose to use a surface contact type of connection that houses the bulb on the lense with a pair of prongs that contacts surface mounted pads in the trunk lid.
4.) Remove old bulb.
5.) Install new bulb. I chose to use LED bulbs.
6.) Re-install lense-bulb assembly, side opposite of screw goes in first.
7.) Tighten fastener.
8.) Switch lights to ON to verify light output.

[zachf88]

these did not work on my RS4

[S4Bennett]

Is that a B6 to B7 difference? I never did confirm that the B7's use the same bulbs.

[zachf88]

B7 uses same bulb, however, if you have a red digital screen in your gauge cluster, you'll be fine. It's when you have a colored DIS in the gauge cluster where you run into problems. I think most S4's haved colored DIS's.

[f0reignfeatures]

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but this seems like the most appropriate place to ask, I attempted taking out the screws mentioned above in my b6 a4 but they were seized. I used a smaller screwdriver set (I use them for working on my computer) but one screw is stripped and I don't want to damage the other. You guys have any recommendations on how to get the screws out now? Appreciate your replies

[SpoolBus]

Yeah those screws blow and pretty much anytime you remove you need new one's
Using a computer driver head is great but make sure you have a flex extension (not much space in license plate well, these rubber flex extensions come in most CPU repair kits) so its not angled at all and straight in and push up as you turn.

If it's totally stripped out you are going to have to either try to dremmel a slot for a screw driver in the head or drill/grind the head off so you can get the lens off then turn the stump with pliers.

Buy a bag of those screws, stainless, they come in handy!

[f0reignfeatures]

Didn't have a flex extension in my kit, but I'll probably look into the mini ratchet mentioned in the DIY here and see if that works for me. The screw that I did try on is pretty stripped so the dremmel tool might be the only way to get it out. Thanks for your advice SpoolBus!

[A4Maine-iac]

On my old B6 I had to drill out one of the screw. Then just used a slightly larger screw when put back in.