Headlight turn signal internal connector FRIED. Told I need a whole new headlight.

[EURO_DOLL]

Well as my luck goes, I have another lighting problem and it’s not an easy fix (as far as I know).

The other day when it was raining out, my drivers side front turn signal blew out. I figured I’d be able to go in and change the bulb and be done with it. After trying a few new bulbs, I realized it wasn’t the bulb. I then moved onto the turn signal bulb holder to see if that was the issue – swapped it into the passenger side and it worked. Took the bulb holder from the passanger side and put it into the drivers side – nothing.

Then, I took the entire headlight out so I could get a better look, and when looking into the circular hole where the turn signal bulb holder twists into, I noticed one of the connectors was completely black. It almost looked like the metal coating totally fried off of it. Tried cleaning it, nothing. Lightly scraped it, and it was actually soft. There’s no metal left on the one metal connector, and one of the other ones was slightly cloudy, but I was able to clean it.

When I looked at the bulb that came out of the DS assembly, the one area of it was completely brown on the outside, and when twisting the bulb back inside I noticed that the burnt side of the bulb lined up with the burnt connector. Long story short, I’m almost positive it’s that little circular piece that the turn signal bulb holder twists into, which I believe burnt out from getting slightly wet while raining. I got in touch with my VW/ Audi mechanic to see if there was a part for this, and I was told they don’t make internal replacement pieces for earlier model headlights (B6), and that I’d have to replace the entire headlight housing.

I have the stock, non-halogen headlights (which have smaller projectors) but were upgraded to HID’s. Being that I joey modded my headlights, I really don’t wanna deal with the headache of buying another full headlight housing, and then having to crack it open and joey mod it to match the other side (but I will if I have to). Don’t have the option of buying e-codes right now – so save that suggestion! LOL.

Is it possible to fix the circular clip with the 3 connectors WITHOUT having to buy a whole new headlight? Being that I HAVE Joey modded my headlights, I can take them apart pretty easily. If I remember correctly, the little circular clip piece where the turn signal is pops out and has 3 thin wires, one coming from each of the connectors. Say it is just the connector, is it possible to just put another metal connector in place of the one that fried out?

Sorry if this sounds totally moronic! LOL. I’ve never even heard of this happening to anyone before. Searched & found nothing. ANY help would be greatly appreciated.

Here’s a couple of pictures of the little piece I’m talking about:




^^ And that's the turn signal bulb holder. If you look where the arrow is, it almost looks like it got crazy hot before it burnt out, and a piece of the plastic melted under that connector. That connector lines up with the one inside that is metal-less now. (Bulb holder itself still works though.)


Thank you guys in advance!

[gottaBdope]

Hmmh. I had the same issue caused by similar problems. The insulation on my turn signal wires (and all of them actually) was just falling off. I went through the same trouble shooting you did and I too had joey modded, so I didn't wanna buy new housings either. Here's the wires :



The black ones on the bottom are the turn signal ones. I ended up pulling out all of the wiring and redoing it all. It came out great. The only issue is that I don't think you can take those three prongs off the signal housing without taking the lens cover off...least that's what I remember from the joey mod. You don't have to take the cover off to redo the wiring. If you have no problem taking the lens cover off and doing some rewiring then you can completely refresh your headlight! I have more photos and tips if this is a route you're interested in taking...

[gottaBdope]

By the way, replacing the prongs would only fix your signal problem, it wouldn't prevent it from happening again. I'd look through all the wires and see what caused it to over heat in the first place. My money is on bad wire insulation if they're stock lights...or if you have an opening for the rain to leak in and short the wires out.

[EURO_DOLL]

Hmmh. I had the same issue caused by similar problems. The insulation on my turn signal wires (and all of them actually) was just falling off. I went through the same trouble shooting you did and I too had joey modded, so I didn't wanna buy new housings either. Here's the wires :



The black ones on the bottom are the turn signal ones. I ended up pulling out all of the wiring and redoing it all. It came out great. The only issue is that I don't think you can take those three prongs off the signal housing without taking the lens cover off...least that's what I remember from the joey mod. You don't have to take the cover off to redo the wiring. If you have no problem taking the lens cover off and doing some rewiring then you can completely refresh your headlight! I have more photos and tips if this is a route you're interested in taking...

By the way, replacing the prongs would only fix your signal problem, it wouldn't prevent it from happening again. I'd look through all the wires and see what caused it to over heat in the first place. My money is on bad wire insulation if they're stock lights...or if you have an opening for the rain to leak in and short the wires out.

Yesss you're a life-saver! Thank you so much.

I really didn't know if it was even possible to fix this internally. I have no problem taking the headlights apart to fix any of these issues. I specifically closed my headlight housings back up with silicone and liquid electrical tape so everything was closed off properly but I'd be able to get back into them 1-2-3. Before I even joey modded my headlights, I was getting an ocean of water inside both the driver & pass side whenever it rained. It's been a million times better since I opened them back up and re-sealed them myself but I'm almost positive water's coming in through the back of the headlight cover.

I honestly had not a clue about wiring or ANYTHING electrical for that matter until I got into the Audi world. haha. I'm gonna open them back up tonight to see what I'm facing. But yes you're correct - you can't snap the metal connector clips off without going at them from the front of the headlight. If I am taking the lens cover off, is it actually possible to replace those clips at all if need be? I don't even know what I'd be buying to replace that with.

Tonight I'm gonna get in there to see what can be done. If I have any issues regarding what goes where, I'll shoot you a PM if that's okay Again, you're a life saver and a half. Thank you

[gottaBdope]

Way I see it is, the metal tabs are just that, metal tabs. So realistically you can use any sort of connection tab that you just bend over as long as it has a good connection. Hell, you could probably go to some DIY store and buy clip tabs like that.

I redid all the wiring as a permanent solution for a temporary housing (getting new ones sometime). I used 16ga wiring...you know what, Just look at this :D read the first half of this post.

And sure! PM me if ya got questions.

EDIT: Actually, that link is kinda useless, lol. Just shows a picture and doesn't talk at all about what I. Just lemme know if you need help.

[EURO_DOLL]

Way I see it is, the metal tabs are just that, metal tabs. So realistically you can use any sort of connection tab that you just bend over as long as it has a good connection. Hell, you could probably go to some DIY store and buy clip tabs like that.

I redid all the wiring as a permanent solution for a temporary housing (getting new ones sometime). I used 16ga wiring...you know what, Just look at this :D read the first half of this post.

And sure! PM me if ya got questions.

EDIT: Actually, that link is kinda useless, lol. Just shows a picture and doesn't talk at all about what I. Just lemme know if you need help.

LOL No the link isn't useless! I at least have a visual of the wiring. Between that picture and the one you posted up there ^ I have a bit more of an idea of what's going on and what I need to get haha. Thanks a bunch again, Rory.

I'm obviously in my own world 99% of the time. I posted like 3 posts beneath that picture in your thread, and all I wrote was about how jealous I was of your Hawaii license plates. LOL.

Going to attempt this fun stuff tonight.

[gottaBdope]

I'm obviously in my own world 99% of the time. I posted like 3 posts beneath that picture in your thread, and all I wrote was about how jealous I was of your Hawaii license plates. LOL.

Going to attempt this fun stuff tonight.

HAHAHA. I forgot about that. It's soo easy to get off topic.

[iamshayan]

TLDNR

IF YOU NEED A TURN SIGNAL THING I HAVE ONE. HELL I HAVE A WHOLE EXTRA HALOGEN HEADLIGHT I DONT NEED.
CAPITAL LETTERS
(this board auto corrects to not capitals if you try and freak out in caps lock)

[EURO_DOLL]

TLDNR. h

IF YOU NEED A TURN SIGNAL THING I HAVE AN EXTRA LAYING AROUND.

lol you should know by now if I started a thread about an issue I'm having, it's gonna be detailed & long!

What part of the turn signal is it? My problem has to do with the circular clip inside the headlight that has the 3 flat metal connectors on it.

Thanks!

[a4darkness]

Turn signal blub holders can be purchased independently of the housings. Fairly certain this is the part number you need but do verify 1st.
8E0953053A
~$30

[gottaBdope]

^yeah, I got mine from the dealership for $35. It might work initially, but that's not gonna prevent it from happening again. Sounds like you need one anyways.

[DaSkorpion]

Subscribed just because its a Euro_Doll thread. Sorry don't have any advice to offer just trying to pick up a thing or two from this thread cos Euro_Doll got some serious wrenching skillz.

[EURO_DOLL]

Turn signal blub holders can be purchased independently of the housings. Fairly certain this is the part number you need but do verify 1st.
8E0953053A
~$30

Thanks a bunch I actually went to the stealership a little while back to get pricing on a couple of different things, and I got the price on a new one of these then too. At the time, I thought my passenger side one needed replacing, but it ended up being my crappy HID ballasts that was messing with it. Upgraded to Canbus ones and haven't had an issue on that side since.

Surprisingly, the bulb holder from the driver's side still works when putting it in the opposite side. Gonna end up replacing it on top of the wiring and connectors just to be safe though.

^yeah, I got mine from the dealership for $35. It might work initially, but that's not gonna prevent it from happening again. Sounds like you need one anyways.

Yes definitely have to tackle the other issues as well. I'm certain just buying a new bulb holder won't fix it being that tossing the passenger side one in the drivers side still didn't work. If I remember correctly, the price I got on the bulb holders was $17.88 each. Who knows though, the pricing I get depends on who's there when I go in lol. Gonna grab a new one just to be safe though.

Thanks again for the help Rory!

Subscribed just because its a Euro_Doll thread. Sorry don't have any advice to offer just trying to pick up a thing or two from this thread cos Euro_Doll got some serious wrenching skillz.

Hahah yes!!

I went to the store and picked up some wire and connectors this morning. Too sleepy to tackle it lastnight.

The fun begins today.