B6 Tail Light Replacement

[WB650]

My driver one likes to sometimes not work then after driving a few min it starts working again, noticed tonight its actually dim compared to my passenger side. Also found out that the 2nd fog light setting turns on a 3rd tail light and one of them is out, I think my passenger side. I guess I should just replace all 4 bulbs. From the little info I could find for replacing them on the Avant I need a 10mm socket & extension?

EDIT: Put in better terms in Google and found better threads, so I guess I could use a regular Phillips to take it out or even an allen?

[masaraksh]

You have some of the lighting confused.

On the rear light assembly, going from bottom to top:
- Stop/Brake light (white bulb, red housing) - looks red and then gets brighter when you hit the brake pedal. Bulb actually has two filaments within one (fail every now and then. I've replaced two on the past 6mo)
- Reverse light - clear white bulb that lights up when you reverse
- Orange blinker - turn signal.
- Fog light.... you only have a fog light on your drivers side. Thats a european convention.


Oh yeah, and all you need is a phillips screwdriver & a trip to Autozone. They have the bulbs and a book where you can look up the bulb number for each type. Or you can probably find the bulb numbers online.

[BCsniper]

try cleaning out the the contacts where the bulbs screw in. I kept having issues a few years ago with getting random bulb-out warnings even after replacing the bulbs. I gave up and took it to the dealer and they came back and told me all the did was clean the contacts since there was a bunch of crap in there........it's worth a shot. Good luck man

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

^^ This. Worst case you might need a new bulb holder, we have them available below.

Click HERE to order or for more information


Jason

[WB650]

thanks for the help!

So when I turn my fog lights on and the knob is all the way out I'm supposed to only have 1 extra light at the top on the drivers side? If so, perfect.

What do I use to clean the contacts?

[a4audi4fun]

thanks for the help!

So when I turn my fog lights on and the knob is all the way out I'm supposed to only have 1 extra light at the top on the drivers side? If so, perfect.

What do I use to clean the contacts?

Use a small screwdriver and just scrape the metal contacts a little; places like Radio Shack also sell electrical contactv cleaner if you want to go down that route but the screwdriver should work fine.

[WB650]

Ok thanks

[WB650]

Ok, got it done today. Easy job, didn't even need to take the screw completely out. Bad news, the top of my tail light isn't sealed anymore so water is getting in, we just had rain the past few days and I dumped a good amount out of it. It's sitting at the bottom so the slot for that bulb is rusted. Should I call some junk yards and see if anybody has a B6 Avant tail light or do you think there is anyway to seal it back up? I did get pics of it, only the holder.

[a4audi4fun]

That's pretty corroded alright, and not just from a few days of rain. The water must have been there a while. You could try resealing things but probably worth trying to find a replacement, but don't know how much you'd really save by going to a junkyard vs buying via the link earlier in the thread. Should factor in cost of gas and time if getting from the junkyard vs cost of shipping for new.

Good luck

[WB650]

True, all junkyards where I live are on the other side of the Bay which also adds in $5 bridge toll. Think using iso alcohol with a screw driver would do a better job at cleaning the rust/corrosion?

Also, I bet there was water in there which is why my tail light looked dim but was working, now that the water is out and new bulb in its looking perfect. Rain is coming again in a couple of days. I guess until I get the problem solved I'll have to keep pouring out the water.

ECS, does the holder come with a brand new tail light if I were to order one? Not really looking forward to spending $300 on a tail light when I need that money for maintenance :(

[WB650]

Ok, got in the car to go out to dinner and none of my rear left lights were working except the turn signal. Left brake light, left tail light and left parking light all displaying. Changed brake bulb and same thing. Car sat for an hour at dinner, got back in and no problems. Drove to friends house, sat an hour got in and no issues. Drove up to SF and sat for 10 min then drove back and no issues. At this time I pull off the tail light to put the gasket sealant on it, put it back on now a few hours later to go home right now and the lights aren't working.

I ordered the holder earlier. The gasket sealant doesn't look too pretty on the tail light, but also its not noticeable unless you look for it so I'll deal as long as it protects the new holder which I hope is the reason for the lights giving me issues.

EDIT: ENDED UP JUST ORDERING A WHOLE NEW TAIL LIGHT WHICH INCLUDES THE HOLDER AND BULBS.

[p07503p]

Ok, got in the car to go out to dinner and none of my rear left lights were working except the turn signal. Left brake light, left tail light and left parking light all displaying. Changed brake bulb and same thing. Car sat for an hour at dinner, got back in and no problems. Drove to friends house, sat an hour got in and no issues. Drove up to SF and sat for 10 min then drove back and no issues. At this time I pull off the tail light to put the gasket sealant on it, put it back on now a few hours later to go home right now and the lights aren't working.

I ordered the holder earlier. The gasket sealant doesn't look too pretty on the tail light, but also its not noticeable unless you look for it so I'll deal as long as it protects the new holder which I hope is the reason for the lights giving me issues.

EDIT: ENDED UP JUST ORDERING A WHOLE NEW TAIL LIGHT WHICH INCLUDES THE HOLDER AND BULBS.

Having the same issue. Where did you get your tail lights from?

[fR3ZNO]

Necrobump. My drivers side bulb holder looks like this, but ten times worse. The contacts are so corroded, I can't remove the bulb.

Both tail lights seem to get moisture inside them after a car wash or rainfall.

Not sure if this related, but I get water dripping into the hatch cargo area even after replacing the third brake light. I tried spraying water on the third brake light area for a few minutes and didn't see any water leaking in. Anyone have suggestions?