80 Euro to change a car bulb!!!

Cartech

Hi all,

Car bulb (main driving bulb) 12V 55W H7 no longer working.

Purchased a replacement bulb a few days ago, but having great difficulty gaining access to rear of lighting unit.

To do it properly on an Audi a4, you apparently have to remove the front bumper to gain access to the lighting unit!

Phoned the Audi dealer I bought the car from last year and they quoted 'between 80 and 90' euro for labour, (Approx 30 mins).

80 euro to change a bulb!!!

Anybody have any better and cheaper ideas??

Thx

challengemaster

haynes manual and do it yourself

fuerte1976

challengemaster wrote: »

haynes manual and do it yourself

& mind that you dont set off the airbags

skyhighflyer

See this handy dandy pdf guide:

Big Nasty

This is one of the many reasons I'm sticking with pre' 02 cars. Seeing as I do pretty small mileage I may even go to driving a classic as a daily at some stage in the not too distant future.

tossy

OP what year A4?

Cartech

tossy wrote: »

OP what year A4?

2006 A4 .... Purchased June 2010.

I would refer to the "Owners manual", but over a year since buying the car from a main dealer, I'm still waiting on that....

Excuse after excuse they have, been told that it can take "a long time" to have a new manual printed. (The original owner didn't hand the manual into the dealership when he sold it to them.

15 months and still waiting... must be an antiquated printer...:D

johnos1984

How many miles had it on it when you bought it?

Ex uk?

kippy

I thought these cars were the best built cars in the world - jaysus so well built the bulbs are hard to access.

Removing the bumper to replace a bulb - surely that cant be correct?

Run_to_da_hills

On the A4 you can get access to the light unit if you cut a hole in the bumper big enough to get your hand through. A similar trick use to be done with changing the timing chain in the Renault 4 by cutting a hole in the bulkhead.

corkonion

kippy wrote: »

I thought these cars were the best built cars in the world - jaysus so well built the bulbs are hard to access.

Removing the bumper to replace a bulb - surely that cant be correct?

thats the way all car manafacturers operate now, make simple tasks impossible to do yourself so that the main dealer can screw you on bits 'n bobs

kippy

Jaysus, cutting holes in the car, isnt that for the manufacturers to do?
This thread has completely put my off an Audi A4!

delly

If you think thats bad, you should check out youtube and how to change a bulb on a megane II.

biko

New cars are just primadonnas with bulbous pieces of plastic stuck to them and computer ports in weird places. You have to be a German engineer to change the smallest little thing.

My next car will be a '80s Volvo tank held together with duct tape and willpower.

C.D.

To their credit, bulb change could not be easier on an 07 Volvo C30- one simple pin (no tools required) needs to come off, pull out the headlight, detach the connectors and away you go. Volvo still recommends only a main dealer to change Xenons though due to the "high voltage"..

tsoparno

delly wrote: »

If you think thats bad, you should check out youtube and how to change a bulb on a megane II.

f##king hell i came very close to buying one of those,thank god i avoided it

langdang

kippy wrote: »

Jaysus, cutting holes in the car, isnt that for the manufacturers to do?
This thread has completely put my off an Audi A4!

It's ok, you can fill the holes with chicken wire and tuck your tracksuit pants into your socks, instant horsepower* as well as making it easier to access bulbs

*DISCLAIMER - complete fib.

jraftery

those audis are a pain in the ass to change the bulbs in but persevere and save yourself the money;)

Cartech

C.D. wrote: »

To their credit, bulb change could not be easier on an 07 Volvo C30- one simple pin (no tools required) needs to come off, pull out the headlight, detach the connectors and away you go. Volvo still recommends only a main dealer to change Xenons though due to the "high voltage"..

I'll be doing more research when it's time to change the Audi..... seems as though other manufacturers don't make it so difficult and expensive to do minor repairs.

Thanks for all your ideas, and suggestions, altho I'll avoid the drillling a hole in the bumper option... :eek:

MarkR

Not sure if this is the same, they may be skipping some steps!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtzJNC2wI8o

aido76

I thought you are supposed to be able to change a blown bulb on the side of the road? Is it not the law? Fat chance Joe soap has of changing a bulb if it takes a main dealer 30mins to do it:(

Lex Luthor

delly wrote: »

If you think thats bad, you should check out youtube and how to change a bulb on a megane II.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXCZ2v-nIF4

jraftery

if ya think thats bad try changing the side light bulbs on the front of a 2007 7 series bumper off whata pain J.(Auto Electrical Concepts):D:D

Cartech

MarkR wrote: »

Not sure if this is the same, they may be skipping some steps!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtzJNC2wI8o

Yes, I had seen that yesterday, they already have the front bumper taken off at this stage which I believe is a big job in itself...


I've decided that if you drive an Audi, be prepared to only drive during daylight hours

tossy

OP Audi recommend bumper off for the B7 A4 but i believe you can do it without removing the bumper although it might require a bit of basic knowledge of a socket set

For the drivers side you simply remove the airbox - very easy.

For passenger side you need to remove the protective plastic covers then undo the brackets on the PS resivoir and possible coolant one also then you disconnect loom going to both bottles and move slightly,should leave you enough room to remove the bulb - its alot less head wrecking than removing a bumper as that is at the very least a 2 man job.

Cartech wrote: »

I've decided that if you drive an Audi, be prepared to only drive during daylight hours

Well at least that way everyone can see the look of smug satisfaction on your face that can only come from driving a rich mans passat

Sofiztikated

And the 02-05 Focus passenger side bulbs can be a tit to get at if you have larger than small womanly hands. Even with taking the battery cover off, it can be so awkward that headlamp out is the only way.

Lucky I have small womanly hands.

But there is a lot to be said for brute force, and pig ignorance.

Cookie_Monster

Sofiztikated wrote: »

But there is a lot to be said for brute force, and pig ignorance.

there's a lot to be said for proper useable design too

Mister Jingles

delly wrote: »

If you think thats bad, you should check out youtube and how to change a bulb on a megane II.

Worse again a Scenic :P

Lex Luthor wrote: »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXCZ2v-nIF4

Actually no, the Scenic is just a **** for fitting your hand through to get to the bulb. Never realised the Megane was that bad.

pippip

I changed mine on my 02 a4 earlier tonight, found out how to do it the first time one went and glad I did. Took me about 5 mins earlier. Does involve pulling out the whole headlight.

Cannot believe some of you saying it would put you off buying a car, that's just stupid

slimjimmc

delly wrote: »

If you think thats bad, you should check out youtube and how to change a bulb on a megane II.

Lex Luthor wrote: »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXCZ2v-nIF4

I knew someone was going to bring that myth up, LOL.
This is how it's really done which happens to be the way it was designed to be done.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=68390144&postcount=9

Nissan doctor

This is all just hyped up stuff. Are bulbs a bit more arkward on modern cars then old ones? On some, yes, but you never have to remove bumpers.

As someone said if you move a couple of minor and easily removable items out of the way on the A4 you can access the bulbs easily.

And everyone jumps in with the old megane II youtube video, a megane headlight bulb takes 2 mins to change, turn the wheel, remove the cover in the wheel arch and there is the back of the headlamp.

Of course these jobs are much easier for people who do it everyday but for a dealer to play on peoples misconceptions and charge €80 to change a bulb is laughable.

Esel

Nissan doctor wrote: »

...for a dealer to play on peoples misconceptions and charge €80 to change a bulb is laughable scandalous.

FYP

Run_to_da_hills

Esel wrote: »

but for a dealer to play on peoples misconceptions and charge €80 to change a bulb is scandalous.

€80 is about right.

The job involves four mechanics, IE one to hold the bulb and the other three to turn the car around.

Esel

^ Oi you! Don't be putting words in my mouth.

bmstuff

kippy wrote: »

I thought these cars were the best built cars in the world - jaysus so well built the bulbs are hard to access.

Removing the bumper to replace a bulb - surely that cant be correct?

Many newer cars have this new feature :mad: Renault etc, as already mentioned here have this too.
BMW have this too on the 7 if I am not mistaken.

Seems to be a new trend to get customers in walking dealerships...

That should be illegal seriously, in many countries you are obliged to carry spare bulbs with you and change them on spot as soon as they go. How on earth you are supposed to change a bulb on the motorway at 3am if you need to strip your car...That is just ridiculous

Blazer

buy in halfords and pay them the €3 to fit it :d
I do it everytime for my last car as it was a bitch to do...what took me 20 mins to do that guy did in 2

bmstuff

Sc@recrow wrote: »

buy in halfords and pay them the €3 to fit it :d
I do it everytime for my last car as it was a bitch to do...what took me 20 mins to do that guy did in 2

It is takes a Halfords guy to do this in 2mn, then I think you guys need to try harder...

Run_to_da_hills

Sc@recrow wrote: »

buy in halfords and pay them the €3 to fit it :d
I do it everytime for my last car as it was a bitch to do...what took me 20 mins to do that guy did in 2

Yeah, get Halfords to do it and then you will then need a bucket for all the screws and bits and pieces that they leave behind after doing the job.

tossy

Sc@recrow wrote: »

buy in halfords and pay them the €3 to fit it :d
I do it everytime for my last car as it was a bitch to do...what took me 20 mins to do that guy did in 2

I wouldn't let a halfords guy near my car to change a bulb especially if it required removing of the bumper or removing of engine components to gain access.

ger vallely

Don't go to Audi dealer. I get mine done here in Galway for literally a couple of quid. My mechanic drives an A4 as well. So I know mines in safe hands. Plus it takes him about 5-1o minutes.

seamus

Mister Jingles wrote: »

Actually no, the Scenic is just a **** for fitting your hand through to get to the bulb.

Yeah it's very awkward alright, but actually quite quick when you know what way to turn it. Also helps if the engine isn't hot, cos then you can get your head down there and get some kind of look. The first time took me about an hour and I even considered removing the entire light unit, but now I can do it in five minutes.
My old 206 by comparison was always a minimum of 30 minutes. The bulb was held in by a clip that came off effortlessly but wouldn't clip back in except with perseverance and blind luck. Blind being the operative word, the thing was completely out of sight.

xflyer

I had a double bulb failure on my Golf Mk3 at night. Got home on high beams by taping up the top of the headlights. Found it very fiddly to fit the new ones though. Not something I would want to try on the hard shoulder of a motorway at night in freezing rain.

But I recently failed my NCT for a cracked headlight and and a failed parking light. Replacing the headlight involves removing the bumper which is was no fun at all and took ages. But the real nightmare was trying to fit the new small bulb even with the headlight out of the car. I'm pretty good at stuff like that but I could see someone less handy giving up and getting a dealer to do it. €80 wouldn't surprise me at all.

keithclancy

Nissan doctor wrote: »

This is all just hyped up stuff. Are bulbs a bit more arkward on modern cars then old ones? On some, yes, but you never have to remove bumpers.

As someone said if you move a couple of minor and easily removable items out of the way on the A4 you can access the bulbs easily.

And everyone jumps in with the old megane II youtube video, a megane headlight bulb takes 2 mins to change, turn the wheel, remove the cover in the wheel arch and there is the back of the headlamp.

Of course these jobs are much easier for people who do it everyday but for a dealer to play on peoples misconceptions and charge €80 to change a bulb is laughable.

Yeah right :pac:



Dealer job or a whole load of hassle for yourself.

slimjimmc

bmstuff wrote: »

Many newer cars have this new feature :mad: Renault etc, as already mentioned here have this too.
BMW have this too on the 7 if I am not mistaken.

Seems to be a new trend to get customers in walking dealerships...

That should be illegal seriously, in many countries you are obliged to carry spare bulbs with you and change them on spot as soon as they go. How on earth you are supposed to change a bulb on the motorway at 3am if you need to strip your car...That is just ridiculous

It's EU & Irish law that bulbs must be replaceable without the use of tools except tools which are supplied with the car. Manufacturers wouldn't get type-approval to put their product on the roads of Europe otherwise so I bet there is a way to do it yourself without pulling the car apart. It doesn't have to be easy or comfortable though!

Discussed previously:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=71482241&postcount=34

Run_to_da_hills

slimjimmc wrote: »

It's EU & Irish law that bulbs must be replaceable without the use of tools except tools which are supplied with the car. Manufacturers wouldn't get type-approval to put their product on the roads of Europe otherwise so I bet there is a way to do it yourself without pulling the car apart. It doesn't have to be easy or comfortable though!

Discussed previously:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=71482241&postcount=34

In France its also law to carry a spare set of bulbs. They clamp down very heavy if you attempt to drive with one headlamp. It would be pointless to have this rule if you couldn't fit them yourself.

Nissan doctor

keithclancy wrote: »

Yeah right :pac:



Dealer job or a whole load of hassle for yourself.

Some people are just stupid....You can see the battery behind the removed headlight, How the hell could stripping the car like that be easier then removing the battery!:rolleyes:

flash1080

keithclancy wrote: »

Yeah right :pac:

http://doobya.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/polo-headlight-replacement.jpg

Dealer job or a whole load of hassle for yourself.

It's a 5 minute job on the pre-facelift mk4.