Chris Stubbings Posted August 20, 2009 Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 Hi Does anyone know how to change headlamp bulbs on a 2005 A8? Many thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wizbit Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 I'd be interested to know this as well. I had heard it was a bit of a nightmare to do, and after looking under the bonnet it does look nasty. Almost as if you need to slide the headlight unit out to change them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc R Posted October 25, 2009 Report Share Posted October 25, 2009 I did this: You'll need a bridge or jack stands to get the cars front up. After jacking the car up remove the front wheels and remove the inner wheel well ,after that you can see the back side of the headlights and simply remove the lights etc etc.... I've also tried to change the lights from the enginebay but that was horrible... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wizbit Posted October 26, 2009 Report Share Posted October 26, 2009 Are you serious? Is it that difficult to change a headlight bulb on a D3? I would love to know how much Audi charge for a headlight bulb replacement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc R Posted October 26, 2009 Report Share Posted October 26, 2009 I'm afraid so.......all in all when using a bridge it doesn't have to take too long...about a half an hour a side... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobley Posted April 30, 2011 Report Share Posted April 30, 2011 For the benefit of anyone else who stumbles across this thread when looking for advice on bulb changing... I just changed driver's side (right hand) sidelight bulb in my 2008 A8 4.2L (D3) and can report the following: Outside lamp units (main beam / dip) look tricky to get at without removing the wheelarch liner as suggested in this post and probably the air filter box as well. Inside lamp units (DRL / sidelights) you can get to just by removing the air filter box which gives access to a small hatch on the back of the lamp unit held in place by two clips. Air filter box is secured with 5 screws, including one that you need a really long screwdriver to get to. I used a Stanley Yankee extended and locked. Good news is that the screws remain captive in the housing after loosening, so no chance of them disappearing into the bowels of the engine compartment. The hatch is pretty small and the sidelight bulbholder is a tight push fit into the reflector, so a bit of a painful job to do! Bulb is a 501 capless wedge. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brisweeney Posted April 30, 2011 Report Share Posted April 30, 2011 No need at all to jack the car up and remove wheel arch linings. Side lights and full beam bulbs are gotten at by removing the air filter box on the drivers side, and on the passenger side by undoing 4 t30 hex screws and pulling the housing out about an inch t get your hand in past the power sterring reservoir to pop the back housing off. On the passenger side, it appears the dipped bulb can be changed this way too, I'm not sure on the drivers side as I had a local mechanic change them out for me the last time. I'll be tinkering next weekend with my led side lights again and can have a look if you like, and see if I can work out how to do the dips. Some pics and info on changing the side lights and full beams here Halogen Parking Light to LED SWAP (pic intensive) - AudiWorld Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBSEADESIGNER Posted February 22, 2013 Report Share Posted February 22, 2013 I'd be interested to know this as well. I had heard it was a bit of a nightmare to do, and after looking under the bonnet it does look nasty.Almost as if you need to slide the headlight unit out to change them? Well must say all the threads on A8 side light bulb replacements filled me with horror as I knew the day would come I needed to change a side light. It is very true the engine bay is very tightly packed and yes it not even possible to see behind the head lights....my A8 is a 2006 4.2 TDI and being twin turbo each side is an air-filter and the filter covers are a ABS plastic mouldings that form a top-hat over the filters and block all access to rear of lights both sides but this top hat comes off as it is held on by 5 cross headed screws but they are very deep down the side of this moulding, so you need a very long screwdriver.....these screws are self captive so you not lose them at the front is a moulded rubber duct but that stays in position and then this top hat removes vertically up....not much clearance any side but a little patience and its clear .......underneath is a filter....remove this and now you have total access to the rear of the main beam light where the side light bulb holder is now here was a nice surprise as under this is the power steering header tank which I had never located before.....to re-build is just the reverse....same proceedure for both sides but the power steering is under the near side and now for a joke as before this I phoned my local Audi dealer and he said sorry but to do this job the front bumper needs to come off will need your car for a complete morning ! ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted February 22, 2013 Report Share Posted February 22, 2013 Dude that was an impressive first post, this is what these forums are for, top quality posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapdragon Posted February 23, 2013 Report Share Posted February 23, 2013 Dude that was an impressive first post, this is what these forums are for, top quality posting. Last time, I did them from above by undoing headlamp bolts and pulling it forward 1". 1" doesn't sound much but was enough to allow my fingers to bend instead of just being useless and straight. I think there was two torx bolts at the rear low down with big washers. Maybe 2 out of 4 smaller ones on top too. My only advice if you are a perfectionist would be to mark the bolt position first or at least take 5 minutes at the start to see how the headlamp is aligned withing the aperture to the panels, as the bolts go into bigger holes so the lamp can go back slightly misaligned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pat27 Posted February 28, 2013 Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 18 months ago I took my D3 to Audi they originally quoted £90, but then decided that they had a fixed price of £20 for all Sidelight bulb changes ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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