Auto headlight conversion with coming home/ leaving home lights
- Thread starter Birchall
- Start date
Birchall
Dick Chown Award 2016
Same for me
Plus my version doesn't allow to use the foglights instead of the headlights for the coming home.
So Steve, please count me in, if the delivery to Belgium doesn't cancel the group buying saving...
Cheers,
Fabrice
Hi Fabrice,
I am sure we can find a reasonably priced, reliable delivery option.
Steve B
Tobecomecarrion
Member
Hi, Steve
Fantastic value mod, that makes an A2 better.
Please count me in for one of these switches when they arrive.
Thank you
Joey
Fantastic value mod, that makes an A2 better.
Please count me in for one of these switches when they arrive.
Thank you
Joey
Birchall
Dick Chown Award 2016
Hi,
While they are on the way I will post basic fitting instructions (some people bought theirs directly and so I am posting this early
NOTE
This is just for those people who want the simplest installation with no trimming or making holes for the new icon ring.
These instructions will get you up and running but the icons around the headlamp switch will be one step out (because there is no "Auto" icon on the A2 switch surround. But all it means is that to leave the car in "Auto" mode you just have to turn the switch to the sidelight position (straight up / 12 O'clock position).
You then just leave it at this position and never need to touch it or even look at it, so to me that is no problem.
If you want to install the new icon ring there is some delicate cutting involved, and I "don't do" delicate (if you know what I mean)
So the first step is to remove the old headlamp switch
To do this you turn the switch clockwise while pushing in, you will feel the switch move in a little.
This releases the catches that hold the switch and surround in place.
You can then just pull outwards and the whole unit comes out of the dash (but it can seem a bit tricky to keep pushing in while pulling it out !!! But it does come out without and problems)
Unplug the big connector on the back of the switch (you can see the openings in the side where the locating lugs are in this picture showing the plug removed)
Now you need to remove the actual headlamp switch from the fascia.
This needs a delicate touch. The switch is held in four places by very delicate tabs
You can see one here (at the very bottom of the black switch body, where the white plastic starts)
You need to GENTLY insert a very thin screwdriver blade or similar) into the centre of that catch
and just ease it out enough to allow the main switch to ease out a little. Then repeat this with the other three catches. But don't force it out too much or the delicate plastic will break/split. (I quite often manage to split a couple but the way that the fascia is mounted means that the switch is still secure)
I normally release the first one slightly so that the switch moves slightly inward past the retaining catch then, while I am keeping the pressure on I release the next catch. When you have two released it starts to come out easily, release the third one (the fourth is not easy to get out but the switch will release without touching that.
The switch will now be loose but not free of the fascia. It looks like it won't come out of the fascia because the switch "arm" is longer than the hole in the fascia. But the trick is to hold the switch and turn it to the headlight on position and pull out (as you would to turn the fog lights on. That JUST gives you enough to get the switch out, but it is TIGHT (but it DOES come out) Try Pushing on the switch "arm" on the short end (not the end that overlaps the hole) and it just clears and will fall out. Put the old switch somewhere safe because you might want to revert to standard if you sell the car.
Fitting the new one is a reversal of this BUT it is even tighter, so you MUST remove the chrome trim from the new switch to give you enough room to get the switch through the hole in the fascia.
To remove the chrome trim you need a slim knife or thin screwdriver etc. and you prise it apart at the open ends (the trim is like a "U" shape and you need to open up the arms of that "U" to disconnect the catches. It takes quite a bit of pressure to get one side of the U to pop out, so be careful not to break it, but as long as you don't put too much force into it you should be fine. Once you have done one side of the "U" you can do the other and then slide it off the switch (being careful not to open up the "U" too much).
You will now have to press the new switch arm through the hole in the fascia and as I say, it is a tight fit but it does go through Pull it to the "out" position (fogs) again, to make it easier to go through.
Once it is through you just turn the whole switch so that it lines up with the catches (an line up the flat portion of the switch with the flat portion of the fascia, gently pushing it in and the catches should then click into place. Now you can relax because you have done all of the hard work.
Uncoil the lignt sensor wire and slide it through the round tube in the dash that the switch slots into and make sure you can grab hold of the sensor and feed it through to the side trim of the driver's door. feed it through the side of the dash panel and pull off a portion of the door seal on the A pillar. you can then feed the wire up to the top of the A pillar pointing the sensor forwards and stick it into position. There are other places you could feed the sensor too, but this way needs no parts to be removed.
Reconnect the main plug in the back of the new switch and then slide the complete unit into the dash (pushing the centre of the switch In and turn to the right to release the catches) when it is fully home you can then turn the switch to the "OFF position and tidy up the door seal and sensor wire so that everything is hidden.
The instructions that are supplied with the switch show you the various switch positions you can turn to in set sequences to change any basic settings, but I just switched the lights off waited a few seconds and then moved the switch to the first position (sidelights) and everything worked as I wanted it to.
If you then want to change any settings refer to the instructions in the pack.
Can a Moderation please put a link on the "How To" Index section to this post please?
Thanks
Steve B
While they are on the way I will post basic fitting instructions (some people bought theirs directly and so I am posting this early
NOTE
This is just for those people who want the simplest installation with no trimming or making holes for the new icon ring.
These instructions will get you up and running but the icons around the headlamp switch will be one step out (because there is no "Auto" icon on the A2 switch surround. But all it means is that to leave the car in "Auto" mode you just have to turn the switch to the sidelight position (straight up / 12 O'clock position).
You then just leave it at this position and never need to touch it or even look at it, so to me that is no problem.
If you want to install the new icon ring there is some delicate cutting involved, and I "don't do" delicate (if you know what I mean)
So the first step is to remove the old headlamp switch
To do this you turn the switch clockwise while pushing in, you will feel the switch move in a little.
This releases the catches that hold the switch and surround in place.
You can then just pull outwards and the whole unit comes out of the dash (but it can seem a bit tricky to keep pushing in while pulling it out !!! But it does come out without and problems)
Unplug the big connector on the back of the switch (you can see the openings in the side where the locating lugs are in this picture showing the plug removed)
Now you need to remove the actual headlamp switch from the fascia.
This needs a delicate touch. The switch is held in four places by very delicate tabs
You can see one here (at the very bottom of the black switch body, where the white plastic starts)
You need to GENTLY insert a very thin screwdriver blade or similar) into the centre of that catch
and just ease it out enough to allow the main switch to ease out a little. Then repeat this with the other three catches. But don't force it out too much or the delicate plastic will break/split. (I quite often manage to split a couple but the way that the fascia is mounted means that the switch is still secure)
I normally release the first one slightly so that the switch moves slightly inward past the retaining catch then, while I am keeping the pressure on I release the next catch. When you have two released it starts to come out easily, release the third one (the fourth is not easy to get out but the switch will release without touching that.
The switch will now be loose but not free of the fascia. It looks like it won't come out of the fascia because the switch "arm" is longer than the hole in the fascia. But the trick is to hold the switch and turn it to the headlight on position and pull out (as you would to turn the fog lights on. That JUST gives you enough to get the switch out, but it is TIGHT (but it DOES come out) Try Pushing on the switch "arm" on the short end (not the end that overlaps the hole) and it just clears and will fall out. Put the old switch somewhere safe because you might want to revert to standard if you sell the car.
Fitting the new one is a reversal of this BUT it is even tighter, so you MUST remove the chrome trim from the new switch to give you enough room to get the switch through the hole in the fascia.
To remove the chrome trim you need a slim knife or thin screwdriver etc. and you prise it apart at the open ends (the trim is like a "U" shape and you need to open up the arms of that "U" to disconnect the catches. It takes quite a bit of pressure to get one side of the U to pop out, so be careful not to break it, but as long as you don't put too much force into it you should be fine. Once you have done one side of the "U" you can do the other and then slide it off the switch (being careful not to open up the "U" too much).
You will now have to press the new switch arm through the hole in the fascia and as I say, it is a tight fit but it does go through Pull it to the "out" position (fogs) again, to make it easier to go through.
Once it is through you just turn the whole switch so that it lines up with the catches (an line up the flat portion of the switch with the flat portion of the fascia, gently pushing it in and the catches should then click into place. Now you can relax because you have done all of the hard work.
Uncoil the lignt sensor wire and slide it through the round tube in the dash that the switch slots into and make sure you can grab hold of the sensor and feed it through to the side trim of the driver's door. feed it through the side of the dash panel and pull off a portion of the door seal on the A pillar. you can then feed the wire up to the top of the A pillar pointing the sensor forwards and stick it into position. There are other places you could feed the sensor too, but this way needs no parts to be removed.
Reconnect the main plug in the back of the new switch and then slide the complete unit into the dash (pushing the centre of the switch In and turn to the right to release the catches) when it is fully home you can then turn the switch to the "OFF position and tidy up the door seal and sensor wire so that everything is hidden.
The instructions that are supplied with the switch show you the various switch positions you can turn to in set sequences to change any basic settings, but I just switched the lights off waited a few seconds and then moved the switch to the first position (sidelights) and everything worked as I wanted it to.
If you then want to change any settings refer to the instructions in the pack.
Can a Moderation please put a link on the "How To" Index section to this post please?
Thanks
Steve B
Last edited:
Mark Reilly
Active Member
hi steve add me to the list please
cheers mark
Pras
A2OC Donor
Many Thanks for the instructions Birchall.
I ended up using a dremel as I quite like the new symbols on the ring.
Also the soft touch on my existing switch was already pretty bad....
It looks pretty good, not perfect as I have no patience and slipped a few times with the dremel
Will take some pics tomorrow. As for functionality it works perfect.
I ended up using a dremel as I quite like the new symbols on the ring.
Also the soft touch on my existing switch was already pretty bad....
It looks pretty good, not perfect as I have no patience and slipped a few times with the dremel
Will take some pics tomorrow. As for functionality it works perfect.
Birchall
Dick Chown Award 2016
Not a bad attempt a bit of tidying up and it would look OEM.Here is mine fitted after the dremel incident
Dont forget that that you can buy the soft touch paint from Audi dealers.
See this thread for details http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread...ft+touch+paint
Another way of doing it without cutting would be to remove the new icon ring from the new switch, use a dremil to grind down all of the raised parts of the ring, just leaving a flat ring.
Then glue this over the existing icons. (After Drilling holes where the new icons are (so they illuminate properly).
That way you don't have to be precise over the cutting of a large hole in your fascia.
I will try it shortly to see if it will work, it should do?
But you have done a good job of your method.
Mike (A2Sumo) used a chrome ring to tidy up the edges of the hole and it looks great.
Steve B
Last edited:
Pinkythelabrat
A2OC Donor
I think mike must have used the chrome ring light surround for a mk4 golf. £5 on eBay. 
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
fbi
Member
Steve,
No need to drill holes under the icons. Just peel off the paint so that the light can come through the translucent plastic.
I went this route, the result is OK, but maybe not better than what Pras achieved...
The problem is that the A2 light switch trim is not flat. So gluing a flat icon ring on it leaves a gap from a side view.
Pras, do you have pictures from the rear of the assembly ?
Can you explain how you did it ?
Cheers,
Fabrice
fbi
Member
I think mike must have used the chrome ring light surround for a mk4 golf. £5 on eBay.
Correct ? Is that the ring for Mk4 or Mk5 golf that suits the switch ?