Number plate lights

simufly

A2OC Donor
United-Kingdom
Noticed one was out this morning, ok phillips driver out, spot of plus gas as heads appeared a biit rusty. Leave for a bit then as the Haynes manual says "remove and replace" Sad thing is both screws turned off mid shaft so I have the lens and guts but not the body.
Whats the best way to proceed!
 
If you are saying that the screws have rounded off Simon, you will need to remove the rear tailgate panel to get the holders out to correct this.

 
Experienced something similar myself recently. Can you grip the remains with pointed nose or small mole grips? If not this is what I did.
Plenty of Plus Gas and a range of bits later still not budged. I drilled the heads, but used a smaller drill and went into the screw by about 7mm. I then used a Torx bit in my drill and with slight sideways pressure they came out with the drill in reverse. No dismantling of the tailgate required....
This is assuming you only want to replace the bulbs or clear lens. If you want to change the whole assembly then I am afraid you will have to take the tailgate apart.
 
Worsr case scenario I have a pair of number plate lens rears without snapped screws in.
But you'd need to remove the inner panel to swap out the knackered ones.
 
Ok got a new unit but how does the old one come out? The workshop manual useless. All it says is remove bulb carrier from tailgate. Ok but how Audi?
 
I am sure someone will come along shortly and explain in more detail Simon. It basically involves tugging off the interior boot fabric cover and sliding off the whole rear number plate panel. Not a job for the faint hearted I,m afraid. I've only watched it been done once a while back by an expert and even they had a spare clip kit ready for when the ones broke on the boot panel.
 
Ok got a new unit but how does the old one come out? The workshop manual useless. All it says is remove bulb carrier from tailgate. Ok but how Audi?

The forum is awash with threads covering this issue (just use Google). Here's a thread that might be of interest:

Assuming you need to remove the interior trim from the tailgate, this thread will get you started:
 
On my A2 there was the same trouble; lens screws broken off and held in place by gaffa tape......... Not how I liked it.

Took out the soldering iron with a small tip, gentle pushed the tip along the broken screw and melted the plastics around it. If it's cleared along the screw enough you can manage to wiggle it out of the hole.

Now, the hole will be BIG now. Take again your steaming hot soldering tip, and melt/model the plastic/hole to a smaller diameter.
Too small is not a problem, take a suitable sized drill and make it the size you need.
Install some inox screws with some grease, and happy days!
 
Old thread but there's not much out there lately. Just wanted to share the updated part no, it's 8z0943021 (not 8z0943013). They're discontinued by the way... Cheers
 
iv just replaced my number plate light housing and it seems one of the previous owners had already taken the boot panel off as there were already a number of broken clips.
there were also no screws behind the number plate to hold the panel on?
any one know what size these screws would be please?
cheers
drew
 

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I bought some from Crewe Audi, including the sticky pads, for very little money. The old ones sometimes need a dremel to cut them out so it's no surprise they are missing 👍
 
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Just to clarify....there are no screws behind the number plate which secure the rear panel. The two small screws, which hold it in place, are accessible from the inside of the panel next to the top of the number plate lights. There are also a couple of sticky pads to help secure. I think your photo shows an old number plate screw hole but happy to be corrected.
 
Just to clarify....there are no screws behind the number plate which secure the rear panel. The two small screws, which hold it in place, are accessible from the inside of the panel next to the top of the number plate lights. There are also a couple of sticky pads to help secure. I think your photo shows an old number plate screw hole but happy to be corrected.
that makes sense.

because all 3 of my bottom clips have snapped, my lower panel is now only held in by the 4 clips at the top, and the 2 screws you mention.

ill try and get some (probably) m4 screws to go through these holes and add some double sided sticky foam to hold the bottom of the panel on as its currently a bit 'flappy' :oops:
 
I do not think you need to do as complicated as in video. You can replace the sockets while the number plate bracket is still in place. So you only need to remove the inner black cover.
 
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