European Tail-light install
Yellow indicators...
I don't know why Audi decided to make their US models have RED turn-signal
indicators, but I think it's silly. I really like yellow/amber turn signals,
and so I opted to install the European version of the S4 tail-lights! As an
added bonus, I now have DUAL REAR FOG LIGHTS ;-) (not that I ever use my
fogs..)
Starting out...
Here are the boxes the tail-lights came in... pretty boring :)
PARTS:
TOOLS:
The Operation...
Here we have the driver's-side and passenger's-side parts of the trunk that
will be operated on. open the "access panel" on the driver's side, and
remove the toolkit. Remove all junk from the passenger's side "cubby hole".
Now, you need to remove the black discs that hold the cloth on (and cover up
the ends of the screws. Technically you should unscrew them, and you can do
this by using a pliers like so. Optionally you can pry/pop them off using a
flathead screwdriver (easier if you take 2 flathead drivers, and pry from
both sides at the same time). I tried both, and using the pliers will tend
to shred the outside edge of the plastic pieces if you are not REALLY
careful.
Here is the passenger's side after removing the black discs. Now, use the
8mm socket and unscrew the 4 bolts (one in each corner, basically),
disconnect the power plug, and you'll be left with:
This. :) Yes, majorly dirty. Don't worry, I cleaned it off before putting
the new light in :)
Here are the stock (LEFT SIDE) and euro (RIGHT SIDE) passengers side tail
lights :) Unfortunately, my digicam is weak in the reds, so there is not
much visible difference -- you can actually tell the euro lights are a LITTLE
more orange than the stock ones... but only when comparing them side-by-side.
Anyway, notice the body-colored piece of plastic on the bottom of the old
light? Well, we need to transfer it to the new light. :)
It's pretty simple:
Simply pop out the piece, prying the tabs from the backside as seen on the
right. It's easiest if you work from the INSIDE (less curved) towards the
outside (curved) part. Especially since you will encounter:
Some sticky glue-like stuff on the outside edge. Peel this off SLOWLY and
coax it to stay on the body-colored piece w/ a flathead if you need to.
Notice these two screw-posts. The one on the left is the original one, the
right-hand one is the euro one. Why they are different in length, I don't
know. But you might want to replace the two posts on the passenger's side
on the inside (which the black disc screws/pops onto), and the one post on
the driver's side, as well.
Actually, I left the passenger's side posts the same (short), but the
driver's side really needed to be swapped. Use the 13mm socket for this -
altho a 1/2" socket seems to fit as well (but very tightly) if you need a
deep-socket socket.
Like I said before, my camera is not the best at capturing the red versus
yellow, but if you look hard you can tell the pic on the right is "yellow"
and the pic on the left is "red" :-)
Anyway, lather, rinse, repeat for the driver's side - just take your time,
and you'll probably need to find a 4" extention for your socket wrench so you
can get the upper "inner" nut off... the lower "inner" nut is a little hard
to get off since the carpeting is in the way, but just TAKE YOUR TIME and
don't drop anything (!).
Which goes for the whole ordeal -- TAKE YOUR TIME... if you drop a nut, you
will probably be sorry!
All done...
I took a bunch of pics of different light combos (flashers, flashers+fogs
(DUAL FOGS!!), brakes+flashers, etc...) you can
CLICK HERE FOR MORE PICS!!
A HUGE thanks to Josh Decker <JoshD@s4.org> for hooking me (and others) up with these parts!!! Please contact him for more info.