2009 A4 tail light removal to install LED tails

[OmaHahn]

OK, so I've been searching the Internet forever and can't find an answer. I found a place in Germany that makes an aftermarket LED tail light assembly for 2009 A4. They sent me pics and they're cool, actually had 3 options and I bought the Red/Smoked LED tails. They said it won't throw code errors, etc. My main concern is how to remove the old tail lights on my 2009 A4. I've looked around the trunk and found my way to the trunk tails but not 100% sure how to remove and especially the tail light assembly on the rear quarters of the car. How sure should I be that I can actually go from an old style bulb lights to LEDs? And I need instructions to remove my lights. Thanks so much!

[sonofander]

As close as we are to a true OEM conversion.... So sad

[rlarsen]

Isn't it written how-to in your Owner's manual - it is in mine.

[jabicho]

it is indeed,Rene...we actually have a gadget in our tools set to help remove them as you have to take them out to change bulbs for instance

[OmaHahn]

I want your owner's manual! Mine says to take it to dealer just to change the light bulbs as you have the possibility of removing body parts just to get to the bulbs! Are you guys in Europe or ROW? There is absolutely no "How-To" in my manual except for changing tires - thats about it!

[neptunesfinest]

It's super easy. For the outers, there's a portion of the rear trunk liner that you can pull back to reveal a square nut. You can't see it but you can feel for it. The nut is the only thing holding the light in besides the electrical attachment. For the inners, peel back the trunk liner right there on the edge and just unscrew the one screw. Done.

[OmaHahn]

And this is for a 2009 A4? What tool do you use for this square nut? I've seen a black square thing sticking out and it has a hole going through it - do you just put a screwdriver or something through this hole and turn to loosen? And just one screw for the trunk/inners? wow!?

It's super easy. For the outers, there's a portion of the rear trunk liner that you can pull back to reveal a square nut. You can't see it but you can feel for it. The nut is the only thing holding the light in besides the electrical attachment. For the inners, peel back the trunk liner right there on the edge and just unscrew the one screw. Done.

[OmaHahn]

FYI - update! With the very valuable help from David at AudiEnthusiasts.com he told me the LED lights I bought will not work. Anyone in my situation with a 2009 A4 / B8 with the ugly Halogen-bulb style lights has to wait for a month or so. Europrice.com in California is actually testing an upgrade tail light set next week! Fingers crossed they work! Thanks everyone!!!

[rlarsen]

Audi A4 2008 Owner's Manual - tail light removal

[OmaHahn]

Rene! I luv you! I'm pretty mechanical with my cars, but worried about my Audi - it's my first "foreign," car I've owned! I was going to the dealership and have them do it for $51+ You saved me the hassle/headache of making an appointment, being without my car, spending $, etc! THANKS SO MUCH!!!!
Your new BBF in Omaha Nebraska!

Audi A4 2008 Owner's Manual - tail light removal

[rlarsen]

Rene! I luv you! I'm pretty mechanical with my cars, but worried about my Audi - it's my first "foreign," car I've owned! I was going to the dealership and have them do it for $51+ You saved me the hassle/headache of making an appointment, being without my car, spending $, etc! THANKS SO MUCH!!!!
Your new BBF in Omaha Nebraska!

Thanks

You should have a flat (thin) plastic tool in the car's tool kit, that you can put between the outer tail light housing and the car body, so you get some help when removing the tail.

[OmaHahn]

The one thing that this diagram doesn't show is actually removing the entire tail light on the "Inners / Trunk." Is it really just one screw that holds the entire Trunk light assembly in place?

[DavidB8]

Awwwww Rene has a new bff how cute

[OmaHahn]

Speak of the Devil - David!!

Awwwww Rene has a new bff how cute

[rlarsen]

The one thing that this diagram doesn't show is actually removing the entire tail light on the "Inners / Trunk." Is it really just one screw that holds the entire Trunk light assembly in place?

Yes, one screw - and then you need to "fold" the tail off the edge (inner up and off the edge) - hope you can follow me

[Greg Nelson]

There is absolutely no "How-To" in my manual except for changing tires - thats about it!

This is true re the B8 NA manual - nada re How To stuff. Recall there was in my B5 manual.
The B8 ROW manual has it all
Cheers

[neptunesfinest]

And this is for a 2009 A4? What tool do you use for this square nut? I've seen a black square thing sticking out and it has a hole going through it - do you just put a screwdriver or something through this hole and turn to loosen? And just one screw for the trunk/inners? wow!?

Just loosen it with your hand. It's a little snug but I didn't use any tools for the outers. You'll need some pliers or a wrench for the inners though.

[coolwater]

FYI - update! With the very valuable help from David at AudiEnthusiasts.com he told me the LED lights I bought will not work. Anyone in my situation with a 2009 A4 / B8 with the ugly Halogen-bulb style lights has to wait for a month or so. Europrice.com in California is actually testing an upgrade tail light set next week! Fingers crossed they work! Thanks everyone!!!

Were these the ones you bought? The dectanes?
http://www.motor-talk.de/bilder/led-...203795239.html

-cW

[OmaHahn]

No I bought them from www.TMtuning.com They are a Smoked/Red lens and the pics are so cool - but the guy I've been talking to says they just plug in (plug & play) with no wiring harness. Well, these are from Berlin Germany and asume they are made for the ROW Audi cars and NOT the North American - our cars wiring is completely different and needs a wiring harness/conversion kit.

Were these the ones you bought? The dectanes?
http://www.motor-talk.de/bilder/led-...203795239.html

-cW

[Pared]

Ha this thread is extremely confusing.

First the OP mentions he has an '09.

Then RL posts a link to the 08 manual.

OP is happy for the link.

Then mentions his rear lights are from TMTuning which does not have anything on their site on a B8 that I can find.

Geez... :)

[OmaHahn]

Um, not confusing at all! The '08 manual was very helpful - same light setup, etc - I looked at my lights and the same thing applies! I found the one screw for the trunk lights and the one screw or bolt/nut for the outters! As far as TM Tuning - it's a special order item and not listed on the site. CS sent me an email with pictures of 3 different styles. Pretty sweet if you live outside of NA! They have these red/smoke LED tails.

Ha this thread is extremely confusing.

First the OP mentions he has an '09.

Then RL posts a link to the 08 manual.

OP is happy for the link.

Then mentions his rear lights are from TMTuning which does not have anything on their site on a B8 that I can find.

Geez... :)

[rlarsen]

Ha this thread is extremely confusing.

First the OP mentions he has an '09.

Then RL posts a link to the 08 manual.

OP is happy for the link.

Then mentions his rear lights are from TMTuning which does not have anything on their site on a B8 that I can find.

Geez... :)

MY2008 in RoW is a B8 model platform - the same platform as MY2011

MY2008 in NA is a B7 model platform - AFAIK

The manual I posted a link to is a RoW MY2008 - therefore it is for the B8 model platform.

[OmaHahn]

MY2008 in RoW is a B8 model platform - the same platform as MY2011

MY2008 in NA is a B7 model platform - AFAIK

The manual I posted a link to is a RoW MY2008 - therefore it is for the B8 model platform.

Wow - some people huh Rene!? Talk about embarrassing your self in front of so many people! If you don't know WTF you're talking about, keep your mouth shut. Thanks again Rene for all your help!

[rlarsen]

Wow - some people huh Rene!? Talk about embarrassing your self in front of so many people! If you don't know WTF you're talking about, keep your mouth shut. Thanks again Rene for all your help!

Glad I could help

[Pared]

Wow - some people huh Rene!? Talk about embarrassing your self in front of so many people! If you don't know WTF you're talking about, keep your mouth shut. Thanks again Rene for all your help!

This comment was completely unnecessary. But it simply speaks volumes about you.

Thanks for the clar, Rene. Thanks for nothing, OP.

[surfer]

Has anyone bought and use these. It says that it a plug and play install.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DEPO-NO-ERRO...rts_Accessorie
s&vxp=mtr#ht_5222wt_952

[basamx]

This thread just hits a freaking dead end!

OmaHahn, did you get the lights installed on your 2009 B8, if so, were they indeed Plug and Play or did you have to do anything else? Did you take any pictures?

[nikonian83]

Audi A4 2008 Owner's Manual - tail light removal

Rene, this is a very useful link. Do you happen to have a link to the "Index" so we can have access to all the other useful how-to's?

[rlarsen]

Rene, this is a very useful link. Do you happen to have a link to the "Index" so we can have access to all the other useful how-to's?

You can get (download) the whole Owner's Manual here: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-Owners-Manual

[lilmikcali]

Um, not confusing at all! The '08 manual was very helpful - same light setup, etc - I looked at my lights and the same thing applies! I found the one screw for the trunk lights and the one screw or bolt/nut for the outters! As far as TM Tuning - it's a special order item and not listed on the site. CS sent me an email with pictures of 3 different styles. Pretty sweet if you live outside of NA! They have these red/smoke LED tails.

Hey, will you please post the three pics you got in email, I'd love to see... Also, did you get the wiring harness/adapter situated, did you have to buy that separately? AND, how much for everything?

[nikonian83]

You can get (download) the whole Owner's Manual here: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-Owners-Manual

Awesome. This will be very useful. I'm taking delivery of my '12 A4 three weeks from today and this will be a fantastic reference.