License Plate Light Screw is Stripped... Any ideas?

[bigsprm83]

So I upgraded to the Ziza led license plate lights from ECS. I got one on but when I tried to un-screw the other I ended up stripping the head of it out. Any ideas on fixing this besides breaking the plastic/glass covering?

[jonsaudi]

So I upgraded to the Ziza led license plate lights from ECS. I got one on but when I tried to un-screw the other I ended up stripping the head of it out. Any ideas on fixing this besides breaking the plastic/glass covering?

I had to break it cracked enought just so I can take the screw out with an extractor bit. I had to buy a new lamp assembly (with screw) to replace it..

[Monkey77]

I had the same problem. Ended up have to drill it out and get a new light housing. Sucks, but those screws are a pain in the ass once there stripped. good luck

[jstcalmebatman]

hey thats sucks man good luck. post some pics when ur done ive always wondered what they look like

[old guy]

I had the same thing happen. It is kinda hard to drill out because of the angle. I just took the whole assembly out from inside the trunk so I could get to it easier. The replacement lens/bulb holder comes with a new screw. Be sure to coat the new screw with Never-Seeze or similar so it doesn't happen again. The part number for the lens is 8E0 807 430 A. I picked one up from the dealer for under $10.

[bigsprm83]

Yea, thats kinda what i figured i would have to do. Thanks. I'll post some up when I get a chance/get it fixed.

[woofster]

This is a common problem. If you do a search you'll find out that quite a number of us have experienced this as well. I ended up drilling the old screws out, buying new assemblies for both sides and re-drilling my own holes and using better screws.

[sloweryucf]

I popped the head off when I was trying to drill it out. Any ideas on that?

[risc427]

I was able to pry out the plastic cover with a small screw driver. It was so corroded that it broke into pieces once I got it out. I then took a dremel and made a deeper, wider slit in the head of the screw to accommodate a larger flat head screw driver. I was able to get the screw out pretty easily after that.

I popped the head off when I was trying to drill it out. Any ideas on that?

As for this, is any of the screw still exposed? If so you *might* be able to get a pair of pliers in there to unscrew it. Otherwise you're probably going to have to drill the entire thing out. I'd be very careful doing this.

[pa4ul]

use needle nose and take ur sweet ass time. Also remove ur liscense plate!

[bmags88]

I had to drill a smally hole into the top ans used a small star bit and wedged it in the hole. Should give you enough grip to srew it out.

[davidlizard]

Convert it in a flat screw driver with a dremel

[Hotel Guy]

Post some pictures when you have them in - Also let us know if you have any bulb-out codes!

[jstcalmebatman]

I had to drill a smally hole into the top ans used a small star bit and wedged it in the hole. Should give you enough grip to srew it out.

looks sick how about a night pic, from close and far away? please

[pa4ul]

i got sum Leds from auto illumination. No codes no problems on the install only 14 bucks. i post sum pics today

[Matt C]

Here is a night shot with an iphone - they aren't so bright that they wash out the plate like in the pic, but they are bright

[sloweryucf]

As for this, is any of the screw still exposed? If so you *might* be able to get a pair of pliers in there to unscrew it. Otherwise you're probably going to have to drill the entire thing out. I'd be very careful doing this.

Only a hair of the screw is still exposed and can't get a good enough grip on it with my needle nose pliers. I was afraid I'd have to drill the whole thing out.

[pa4ul]

[a4cruiser]

Only a hair of the screw is still exposed and can't get a good enough grip on it with my needle nose pliers. I was afraid I'd have to drill the whole thing out.

I know this post is kind of old, but I am in the same place as you are. I had to drill the head of the screw off because I striped that cr@ppy screw they put in there. I got the lens off and now I am left with a little nub that I am not able to get ahold of with needle nose. Did you just end up drilling the whole thing out?

[skeeball]

BTDT, ended up replacing the entire lock housing and both lights and covers. Anti-seize is your friend.

[a4cruiser]

BTDT, ended up replacing the entire lock housing and both lights and covers. Anti-seize is your friend.

OH NO! how much did that run you? I am still hoping I can drill the screw all the way out.

[onceover]

i should probably invest in some of the ECS bulbs.

my 42dd ones are beginning to flicker and its bugging the crap out of me

[skeeball]

OH NO! how much did that run you? I am still hoping I can drill the screw all the way out.

It was $80 I think. It was a while back. I couldn't get my drill in because of angle and got tired of screwing with it.

[MaRsTaInAgE]

Did you get it from the dealer? I'm going to have to do the same thing, what a pain.

[skeeball]

8E0 827 574 C 3FZ

I'm about 90% sure that is the part number. I can't confirm it while I'm at work. I would order through GAP.

[a4cruiser]

This thing is PITA!!!! Striped both sides and they were sezed. Also the angle wouldn't allow for drill to deep. So... I just glued em abck into place.

[onceover]

ghetto

[a4cruiser]

ghetto

HAHAHAHAHAHA!1! Thats exactly what I said to myself when I did it! I am just going to have to replace the whole damn thing

[Turbo1A4]

wow thats ghetto...might want to replace it and antiseeze the new screws

[woofster]

I see the infamous curse of the stripped license plate light screws lingers...

I still can't believe what a crappy design they are.

[Dillon]

I still can't believe what a crappy design they are.

I can believe it lol

[audikid66]

i get a bulb out warning..wat can i do to get rid of that.

[a4cruiser]

i get a bulb out warning..wat can i do to get rid of that.

replace the bulb. lol

[vdubstreets]

you could remove the whole assembly to get at the stripped screwes easier.

[mlchael4]

It's fairly easy to remove this piece...just takes a little time & effort if you’re not too familiar. The part you need to remove is #9 on the diagram.
Diagram isn’t too specific, but gives you a general idea of the piece you are looking for.