License plate light screw stripped.

[AUDIMAN33]

Well, as I've been reading this is a common problem. But this is the new issue, I've tried to drill them out with a screw extractor but the screw isn't deep enough to get a grip on. Is there any way of getting to it threw the trunk? I've got the Vert, so idk if its different from the 4 door. Idc about breaking the assembly. I'll buy the whole new set...

[AUDIMAN33]

plz help

[Chris@EPL]

If you crack the plastic clear light cover off you should be able to get some pliers on the screw head. Mine started to strip and I replaced them with some stainless screws and washers from home depot and has worked fine for a few years of taking them on and off. The key thing is to make sure that you have a good screwdriver that grabs enough and you have enough room to work around the plate and can apply pressure.

[BumblebVR6]

Common issue. I measured one of the screws when I removed it and bought some stainless torx head replacements from McMaster-Carr. Will be much easier to remove next time instead of the troublesome phillips head.

[Pswish]

JB weld and old screwdriver to the screw and back it out.

[leightonw]

I replaced one of mine with a stainless steel one, one bulb was burned out. I ended up removing the entire assembly out to get to screw better and replace bulb, assembled it back on car and both stopped working....pissed me off. A week later they magically started working.

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[MacFady]

I have an Avant so a little different but I just took the interior panel off and removed the whole soft touch assembly and lights. This will give you better access with your extractor if you want to just replace the screws. You will need to do the same thing anyway if you decide to replace the entire assembly. Hopefully this helps, can't imagine it's much different on a cabrio, but basically remove the warning triangle, then you remove the tapping screw (phillips) that hold the emergency release handle in place. There are 10 panel clips that hold the trim panel in place, pull with some force and work your way around. Be careful while at the same time being deliberate and forceful.







If you don't want to remove the panel and the extractor wont reach to work properly, may I suggest using a regular drill bit approximately the size of the screw head, drill off the head, this will let you pull off the light housing giving you more access to the remaining screw post which you can hopefully work free with plyers.

[MantanaB6]

JB weld and old screwdriver to the screw and back it out.

That is actually pretty genius. I just broke mine and bought a whole new license plate light assembly. Drilled the head of the screw off but couldn't unscrew the remaining bit with pliers or vice grips it was so seized. Was a bit more expensive... I did use some anti-seize on the new screws; suppose sourcing SS torx screw wouldn't be a bad idea also


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[AUDIMAN33]

Thank you guys for all the help, I'm gonna try and break it and then try and get it out. If that doesn't work I'll go threw the trunk. I'm gonna replace them with LED's so I won't have this problem again.

[Spike00513]

That is actually pretty genius. I just broke mine and bought a whole new license plate light assembly. Drilled the head of the screw off but couldn't unscrew the remaining bit with pliers or vice grips it was so seized. Was a bit more expensive... I did use some anti-seize on the new screws; suppose sourcing SS torx screw wouldn't be a bad idea also

So does he stand there for an hour while the JB-weld dries? Or maybe a something can be rigged up to hold it for you. I've actually never used JB-weld before.
I too put anti-sieze.

Mine never stripped though. Out of fear that it would, I got the best-fitting jewelers screwdriver I could possibly find, and put a lot of pressure on it with one hand while turning with the other. And luckily it worked. Might've installed spare screws that were in better shape. Might've been a good idea to order quality new ones, but these should come out the next time, if ever, whenever that is.
Yes, torx seems more foolproof than phillips.

Thank you guys for all the help, I'm gonna try and break it and then try and get it out. If that doesn't work I'll go threw the trunk. I'm gonna replace them with LED's so I won't have this problem again.

Audi has one OEM, FWIW. Only time I ever tried aftermarket LED bulbs is on my DRL and I've noticed them flickering sometimes lately. But those might get exposed to more heat.
I heard some years need the polarity switched.

[AUDIMAN33]

So does he stand there for an hour while the JB-weld dries? Or maybe a something can be rigged up to hold it for you. I've actually never used JB-weld before.
I too put anti-sieze.

Mine never stripped though. Out of fear that it would, I got the best-fitting jewelers screwdriver I could possibly find, and put a lot of pressure on it with one hand while turning with the other. And luckily it worked. Might've installed spare screws that were in better shape. Might've been a good idea to order quality new ones, but these should come out the next time, if ever, whenever that is.
Yes, torx seems more foolproof than phillips.



Audi has one OEM, FWIW. Only time I ever tried aftermarket LED bulbs is on my DRL and I've noticed them flickering sometimes lately. But those might get exposed to more heat.
I heard some years need the polarity switched.

I've never used the JB weld either, and an hour? I always replace every light with LED's, never had a real issue the only time I did was when I replaced them on the Benz, the city lights would flicker. If you change the polarity they wont turn on at all...

[Pswish]

I haven't JBWelded anything on my A4 but i did use it to mount curtain rod holders to brick for outdoor curtains and it has held for over 10 years.

[Seerlah]

JB weld and old screwdriver to the screw and back it out.

I like this little trick, myself.

[egovreau]

I have a newer B6, which had the plastic assembly. Which is also prone to melting and is what happened to mine. It's over $220 for a new one. Sourced the metal one from a junkyard, which siezed a screw, then found another metal one from a part out.

The moral of this story? Don't know there is one.

Sent from the 7th Galaxy.

[jquattro]

I hate those screws..... I have replaced mine with stainless socket head cap screws (allen head). They are so difficult to get out the first time I never wanted to have to do it again, so I changed them right away.

[mrdoofer04]

Had the same problem this summer. Had no luck prying the screw out with pliers or using a screw extractor. It was just too small of a screw and too corroded. As suggested above, the best move is the source a used one from a junkyard or go hunt one down from pick and pull. I have an avant as well, but I assume it's similar for both. You have to access from the inside by removing the trim panel and removing all the necessary hardware. Another tip is once you have completed the swap, upgrade the screws in order to prevent this in the future. These guys, "total technik", make awesome instructional YouTube videos on how to disassemble b6/b7 cars. Check it out: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=S-io_SuWlpY


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[AUDIMAN33]

Thanks again guys, your much more helpful than the B8 guys lol. Will update when I try and break it out. Should do as soon as the temp goes up a bit.

[GTA]

I had the same problem as you. I had a fix for the metal strip but unfortunately broke my strip while attempting the fix. Here's my DIY write up if you're interested:

http://www.audiforum.ca/a4-b6-typ-8e...w-broke-74052/

[AUDIMAN33]

I had the same problem as you. I had a fix for the metal strip but unfortunately broke my strip while attempting the fix. Here's my DIY write up if you're interested:

http://www.audiforum.ca/a4-b6-typ-8e...w-broke-74052/

Thats very helpful thanks man! Been to cold to work outside :/

[AUDIMAN33]

Anyone have the part number for the full license plate light part?

[JustManson]

JB weld and old screwdriver to the screw and back it out.

Yup!


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[Chemmie]

I hate those screws..... I have replaced mine with stainless socket head cap screws (allen head). They are so difficult to get out the first time I never wanted to have to do it again, so I changed them right away.

^This. The rear panel of the deck lid slopes outward where the license plate is mounted and makes the screws inaccessible using tools that require a drive concentric w/the screw axis. Change to capscrews and use ball-end Allen keys- one of the many instances where you do Audi's engineering for them.

[old guy]

Anyone have the part number for the full license plate light part?

This?

[Luxus Panzer]

I have these. They work great, no errors.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2Pcs...608.0.0.5XVuWa

[AUDIMAN33]

No I need the whole new strip.

[old guy]

No I need the whole new strip.

This? Clicky click®

[AUDIMAN33]

This? Clicky click®

Yup that's it but I want the one with the trunk handle, Idk if I can install the parts and how does it hook up? I saw they had one for like 200 something. Anyone know where to get one cheaper?

[old guy]

Clicky click®

[AUDIMAN33]

Clicky click®

Does that come with the trunk handle? And thank u so much!

[old guy]

Does that come with the trunk handle? And thank u so much!

No it does not but check this out: Clicky click®

[my1stturbo]

Anyone know what the best replacement screw might be for this that can be sourced locally? Have to change mine this weekend so might as well swap out the screws

[jquattro]

I just took one down to ACE Hardware and got the same size in stainless steel SHCS (allen head). Worked perfect, and they are easier to get back out too.