A6 dash lights / shifter lights

[jlandsverk at tds.net]

OK.  I finally got around to doing this over the weekend.  It was suprisingly easy!

This write-up refers to my '96 A6.

Instrument cluster removal is as simple as unscrewing 5 philips head screws.  2 at the base of the cluster on either side of the steering wheel.  The long black plastic trim piece slides out to the left.

Then, 3 more screws at the base of the instrument cluster.

If you have someone to help hold the cluster, you can maneuver it to remove 2 of the multi-wire connectors at the back.  One for the auto-check and one for the tach.  After that, it's easy to move the cluster around without stretching the other leads too far.  The only non-obvious 1/4 turn bulb on the display is the one that lights up the speedo at about the 30mph mark.  It is hidden behind the yellow connector for the ambient temp gauge.  Remove the 2 screws holding that connector to reveal the bulb.

I don't remember how many of the orange 1/4 turn bulbs are back there...9 maybe.

As for the ambient temp gauge, it looks like that should be fairly easy to replace as well.  You'll need a very small phillips head, probably a #1 to remove the display.  The yellow connect mentioned above is an easy disconnect.  I will experiment with replacing this as soon as I can find a cheap one.  Mine does not illuminate.

The other bulb I replaced was in the shifter console between the seats.  Use a flatblade to pry the wood trim up.  Start at the rear of the piece and pry from the inside edge.  The front of the piece is 2 tabs inserted into slots, so don't pry at the front.  After that, the black trim piece around the shifter will simply lift out.  On the left side of the shifter housing you'll see the light socket.  Pull the black socket out of the white housing.  The bulb is simply slid into the socket.  Replacements are $1 at the dealer.   This is a really good time to clean that black trim that resides around the shifter too.

I'm sure this is old news, so consider it "archive stuffing."

Thanks to those that helped out.

Joel L.

'99 A4 1.8tqm Avant
'96 A6 2.8q Avant (looking for cargo cover)


> 
> From: Kent McLean <kentmclean at mindspring.com>
> Date: 2004/11/18 Thu PM 06:59:54 CST
> To: jlandsverk at tds.net,  quattro list <quattro at audifans.com>
> Subject: Re: intro, dash lights
> 
> jlandsverk at tds.net wrote:
> > Do you know if the same true of the ambient temp gauge in the dash?
> 
> Sorry, I don't know.  When you remove the cluster, there are
> some lights on the left side (right side, facing the back of
> the cluster), that are hidden by a cover that needs to be
> removed.  I don't know if the temp gauge is one of them.
> 
> Removing the cluster is about a 30 minute job (the first
> time :-).   The difficult part is keeping track of the 10 or
> 12 wiring harness connectors that you need to remove.  Spend
> a quiet afternoon and explore the instrument cluster from
> the back.  Then post to the list what you've found.
> 
> Cheers,
> Kent
> '94 100 S Avant
> '89 200 TQ, "Bad Puppy"
> 
>