HOW TO: Audi 2007 A8/S8 (D3) LED rear tail light repair

Problems with the internal LED lights going faulty.
These go bad over time and leave dark spots in the cluster or in some cases they all blow and none of them light up.
This video shows how to open the lights, identify and replace the faulty LEDs .
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KZbin: / anttec1
Instagram: / antandtec
TikTok: / ant_and_tectok

[@marryyano1]

I am happy that exists people like you!!!!!!!!💪👍👍👍👍🥰

[@simonsparrow2452]

Thanks, helped me to fix my faulty indicator at the rear after watching this.

[@jockewing6348]

Excellent vid

[@Shahzeel98]

Very helpful

[@RudimpexBulgaria]

Thank you !!

[@mitkopop-manov6732]

This is 3mm oder 5 mm led dioden and how much voltage is? Thanks

[@jackofallmasterofone8940]

Great Video...

[@bardh7944]

Is there a circuit board layout anywhere with polarity that you know of? I had some burnt LED's and changed them all (inner tail light). Now no light at all. Googled a lot, but nobody mention anything about polarity on the PCB. Would appriciate any hints. Great video bytheway

[@glenno402]

Hi Ant, Great Video, where did you connect that link wire previously? I have a problem with my indicators not working and thought I had found a dry joint tested but when driving after repair lights don't work again. Any help would be great.

[@ANTandTEC]

I don't have photos I can show you and I don't have that car anymore. However I doubt yours will have failed at exactly the same place. Mine had some corrosion and one of the vias had failed to make contact through the board. The six leads you see is the input connector, you will need to follow the tracks from these to check for breaks. If you see any corrosion on the board then that's a likely place.

[@djd-boy2418]

Does 300-400mcd will work ? What if the 5mm led is high intensity (they only sell average in 5000mcd on my local store, i’m from Canada) will it work ? If not i will order online but it will take time. Thank you for the video, can’t wait to fix mine!

[@ANTandTEC]

I do not know the exact spec of the OEM parts, I do know that around 500mcd seem to be the best match from what I can tell. So long as you replace all the LEDs in that cluster with the same type, then it will work with a different intensity LED but it will look different to the other clusters. 5000mcd will probably require a higher forward current to achieve that brightness, however I suspect that the control circuit will current limit and so you may find the brightness not that different when installed. Test the ones you have and see how it looks 👍

[@zedthirteen]

I took all 4 light lamp units off the rear of my 2003 A8 D3 at the weekend and only 1 of them (looks newer than the other 3) had 2 pin LEDs like the straw hat LEDs you use. The other 3 lamp units had 4 PIN LEDs and I have no idea where to source them. Fortunately, all of the 4 pin LEDs were working. Of the lamp unit that had the 2 pin LEDs, I found 2 of them were very dim in comparison so just swapped those 2 LEDs and now all of a similar brightness. Are you aware of the 4 pin LEDs and a source for them?

[@ANTandTEC]

Sounds like you have some clusters from the face lift version of the D3. These have surface mounted LEDs. They are smaller, square and will have two or 4 pins depending upon the type. I've not opened one before, and so do not know the specification of these. I am glad to hear the video helped you fix the other one 🙂

[@matthewupward4303]

Hey, I just tackled this on mine. I've just realised that both off side clusters (in which I replaced all the leds) now only come on as "full beam" as it were, like when the brake pedal is depressed. The other side, has dim for sode light, then bright for brakes. Any idea what's going on? Thanks in advance, great video.

[@ANTandTEC]

Hello, I can't say for sure without seeing them, but I would guess that the problem lies with the main board in the light clusters. There is an IC on the board that dims the LEDs using PWM (pulse width modulation) which basically flashes them on and off very quickly giving the effect of reduced brightness. I would check the board for any corrosion, especially around the pins of the ICs. You can clean any light corrosion off with some isopropyl alcohol. Failing this, it would require a more in depth circuit troubleshooting. You could isolate exactly which board is the faulty one by connecting the ones from the other side and testing, they are electrically the same but they are not interchangeable as they are shaped to fit each side. Hope this helps.

[@matthewupward4303]

@@ANTandTEC thanks for that!! I was super pleased that I'd "fixed" them for a fraction of the cost of even second hand units. There wasn't much corrosion anyway but I cleaned it up. Is there anything I could look for with a multimeter with respect to different voltages going through the boards? I'll try and trouble shoot with the units on the other side (which are original and fully functional) to see what happens. Really appreciate you getting back to me on this! PS the 4.2 diesel with a remap is pretty potent and might give your S8 a run for its money!!

[@fukbublifuk7546]

!!! Hi, I want to ask, are the same LEDs in the interior lights as in the exterior rear lights?

[@ANTandTEC]

If you mean the inner rear light clusters, the ones attached to the boot lid, then yes they are the same LED type in those.

[@mickedge5242]

Is there a voltage rating on the straw hat i have tried 2 different types to no effect cant get them to light up

[@ANTandTEC]

No. They will all be very similar voltage. Close enough no to matter. Maybe there is a fault on the logic board. Or maybe you have fitted one or more the wrong way around. They are diodes so operate one way around only.

[@mickedge5242]

@@ANTandTEC thanks i will try again.

[@user-pu7ey5vb8e]

Hi, I have a problem with my 2005 A8L ns outer cluster. The stop / tail light isnt working. I tested the leds and can see several light up, so Im assuming the fault is on the main board. I dont really know how to test for faults but kept trying to find one using a multimeter on continuity setting to find something. I think it may be the same fault you mention in the video where you had to solder in a patch wire, I can see one end of it where there are 6 points sticking through the board which is where i think the fault is (@ 5.45 in the video) however i cant make out where the other end goes to due to silicone? covering it, do you have anything to show me where to do the patch repair so I can try it please? Cheers, N

[@ANTandTEC]

I don't have photos I can show you and I don't have that car anymore. However I doubt yours will have failed at exactly the same place. Mine had some corrosion and one of the vias had failed to make contact through the board. The six leads you see is the input connector, you will need to follow the tracks from these to check for breaks. If you see any corrosion on the board then that's a likely place.

[@user-pu7ey5vb8e]

@@ANTandTEC thanks for reply, ill have another go at it if i get chance this week to see if i can find anything..

[@lincolnburns4996]

Hello mate do you repair these my indicator one has gone. I could post

[@ANTandTEC]

Give me your email address and I'll message you 👍

[@maxbrown1007]

Please how much will it cost If you repair mine. My brake light flattered as well as indicater. Thanks Andrew

[@ANTandTEC]

Send me your email address and I will message you 👍

[@maciejww1317]

Hello. First of all thank you for the video. However the LEDs straw hat from ebay from this particular selle are totally crap. I bought them and I changed them all. I sealled the lamp properly so no moisture inside. After a few weeks one row of them LED stop working and a 10 min after one row gone black every single LED stop working!!!. This quality of LED is the worst ever. They are miles away from the stock LED quality. I allready made complain on ebay. Have you got any other source of LED in UK. Thank you

[@ANTandTEC]

Hello. I repaired my lights over a year ago now and they are still working fine. Also have repaired several others since then with no LED failures. There is the possibility that something else is the issue with your lights (main control PCB) or perhaps you did just get a bad batch of LEDs... 😕 I do not have another source I can recommend but there are a lot on eBay. If you find some good ones let me know 👍

[@justint5625]

Good job, my S6 V10 has different taillights but they are giving me a headache 😅

[@marryyano1]

Please tell me how i connect the led lamps on the board ?on the green board?witch is plus,minus?

[@ANTandTEC]

There are a number of methods to check LED polarity. The easiest is to look at the inside of the LED. The larger 'plate' inside is the ground side and the smaller is the positive. Mark the board with a red or black dot before you remove the old ones 👍 Also the longer lead on the new LEDs is positive.

[@marryyano1]

Thanks 👍🙏🙏🙏

[@vyj.8740]

Hello, Which LED's do you bought? Do you have a Order Number for the LED?

[@ANTandTEC]

Hello. I find 5mm red strawhat LEDs, something around 2v forward voltage and 500mcd brightness is a good match. As said in the video, it's probably best to replace them all together with the same type to avoid further problems. The ones I buy are from this ebay seller: www.ebaystores.co.uk/bright-components

[@vyj.8740]

@@ANTandTEC Thank you very much. Thanks, also for you Video. Best regards from Germany.

[@maulajatt5655]

I have a issue with both of my rear indicator lens due to water damage. They still work on the first few clicks before they go off. Can you repair these if I send them to you? I also purchased the wrong tail light item 4E0945095D as its American and not compatible which I will give away for free plus whatever iy costs to repair. Based in North West

[@ANTandTEC]

Reply with your email address and we can talk.

[@dominicszweda8828]

Hi there, I have the same problem, how much would you charge to repair the full set for me if that possible? Thank you.

[@ANTandTEC]

Hello, If you send me an email address I can message you directly. Which lights are affected, indicators or side & brake? What are the symptoms, dark areas, or all LEDs not working?

[@dominicszweda8828]

Hi there, thanks for quick reply. My email: [e-mail]

[@dominicszweda8828]

Hi there, There is my email, please send me your email and I’ll send you back some pictures of the lights. The lights are working, but some LEDs are dead. Cheers.

[@ANTandTEC]

@@dominicszweda8828 Have emailed you.

[@mickedge5242]

Hi still no luck could it be because its the the unit in the boot lid ? I tried white ones and they seemed to hold up better they are 3v opposed to 2v

[@keithcarter1667]

Hi Great video. I have same problem Can you tell me the voltage that you applied and on what terminals yo u applied it Regards

[@ANTandTEC]

If you use the terminals in the main socket to the car then it's 12v, there are 4 pins; Ground, indicator, brake, sidelight. If you mean connecting to the LED board to test like I did, then it was around 6 volts I think. I had a variable supply, so start with a low voltage and slowly turn it up.

[@keithcarter1667]

@@ANTandTEC Thanks for the reply I did this job a few years ago but couldnt remember the voltages I used. Didnt want to blow the board Once again thanks for the reply and the video Regards

[@reybode8452]

You all prolly dont give a shit but does anyone know of a method to get back into an Instagram account..? I stupidly lost my password. I appreciate any help you can give me.

[@enochronnie8312]

@Rey Bode instablaster =)

[@reybode8452]

@Enoch Ronnie i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and im trying it out now. I see it takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.

[@fukbublifuk7546]

I'm not talking about the rear lights but the middle ones on the trunk lid

[@mirkokolar1488]

Hello i just need to know what voltage is on diode is it 5 volts or 12 volts

[@ANTandTEC]

To test using the pins on the connector like I did, it is 12v. (The actual voltage drop across each LED will be about 2.5v)

[@mirkokolar1488]

@@ANTandTEC basicly i need 3.5 volt diode to fix mine lamp

[@ANTandTEC]

@@mirkokolar1488 They wont be 3.5v LEDs. Probably 2v. They should ALL be replaced at same time. When one or some go faulty, you will see varying voltage drops across them, that is why some look brighter than others. Maybe why you are seeing higher voltage readings.

[@maulajatt5655]

Thanks for the video. My rear tail light indicator has stopped working. Any help?

[@ANTandTEC]

If you have checked that power is reaching the indicator LED board when the indicators are switched on, then it is likely that all LEDs on at least one board has failed (as it did in the video). If power is NOT reaching the LED board when the indicators are switched on, then you will need to trace the circuit back to the wiring connector as there is probably a break somewhere - usually caused by corrosion on the PCB.

[@MS-74703]

I had the same problem, the turn signal to the right stopped working. When you start the car and turn on the blinker, about 6 of the LEDs blink 2 or 3 times and then an error message appears on the instrument panel. Need to find the LEDs somewhere and replace them.

[@ANTandTEC]

@@MS-74703 store.brightcomponents.co.uk/product/50x-5mm-yellow-straw-hat-led-50-pieces/

[@zoltanbodi1229]

@@MS-74703 I have a same problem right now

[@MS-74703]

@@zoltanbodi1229 Hey. I got mine fixed. I bought new LEDs and changed them. A piece of cake. Remember to test that the new led is facing the right way. If the minus and plus go the wrong way, it won't light up.

[@pingpong7167]

Hi Pal, I have exactly the same issue as you, but dont have the tools or the skills to repair. How much would you charge to do this

[@ANTandTEC]

Where are you based? Send your email so I can contact you.

[@pingpong7167]

Ant2110 [e-mail]

[@pingpong7167]

Ant2110 based in Coventry

[@pingpong7167]

@@ANTandTEC Hi mate still waiting for your email ?

[@ANTandTEC]

@@pingpong7167 Did you get the repaired light back okay?

[@miked166]

Would you repair my lights if I sent them to you? Appears that you are in the UK.... Both of my inner lights do not work, it seems like one of my plugs on the boards is shot along with some LEDs burnt out.

[@ANTandTEC]

Send your email address and we can talk about it 👍

[@miked166]

ANT&TEC [e-mail] Thanks!

[@iamolafs_]

Hi can you email me on [e-mail] one of my lights have same issue

[@ANTandTEC]

@@miked166 Emailed you 👍

[@ANTandTEC]

@@iamolafs_ Emailed you 👍

[@miklospuskas1754]

Hi can you fix mine too pls have inner tail light and its not working maybe no power i dont know! I pay for it

[@ANTandTEC]

Post your email address here and I will get in contact with you.

[@miklospuskas1754]

I sent it but don't show it

[@miklospuskas1754]

??

[@ANTandTEC]

@Miklós Puskás I don't know other people have been able to post emails before

[@harleydowling2211]

Could I get your email I have this exact problem with all 4 of the brake units and can't seem to find decent leds

[@ANTandTEC]

These are the ones I used. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290804852915

[@harleydowling2211]

So they are red leds?

[@ANTandTEC]

@@harleydowling2211 Yes you said it was your brake lights that had failed. Search the same seller for "straw hat yellow" for LEDs for indicators

[@marryyano1]

If i send you my tail lights in England from Sweden can you please fix my tail lights too?i pay for everything,please help me

[@ANTandTEC]

Hi. What is the problem you see with yours?

[@marryyano1]

Is the same problem like with yours ,some of the led are not working i buy it new led but i am not very good to replace them