brickeln

I replaced the bulb with a new one, but left top brake light will not illuminate. Any suggestions?

AudiDriver

Hey brickeln, just a short story and suggestion here.

I have an 02 A4 and recently my rear tail bulbs started going out, so i ended up replacing them all 1) to save the hassle of dealing with each additional failed bulb and installation (which is not that difficult, level 1 difficulty) and 2) they are all much brighter now. Here's the catch I encountered... I had several bulbs from Audi that I'd purchased when picking up another part, but was missing like 1-2 with the double filaments and purchased regular Sylvania bulbs from the store. I kept encountering issues with the non-German bulbs (i.e., lamp indicator on instrument cluster, inconsistency with the bulb lighting on one socket but not another, etc.) went to Audi for another non-related part and asked the tech about my bulb issue and he'd mentioned he noticed several related issue with non Audi or at least non-German made bulbs... o.k., so I thought what a way to sell their product, right?

He gave me a bulb at no cost and told me to try it any ways.. it worked. He'd mentioned not exactly knowing why the Audi or German bulbs worked and why the cheap China bulbs didn't, but I definitely use at least German made bulbs form my B6 if not Audi bulbs. Give it a try on the one you are having issues with, and this may even include German bulbs on all the sockets on that side tail light assembly. Let me know if this not even apply as well, ok?

- Joe

A4Audi4Fun

I suggest checking the state of the contacts in the bulb holders; I've found they get a little corroded (dark colour rather than shiny) over time due to moisture and/or arcing. A little scraping and gentle bending of the contact has always fixed the issue for me.

ct_esq

+1 to that - and a dialectic grease will help.