phred

this is a perfect example of when they are needed. You KNOW Audi is going to blame anyone they can think of, your car insurance probably won't pay until responsibility is determined, you house insurance ditto. And everyone will jerk you around as much as possible, hoping you'll go away or accept a token settlement to shut up.

A few good attorney letters might rattle their cages enough to make some progress. Good luck. You might also do some investigating to see how BMW owners handled similar situations.

Potomac-Greg

... living with the risk of fire. It's pretty unlikely that you would actually make it worse.

JimR

Are you going to park your car until July?

I see no reason to not effect a fix now. I wonder how you rationalize doing nothing.

<rant mode on>
Personally, I highly recommend all read <a href="http://www.wspd.com/denny4.html">the Retrosexual Code</a>. I am a *PROUD* Retrosexual.

Some key maxims applicable here:

<b>A Retrosexual DEALS with IT. Be it a flat tire, break-in into your home, or a natural disaster, you DEAL WITH IT.

A Retrosexual knows how to use a basic set of tools. If you can't hammer a nail, or drill a straight hole, practice in secret until you can - or be rightfully ridiculed for the wuss you be.</b>

I, sir, am headed to my garage to go get my tools and DEAL WITH IT.

I recommend all do the same.

Good day.

&lt;/rant&gt;

Eric 2.7

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/61325/headlight_wiring_002_circled.jpg"></center><p>Opened mine up and my headlight wiring does not go between the L22 structural member and the relay box like shown in fivespeeda6er's picture. My harness goes across and follows the steering column.

The only place where it gets into peril, and very little at that, is where it crosses over the accordian aluminum bracket that fastens the lower dash. I covered that portion with felt and wrapped it with cloth tape even though there was really no evidence of wear on that part of the harness.

The loop coming from the cluster that Stoney mentions is well secured on mine and wrapped in a nice mesh sleeve which looks to be quite protective.

I would say my configuration is not prone to problems. Don't know if it is a plant or time based problem, but my 2000 A6 2.7 T was built 01/00 in Neckarsulm.

Eric 2.7

With a known hazard, I address it immediately. Can't make it worse with felt and tape.

Stoney

Your picture fits the wording in the recall notice better.

JimR

Just back from the garage.

I had some plastic spiral wrap I put on it where it crosses the accordian bracket.

JimR

Pull the steering column out and remove the trim at the instrument panel by pulling straight back.
<img src="http://images5.fotki.com/v64/photos/7/77755/389799/A6WiringHarnessRecallFix001-vi.jpg">

Remove fuse panel cover. I had a trim stick, care with a flat blade screwdriver will work.
<img src="http://images5.fotki.com/v64/photos/7/77755/389799/A6WiringHarnessRecallFix003-vi.jpg">

Remove 5 screws. I think they're 8mm; I cheated and used a 5/16" bit on an electric screwdriver. Two screws are on top, on either side of the steering column; two screws are at the bottom extreme corners of the panel; and one is accessed through a hole in the side panel.
<img src="http://images5.fotki.com/v64/photos/7/77755/389799/A6WiringHarnessRecallFix004-vi.jpg">
<img src="http://images5.fotki.com/v65/photos/7/77755/389799/A6WiringHarnessRecallFix014-vi.jpg">

Once the panel is loose, just swing it down out of the way. No need to completely remove it.

Here are pics of the area to the left of the steering column.

There was no rubbing of the cloth harness covers evident. The right side is cable-tied up high out of the way. The left side crossing of the accordian support was fine.
<img src="http://images5.fotki.com/v64/photos/7/77755/389799/A6WiringHarnessRecallFix010-vi.jpg">
<img src="http://images5.fotki.com/v64/photos/7/77755/389799/A6WiringHarnessRecallFix009-vi.jpg">

I went ahead and wrapped the harness at the accordion support bracket crossing with some plastic spiral wrap I had laying around.
<img src="http://images5.fotki.com/v64/photos/7/77755/389799/A6WiringHarnessRecallFix011-vi.jpg">
<img src="http://images5.fotki.com/v64/photos/7/77755/389799/A6WiringHarnessRecallFix012-vi.jpg">

Button it back up, and there you go.

Capt William

It is a molded nylon strip that wraps around sharp edges to keep them from cutting wires and tubing. If you have an electronics store they should have some.

Eric 2.7

Nice writeup - this is the definitive tech article &amp; how to ^^^^^^^^