I just bought a 3.6 Q7 with the Halogen headlights and want to replace the bulbs with something brighter. Strangely, the owner's manual doesn't have instructions on this. Can someone please give me a step-by-step on how to do this? I opened the hood and it looks like engine components are blocking access to the back of the light casing. Help!

have you noticed the large plastic pieces covering the engine compartment? Audi doesn't want you working on the Q7... even the bulbs.

This picture shows you the two releases on the headlight housing. You'll need to pull up on the left one and push down on the right one.

<img src="http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u55/mksap11/Q7/IMG_1042.jpg" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">




1) Pull up on this release (it requires a modicum of force to get up)
<img src="http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u55/mksap11/Q7/IMG_1043.jpg" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">


2) Disconnect the electrical harness just aft of the release


3) While pushing the headlight housing towards the front of the car, push down on this latch to release the headlight
<img src="http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u55/mksap11/Q7/IMG_1044.jpg" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">

Thanks for the great instructions mksap11. Audi should hire you to write their Q7 owner's manual! :D

how do u do step 2?

2. Disconnect the electrical harness just aft of the release

There seem to be something holding it on, can't release it.

do those two releases in the pic release the large plastic piece at the back of the headlight or does that just allow you to release the housing?

It allows the headlamp unit to come out the front of the grill. You then just open the acess ports and change the bulbs. After finding this thread I changed all 4 bulbs in 10 minutes.

Just be careful on install the top of the headlight has to slide into a T shape track.

So I don't have to take off the 4 screws holding down the headlamp unit...is that correct?

You are correct, just pull up that tab that is in the inner part of the head;lamp housing and then push down the tab that is on the outside of the assembly then push out the front of the car. Those screws hold the lamp assembly mount. The headlamp just slides into that mount.

I just did this the other night and now I am getting a code saying my headlight range cotrol is defective. Any ideas as to getting this code removed? The lights work great btw. All help will be appreciated.

Anthony

I seem to be having same issue - cant disconnect the electrical harness - any help out there; thanks and happy new year.

All you have to do with the harness is push down on the end of it and pull at the same time. It feels like you aren't moving the piece, but you are. I had a hard time as it was cod outside when I tried this. But it finally came out. B careful when pulling out the headlight as the piece of the grill tends to catch on the headlight. A lot of wiggling is involved with putting the headlight back in as well. Good luck and hopefully you don't get the headlight error I got when I did the bulb swap. Just purchased a Vag Com so hopefully I can remove the code.

Anthony

Many Thanks to mksap11, saving me a lot of headache. I unplugged the rear electric power cord then unhooked keylock and press down the front lock and push the headlight kit forward. Then pull out the lights and replace both. It was tricky to push back the light, just make sure keep the pointer upward to insert back to the socket.

Good luck guys.!!!!

mksap11,

You are the man! I cannot believe I actually took my car in twice for headlight replacement. Both times I was left scratching my head as to how to get that darn light out and new one in. After seeing your pictures and reading the explanation it took me all of about 10 minutes to replace both (yep, I had both lights go out within a day of each other). This is the third light for me on the driver side.

Heads up to others: unplugging the the electrical harness is very easy with the aid of a screwdriver to push the connector piece. Also, when putting the assembly back in, take a look inside the opening from the front as you insert it back in and align the slide with the T mold and it will self align as you push it in.

Or are all Q7's equipped with the adaptive feature?

Or are all Q7's equipped with the adaptive feature?

No, adaptive feature is specific to certain packages.

nice, the DRL was out, and replaced it in 10 minutes.

So is procedure same for Q7's equipped with the adaptive headlights?

Where are better stores to purchase the xenon lamps?

Is it worthwhile purchasing the VAG-COM? Does it allow you to do your own oil changes?



No, adaptive feature is specific to certain packages.

You are correct, just pull up that tab that is in the inner part of the head;lamp housing and then push down the tab that is on the outside of the assembly then push out the front of the car. Those screws hold the lamp assembly mount. The headlamp just slides into that mount.

hi there, i am new to this, i have a 2009 Q7 S line with Halogen headlights. they are 55w bulbs, can i upgrade them to brighter bulbs do you know ? thx.

hi there, i am new to this, i have a 2009 Q7 S line with Halogen headlights. they are 55w bulbs, can i upgrade them to brighter bulbs do you know ? thx.

Probably, but the added heat just might melt the plastic housing. $$$$$

hi there, i am new to this, i have a 2009 Q7 S line with Halogen headlights. they are 55w bulbs, can i upgrade them to brighter bulbs do you know ? thx.

brighter bulb, yes. higher wattage, no.

iirc silverstar is about as good as you can get with out exposing yourself to the risk of melting your housings/wiring.

dont bother with those hid conversion kits, they look off and the light output is garbage. secondly you dont have the proper projectors to cast the light to begin with so it will just be a huge blob of light not focused at anything.

if you want a minor upgrade go with the sylvania silverstar bulbs, if you want to do it properly upgrade to oem xenon housings and bulbs.

many thanks - where is the best place to buy them ?

i have bought these ones - hopefully they will do the trick...

http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/H7-Philips-X-treme-Vision-100-Headlight-Bulbs-pair.html?bulb_search=c1206

the philips 'xtreme' vision do the job as well, and i have not heard of bulbs prematurely dying with them either... it is an alternative consider. same users on several forums have complained that sylvania have gone out as early as one year, others have had success with them for nearly double that... sylvania honours their warranty and if the bulb dies prematurely they will replace (providing you have the receipt and upc code) i have not really followed since they came out but i would imagine three or four years later all the bugs are worked out...

you may want to look into 'nightbreakers' as well, it is another bulb some consider/purchase however i know nothing about it.

left = xenon bulbs vs. right = philips xtreme bulbs:
http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr350/Viper_089/P1000235.jpg


again i have to mention that oem HID is the best option. my q7 came with factory adaptive hid lights, i upgraded to the ecode adaptive headlight and love the extra light and sharper beam pattern. it is a route that should be considered as well.

With this guide, I was able to change the drivers side bulb. Now the passenger side is out and I can't disconnect the electrical. For the life of me, I can't remember how I disconnected the other side. I tried many times on both sides and all I ended up doing is breaking some plastic tabs. Can anyone post some pictures on how to disconnect the electric wire from the harness?

Could you explain "screwdriver to push the connector piece", having difficulty removing the harness. pictures would greatly appreciated.

Yes please!! How the heck do you get the connector off the back of the headlight? Getting the assembly to slide is no problem, but I see no moveable parts on the connector. There is a tab on the inside of the connector, but it has no movement either with my hand or a screwdriver. I was excited when I saw someone say 10minutes then I spent 10 min trying to remove the connector to no avail.