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D3 - Body and Exterior Bumpers, bonnets, glass, trims - Everything outside |
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Thread Tools | Display Modes |
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#1
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Number plate bulb holder screws
Doing a pre MOT check on the D3 this evening and noticed the nearside number plate light dead.
I have a replacement bulb, so set about what should be a 5 min job however it was not to be. First screw came out no problem, so onto the second and its stuck fast. I've tried all sorts to get it to budge but its staying put and in my efforts I have damaged the head giving even less for the philips screwdriver to attach to. Looks like I'll have to get the MOT place to drill it out or something. Everything else is working, except this lamp and it's MOT day on Thursday.
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Manny 2004 A4 1.8T Sport Cabriolet, 89K Miles Past 2004 D3 A8 3.7 Quattro, Xenon, Bose, Blinds, Solar Sunroof, TV, ACC, phone and almost every option. 168K miles rising slowly with retrofit AMI and DVB-T in place of Analogue 2003 Volvo S60 D5 SE Manual, 197K miles. 2001 D2 A8 3.7 QS, Bi-Xenon, Bose, Blinds, Electric Everything, retrofitted RNS-D, 191K Miles |
#2
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Yes, they all do it. Drilling it out is hard to not slip and damage the light. I had one so bad, even after destroying the light, Icouldn't get the screw out as what was left was in a recess. I got a new aluminium carrier and two new lights as I was fitting the reversing camera and used plastic screws. M4x15mm IIRC.
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#3
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At this point I'd be quiet happy to just lose the screw head so I can get to the bulb, then tape the light holder back in for the MOT until I can replace it.
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Manny 2004 A4 1.8T Sport Cabriolet, 89K Miles Past 2004 D3 A8 3.7 Quattro, Xenon, Bose, Blinds, Solar Sunroof, TV, ACC, phone and almost every option. 168K miles rising slowly with retrofit AMI and DVB-T in place of Analogue 2003 Volvo S60 D5 SE Manual, 197K miles. 2001 D2 A8 3.7 QS, Bi-Xenon, Bose, Blinds, Electric Everything, retrofitted RNS-D, 191K Miles |
#4
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I remember now, the first time I changed the bulbs the screws were stuck, I mentioned it to my Dad and he cut a slot in the screw head with a Dremmel and used a flat-blade screwdriver to remove it. It also made a groove in the light which was sealed with glue. I replaced the screws with stainless steel.
When I came to remove them to fit the camera, these were corroded in even worse after just two years. I tried to drill them but it was a disaster due to the boot moving when you pressed on and the small size of screw and working at a funny angle with the boot up. Your mileage may vary and maybe my stainless screws were too hard. I hope it works out better for you. |
#5
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This evening I've managed to bodge it for the MOT tomorrow.
I've in effect almost destroyed the existing holder, I used a screwdriver to remove the plastic to the outer edge of the existing holder and with one screw undone I was able to bend it and twist it to get the lens to come free, installed new bulb and used the single screw to hold it on one side and some tape to hold the broken bits on the other. I've also ordered a replacement OEM new part from the forum sponsors, I still need to get the stuck screw removed but at least the bulb now works.
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Manny 2004 A4 1.8T Sport Cabriolet, 89K Miles Past 2004 D3 A8 3.7 Quattro, Xenon, Bose, Blinds, Solar Sunroof, TV, ACC, phone and almost every option. 168K miles rising slowly with retrofit AMI and DVB-T in place of Analogue 2003 Volvo S60 D5 SE Manual, 197K miles. 2001 D2 A8 3.7 QS, Bi-Xenon, Bose, Blinds, Electric Everything, retrofitted RNS-D, 191K Miles |
#6
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As my D3 has now passed the MOT, its time to try and sort this mess.
I've got my new OEM part from the forum sponsors, it comes with two new screws and a bulb with holder. Had a closer look today, removed the now broken part again, and it seems that beneath the stuck screw I have some plastic I need to get out somehow. Once thats done I should (hopefully) be able to get hold of the screw head with pliers or something and see if it will now move. it looks like whoever did the last bulb change allowed to screw to go in wonky and thats why its stuck. I tried to break out the plastic with a flatblade screwdriver but that did not work, so I'll need a small drill or something to make tiny holes and then try again.
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Manny 2004 A4 1.8T Sport Cabriolet, 89K Miles Past 2004 D3 A8 3.7 Quattro, Xenon, Bose, Blinds, Solar Sunroof, TV, ACC, phone and almost every option. 168K miles rising slowly with retrofit AMI and DVB-T in place of Analogue 2003 Volvo S60 D5 SE Manual, 197K miles. 2001 D2 A8 3.7 QS, Bi-Xenon, Bose, Blinds, Electric Everything, retrofitted RNS-D, 191K Miles |
#7
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Number plate Bulb woe's
Mannyo,
Same problems here. Both bulbs had blown and the previous owner had tried to remove the screws and flattened the head. It was totally stuck and no amount of drilling would remove it. Very hard to get purchase and proper alignment without removing the whole unit. Anyway, drilled and totally messed up the holder. Purchased the two lights (4E0943021/4E0943022) so will try to fit them. Think i will have to just replace the whole handle as it is corroded now at this stage anyway. I think on reflection, i would probably have tried to use a hair dryer or the like to heat up the lens, and see if that somehow makes it easier for the screw to become undone. As you mentioned, it is not self tapping so there's no play in it at all should you have a problem... ANy chance would anybody know the part number for the handle? |
#8
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I hate those number plate lights.
My RVC trim turned up and in preparation for painting, I thought I'd strip every off it. One light removed fine but the 2nd one did not. One screw snapped and I ended up destroying the other light to remove the screw but failed. That screw snapped off as well. So I dropped the plinth off to my mate and hopefully he'll be able to remove the screw and re-tap the threads. When I got this back from painting, my normal rear plinth will be up for sale, just in case any one wanted it or if you want, you can send me yours and I'll see if my mate can remove your broken screws and retap the threads.
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[center] 06 3.0TDI Quattro: Options: Soft close Doors & Boot, Electric Blinds, Keyless Entry & Start, Bluetooth HandFree, Quad Zone Climate, APS+, 3 Spoke Sports Tiptronic Multi Function Steering Wheel, Heated Seats All Round, Black Leather Comfort Seats, AMI, Sunroof, Drivers & Passenger Electric Memory Seats, Auto Dimming Mirrors, Bi-Xenons AFS2, Dab, Digital TV, Reversing Camera, AV Inputs, Fridge, Solar Roof, TPMS, facelift rear lights, 3G, remote boot closure, Tow Bar. |
#9
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I have the same problems as you guys. 2 screws broken and stuck in there.
I had an identical problem with broken off head of the license plate screw. So i drilled out the nut that is pressed on to the body and bought some rubber nuts and installed those instead. Now, if the screws get stuck again i can just drill of the head, remove the whole rubber nut and replace with a new one with no problem. Im thinking of doing this to the glass from the license plate light. Just drill out a bigger hole for the rubber nut and install with new screw PS! Its a little more work but sounds easy though. |
#10
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Good idea, I actually think I have some of those lying around, you usually buy them as a matching bolt/fixing pair.
Same sort of idea as I referred to above:
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2003 D2 FL S8. Irish Green Pearl/Beige. Solar sunroof, auto-dim mirrors, electric rear seat functions, ski hatch retrofit; extended leather. Aftermarket DVB-T, reversing camera and full XCarlink (Bluetooth etc.). 2016 Volvo V40 T5 Cross Country (4WD) with ALL the toys including adaptive cruise etc. etc. Osmium Grey with Blonde/Charcoal leather interior. Polestar performance "optimisation". (A much rarer model than a D2 S8 by the way!) Oh, and a brand new engine at just under 30,000 miles on the factory one! Finally: gone, but not forgotten..... 1998 D2 PF S8. AgateGrey/Platinum. Every option (I think) except electric rear seats, tiptronic steering wheel, ski hatch, towbar & dimming door mirrors. e.g. Cruise control, NavPlus/TV, Bose, GSM, Xenons, Solar roof, Parking sensors, Alcantara/leather everywhere of course. (internal dimming mirror added later) 1998 (very early) Ford Focus 1.8 Zetec; ABS/TCS, Heated screen/mirrors, Aircon, Auto-dim mirror, Leather, Trip computer, Cruise control, OEM Ford SatNav with CD changer. And before that a lot of Rover 800s, a few oddities, a lovely Triumph Dolomite 1850HL with Overdrive and way back in my schooldays an Austin Seven aka Mini 850! |
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