boot lights

[oldnick]

have been having a problem with electrical leak ...hopefully cured but still a small loss...maybe [ the microswitch that ejects the casette in the CD stack was stuck ]

but not sure there isn't a problem on the boot lights

didn't realise that the boot lights come on when you open the boot even when no other lights are on ....but while working on the battery/fuses there have noticed that the lights were off , at least part of the time [ not really paid attention ]

today went to check battery voltage , opened boot , noticed lights came on .alles gut
tried the effect of pushing in the two micro switches on the boot lid ...lights stay on even after a minute or two !!!!

is this correct ? is there a timer on this ? can't imagine why there should be

update ; just went and opened the boot to make further check on battery voltage ...not only had the lights gone out , they didn't come on !!! tried flicking both microswitches ...no difference ; presuming feed is from central locking module , checked central locking operating ...OK
had a look at the fuse reference in the handbook ....boot light not mentioned ! anyone know ?

m'aidez , m'aidez ! [ or mayday , mayday if you prefer ]

[The_Laird]

I'd pop the fitting out and put a volt meter across the bulb and bulb holder as a first step. I've had bulbs go that are tempramental before complete failure. And the fitting is a bit crappy too, so it might be on the blink and need tightening up/cleaning. Simple stuff first

[HPsauce]

I had my boot lights fail a while back; I'd blown a fuse while swapping bulbs.
It also stopped the indicators flashing when locking/unlocking so that's a quick test.

IIRC it was a fuse in the drivers footwell, rather obscurely listed in the handbook - I missed it totally until someone posted the answer here!

[oldnick]

as stated , all the lights came on , so unless all 3 festoon bulbs are failing at the same moment can't be that ; same with the microswitches , not likely both fail at the identical moment ; and central locking works correctly so can't be the fuse

been thinking about it , need to know if there is a delay on the boot lights going off...same as interior lights ; is there , and how long is the delay ? my theory is that all these lights are controlled from the central locking , and when I held the microswitches in it wasn't for long enough

in which case the problem must be in the feed from the central locking ...failing intermittently , maybe shorting out in the boot lid or the connection at the pump

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by oldnick

central locking works correctly so can't be the fuse

Different fuse, my C/L worked fine, just the indicators didn't flash to confirm.

The only delay I'm aware of is that if you leave the boot open "eventually" the boot lights go off. It's a fair few minutes though.

[Architex_mA8tey]

Starting with the bleeding obvious, there isn't a switchable light in the boot which is switched permanently to on by mistake is there? Just a thought. . .

[oldnick]

no , no switchable light in the boot

so, consensus of opinion is

open boot
3 lights come on
after a long time they will switch off [ maybe whatever does that is the reason they won't switch on again ...on the pump maybe ?]

can someone try the effect of pressing in the 2 switches immediately
? does that turn off the lights ? it didn't when I tried it , but why not ?...that's the same as shutting the boot lid ; or maybe they are then supposed to go off after a pause like the interior lights ?

anybody tried taking off the boot lid lining ? is that easy ?...can't see how it is done ; maybe having a look at the wiring there is a good idea , could be there is a loose connection

thanks for your offering chaps , much appreciated

[HPsauce]

What switches are you talking about?

What model of car do you have, e.g. PF or FL?

The boot lining is very easy to remove, just lots of screws and a couple of nuts.
(take out warning triangle, remove retaining nuts in handle, remove all screws holding trim in place - there are a fair few and they are well-disguised.)

[oldnick]

PF or FL ? too technical for me , I'm new here

it's a 2000 A8 3.7 sport quattro tiptronic facelift ,,,does that help ?

the switches I refer to are at the back of the boot lid and get closed when you shut the lid , presumably to switch the lights off ...except they don't when I push them in !

and screws well disguised ? they must be , I didn't notice any !

just worked it out ...pre facelift and facelift ?

[HPsauce]

No switches I know of, are you looking at the black cushioning springs?
Screws have felt-covered heads, look harder.