Failed LED in 2008 Headlight DRL

[Irish Phaeton]

Hello all
Busy the past few months so I have a few posts to make.

I noticed last week that one (maybe 2) of the LED components in one of the front headlamp DRL on my MY2008 Phaeton have failed, so it looks like the Phaeton is missing a few teeth..

Does anyone have any ideas
1)how much requires replacement
2) Any possibility this is a DIY task.

Many thanks

Hugh
Dublin

[jkuisma]

I noticed last week that one (maybe 2) of the LED components in one of the front headlamp DRL on my MY2008 Phaeton have failed, so it looks like the Phaeton is missing a few teeth..

Noooo! Having just recently "facelifted" my GP0 with the DRLs I was hoping that they would outlast the rest of the car and that I would never need to worry about LEDs burning out. Seems not to be the case

1)how much requires replacement

Sorry to say, but the LED strip is VERY integrated with the headlight unit. There is absolutely no way to replace the LED strip (or individual LEDs for that matter) unless you find a way to get off the headlight plastic lense. "Officially" it is sealed for life and I would think twice before attempting taking it apart. I have had some success (with other cars) by removing any visible clips, then placing the headlight into baking oven (at about 100 degrees celsius) for a while and then ripping off the lense with force as the glue has given up somewhat. It is a NASTY job.

2) Any possibility this is a DIY task.

This involves replacement of the headlight. Bumper needs to come off first. Can be done yourself and has been documented on the forum. There are used headlamps on sale on ebay.de and allegro.pl. I am suspecting, though, that some of them may have the same issue... Fortunately, a used lamp is not too expensive (seems to go for around 250 euros without controllers) so you just might take your chances with a used one...?

Jouko

[PanEuropean]

Hi Hugh:

I am not at all familiar with the later production Phaetons (post 2007), however, this post might give you an idea of what is involved in getting the headlight assembly out of the vehicle - it is not a simple task.

Retrofitting Dual Xenon Headlamps

Michael

[EnglishPhaeton]

Hi Hugh:

I am not at all familiar with the later production Phaetons (post 2007), however, this post might give you an idea of what is involved in getting the headlight assembly out of the vehicle - it is not a simple task.

Retrofitting Dual Xenon Headlamps

Michael

Hugh/Michael

having recently replaced all for xenon bulbs following the above listed procedure, I found it to be relatively straight forward. The "hidden" fastening bolt is VERY hidden (in my case behind a thick layer of rubber)!!!!

Once the bumper is off though you will have no problems removing/replacing the light unit. My concern for your situation is that you will need to also get the beam alignment re-set too.

Good luck Hugh

Stu