[Elberoth]

Hello Gang,

Just found this forum and thought to register.

There has been a lot of talk about swapping the new facelifted 2013 Q5 headlights to a 2009-2012 Q5s.

The consensus was, it was not possible due to design changes. Rears yes, fronts - no.

Well, I'm glad to report that I have successfully test fitted one FL headlight today. I was lucky, as nearby body shop just took a 2013 Q5 for headlight / front bumper replacement after a small accident, so we just borrowed one of the headlamps.

2010 headlight on the left and 2013 FL headlight on the right:

Audi part # for the LEFT 2013 FL headlight:

The headlight fits, BUT:

1. you also need to buy a headlight support bracket, as it is completely different:

Audi part # is 8R0 941 453A - this is for the LEFT headlight only:

The new support has one extra mounting hole:

I belive this is Audi solution to the known Q5 headlight jitter problem (when you hit the pothole, you could see the headlights jittering briefly). I belive the extra mounting point is to prevent that from happening, as it supports the weight of the headlight housing from the back. There is also an extra part that connects this support to the car body - I belive it will be retrofitable as well. I will check that tomorrow and will post some more images and hopefully part #s.

 

[Elberoth]

2. you need to get harness extension (male to female) as the stock harness will not reach the socket on the FL headlight.

The sockets are the same:

However, the socket on the 2010 headlights is on the side of the headlight housing. On the FL one, the socket is situated right in the middle of the headlight housing:

As a resoult, the stock 2010 harness is just not long enough. You either need a harness extension cable of some sort, or you can cut off the harness socket and solder in 4" of extension cable. For obvious reasons, I would rather NOT do it, unless I have no other choice.

I was able to source one of those harness extenders at the time I had my 2002 Audi A4 several years ago - it was needed when to swap halogen headlamps to HIDs:

As you can see, it is a MALE to FEMALE extender. The sockets on 2002 A4 and Q5 are different though, so the one I have will not fit. Anyone knows where to source a similar extender for a Q5 HID headlights ?

 

[merlinv8]

Welcome Elberoth, well done with the info , hopefully it will be very helpful to a lot of members, Have you tried Audi direct for the extenders, Just a thought, all the best Merlin

 

[Snow Man]

I don't think anyone said it 'couldn't' be done, only it wasn't worth the effort...
Nice body shop - i hope they don't lend out parts from my car to others owners.

 

[Wilf]

i hope they don't lend out parts from my car to others owners.

Are you trying to tell us something snowman lol

 

[Elberoth]

I don't think anyone said it 'couldn't' be done, only it wasn't worth the effort...
Nice body shop - i hope they don't lend out parts from my car to others owners.

They have borrowed me a DAMAGED headlight, that was already removed from the car. That headlight will end up in a trash bin anyway

I have made some progress today, will post all Audi part # and more images.

The only thing I'm missing now is MALE connector Audi part # to fabricate the extension cable needed.

 

[Elberoth]

OK, so here is the complete parts list needed to do the swap:

- headlight support plate left - 8R0 941 453 A
- headlight support plate right - 8R0 941 454 A
- headlight socket MALE - 1J0-973-837 - two pcs needed
- headlight socket FEMALE - 1J0-973-737 - two pcs needed
- headlight support bracket left - 8R0 941 355
- headlight support bracket right - 8R0 941 356
- headlight adjustment element - 4G8 806 305 - two pcs needed
- allen screw - WHT 000 372 - two pcs needed
- torx screw - N 107 511 01 - four pcs needed

Please note that only the support plates and sockets are mandatory for this swap - all other parts are were added by Audi to fix the 'headlight jitter' problem that was present on 2010 Q5s. Not sure if that is was a part of a FL, or those parts were already present on 2011 and 2012 cars. Someone with 2012 car would have to verify that.

I have paid like $70 for all those parts. Should have them in 2 days time.

I will post images showing the headlight support bracket and how it is fitted on 2013 Q5 tomorrow.

 

[Elberoth]

Just got today 4 brand-spanking-new fronts and rears. $1400 total shipped. I still expect to get at least $800 back from selling my current pre FL rears and fronts on ebay.

Life is good

 

[missile]

I note you have itemised 2X male and female sockets, are you DIY the extensions to the wiring harness? Please take photos of your build ................ Good Post

 

[Elberoth]

I note you have itemised 2X male and female sockets, are you DIY the extensions to the wiring harness? Please take photos of your build ................ Good Post

Yes, that is the plan. Apparently, those sockets come not only without cables, but also without pins. You need to buy them separately, and 'arm' the sockets by yourself. The pins and cables are sold in bundles - about 25cm of wire + 2 male (or 2 female) pins at both ends. You need to cut them in half, and solder male / female pairs together.

I will post Audi part # and DIY manual when I get those pins and cables. I have them on order. Doesn't sound to be terribly difficoult to anyone who can solder. The pins are numbered at the socket end, so that sould make the much easier.

 

[missile]

............ Doesn't sound to be terribly difficoult to anyone who can solder..............

Famous last words .................. I look forward to your update. Just out of curiosity, as I already have facelift headlights.

 

[Elberoth]

OK, some more images.

Here is the original headlight socket - 1J0 973 737. I will need to DIY my own cable extension using another socket like that and its male counterpart 1J0 973 837. Luckily, all the cables are numbered, so that would make soldering much easier:

Here is the headlight support bracket that is missing on my 2010 Q5:

It is bolted to the car frame - I will probably have to drill 2 holes to attach it:

The headlight support bracket ataches to the rear fixing of the headlight support plate - making the headlight much more rigid, and hopefully - less prone to light beam jitter.

 

[migsan]

Elberoth,

Great topic! Thanks for the share!

 

[adamjones2000]

Great info, please keep us updated on the install.

 

[missile]

Your car looks very clean and tidy for it's age. Good man

 

[Elberoth]

Thanks. You should have seen my 2010 S5 ... only 18k miles on a 4 years old car. Sitting in my underground garage 99% of the time - so no acid rains, no UV light, which greately accelerates the ageing of materials. I do not drive it in the winter either - have WRX for that

Basicly looks like a 6 months old car:

 

[Elberoth]

Just a quick update. I have found out that the new FL headlights should have a rubber hose fixed to them. They were not present on pre-FL headlights, and the FL headlights I bought came without those, so I need to order those as well.

Left:8R0-941-717
Right:8R0-941-718

I belive those hoses were added to avoid vapor condensation inside the headlights.

The hose connects to the back of the headlight:

Got those the next day and already thought I already have all the parts needed:

only to realise I will also need a full set of rubber grommets for my extension cable sockets, which are needed to seal off the cables entering the sockets (otherwise moisture could enter the sockets and create short).

Aggggh ! Beeing a pioneer is always hard ! I should have those by friday.

 

[Bonzoboy]

Have to say Elberoth if a jobs worth doing its worth doing well and you are certainly doing that. Well done to you mate.

 

[missile]

It is surprising how the cost of all those little bags adds up. What is the total spend on your conversion?

 

[Elberoth]

All of those little parts were $230 total. The most expensive are those parts needed to fabricate the harness extension - $170. Brackets, hoses, fixings etc were only $60.