Hello,

98 Audi A4 Quattro

My girlfriend was given this car and I have been working through issues on it -- trying to get it up to snuff where I am happy with it. One of the issues was that neighter the blinkers, nor the hazards, work at all.

I searched on here first and found several references to replacing the hazard switch, as well as a fuse, so I decided to check things out.

I found that there was no fuse even in the right location, so I popped one in and I get a loud buzzing or humming from the area right in or behind where the hazard light switch is.

So, my questions are: is this a definitive answer that the hazard light switch needs to be replaced? Or, is there another blinker or hazard relay that needs to be replaced? Or, is there something else that I am missing for getting these blinkers and hazards working?

Thanks!

Adam

 

The relay is built into the switch. Replace it.

 

Seconded - replace the switch and you're good to go.

 

Great- thanks for the quick replies.

Now, I remember during my searches I saw a couple different references for replacing this switch. Some said to remove the radio and go up underneath somehow, and I believe someone mentioned just prying out the switch. I'd rather do things the right way, or at least without breaking anything, so which is the correct way for this car?

I've done lots of work on cars but these are totally new to me and have already surirpised me, it's nice to know what to expect-

Can you give a quick step-by-step and what to look for?

Adam

 

Pull the radio out - if you try and pry the switch out you'll probably end up breaking the button face and cracking your trim. You need removal keys to remove the radio (or ask a stereo shop - they may be willing to just pop it out for you). You don't have to disconnect it - there's enough slack in the wiring to just slide it out, push up on the back bottom of the button, and it'll tip forward. Then grab ahold and pull it out. Unplug it, replace it, snap it back into place, and reseat your stereo and you're done.

 

Sounds plenty easy.

There's actually some kind of aftermarket stereo in there now, so that will add an extra elenent of figuring out how to get it out, but I think they're usually not hard in my experience.

Do you guys have a preferred online place for cheap parts? Or are local dealers the best source?

Thanks again, you guys have been great.

Adam

 

ECS Tuning and PureMS seem to be the most popular, but you can get it relatively cheap from the dealer. They will probably even have it in stock.

 

Ok guys - I had a little bit of a surprise today when I realized the car is actually a 97, NOT a 98 like I had reported earlier. I had another surprise when I ordered the switch and found that the 98 switch is about $30 but the 97 switch is $60!

Oh well. The big question now is, does this change the diagnosis at all knowing the car is a 97 instead? What about installation instructions -- still the same?

Thanks again!

Adam

 

I thought that 96-98 used the same relay switch. Strange. Same problem though for sure.

 

They may be for most of them -- the dealer did show different switches for early and late 98's. He had the late 98 switch in stock and showed it to me, it is just a big orange triangle. My switch (early style) is an orange triangle inside a rectangular block that matches the rest of the switches like the fog lights, etc.

Adam