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S4 tailight colors....what gives?

3K views 12 replies 9 participants last post by  Paulinct 
#1 · (Edited)
So this S4 I just bought, has two different colored tail lights......

The left side, the turn signal area is pure white, while the right side seems either faded or old, almost a yellowish color to it. Obviously one of them has been replaced.

I have also seen some of them, where the white area is actually totally clear, maybe those are for the non U.S. market.

Are their three versions of these tail lights?

Also, the AR emblem on the hood, is it an actual emblem, or just a sticker?
 

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#3 ·
I bought my '91 S4 new, and it had the original style lamps with the pure white lower band. I believe sometime in the '92 production run, they switched over to an all red lens (or at least, two different tones of red). Over time, the white band will yellow if left outdoors exposed to UV light.

I also think some of the European aftermarket lenses have an amber turn signal section, based on some of the photos I've seen. But I may be wrong on that detail...

My car now has a slight mismatch due to replacement of the driver side lamp about three years ago. See photo...

Rettilieno, if you want to match your tail lights up and go with the newer (and more available) all-red style, would you be willing to sell me your driver side lens assembly? It looks to be a nice bright white, which is what I would like to go back to if possible. Thanks regardless.
 

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#8 ·
Over time, the white band will yellow if left outdoors exposed to UV light.
You can usually improve that by sanding off the yellowed/hazed layer, polishing, and then recoating with something protective. UV cure headlight coatings work the best, but in a pinch I've read that clear spar urethane is a good option.
 
#6 ·
My S4 had mis-matched and cracked tail light lenses when I bought it. I replaced both light units with a pair from Classic Alfa in the U.K. at a price of about $460 US. The shipping was reasonable and very fast.

The lighting in the photo does not show it well but the lenses are an identical match. I've noticed that some have a nearly white segment like alfaloco mentioned but that was not an issue for me.
 

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#10 ·
#11 ·
I believe the real issue in the mystery of the discoloration is that moisture is wicking into the tail light assembly, oxidizing the bulb seats in the housing and causing some rust. This i find erodes the white bands on the lense and leaves that brownish discoloration. Most times if you open and rinse the lens with some mild dish detergent and wipe, it may do the trick if the "white coating" is still in tact.
hope this helps
 
#13 ·
my theory has always been that acid fumes from the battery directly in front of the passenger side deteriorate it. On my Spider I am pretty sure both lights are original and there is a marked difference between the two. Of course, there are different versions out there too which can also be the cause.
 
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