Xenon Flickering issue: Problem Fixed

[fly300kts]

Hi Guys,

Just posting here since it's a well sprayed issue on the B7 Chassis

All the Xenon Guys are aware of this infamous issue that could end up being expensive to fix. Cheaper way around is to try the bulb replacement first but sometimes, the ballast is the root cause.
I decided to start a little investigation of what could be the problem and I finally was able to separate the board from the housing.

Well I am glad to tell you that I found the problem!!!!!
This ballast was totally shot: once powered, bulb was coming ON for a millisecond and that's it.
Replaced Transformer, capacitors, regulator and voila!!!
It seems that the components are made in Germany (same components used in the aircraft I am working on) and Mouser or other, don't carry them
A total of 4 components need to be replaced: 2 are faulty and 2 are weaken due to the faulty one

2 capacitors
1 transformer
1 Regulator

As previously said, I got these from my Company stock and we have specific parts numbers. I will need to go back to Engineering blue print to see if I can get a cross reference.
I hope by adding this, the post won't be locked, but for info, the total part cost for 1 ballast is $59, way better than a new unit !!!!

Well, if you have a flickering issue, the Community has now a solution!!





Phil

[JimmyBones]

Nice work. We start with the bulb and then go with the ballasts/igniters/gas discharge ecms. (Audi can't make up their minds)

Those bulbs are bright out of the headlight housing, right.

[fly300kts]

Yes, picture shows an OEM D1S 4300K

phil

[jmpaul320]

interesting, mine flicker when i turn them on, but only for like the first 3 or 4 minutes while warming up... im assuming oem lights are way more expensive than $59... nice find!

[DKM]

I took my car into the dealer for this issue and they're telling me its the bulb bouncing in the housing. Its under warranty...im taking it back and going up their ass. Or....i can just fix it myself for cheap.

[Moto One]

Right now we are one of the flickering head light owners, and at this time Audi will not address the problem... I"m off to to the NTSA site to file. We had success with a similar problem with our Range Rove and Ford was made to address the problem.

[S4King]

Same fix for the B6 S4? Nice write up and investigation.

[B6JoeS4]

Depends on if you are an 04 or 05 car. 04 cars have single xenons which use the older ballast with 5G imprinted on it. The cars with bixenon (05+) use the much thinner 5GL ballast. Not sure if the guts are the same between the two

[Mr. Corey]

Depends on if you are an 04 or 05 car. 04 cars have single xenons which use the older ballast with 5G imprinted on it. The cars with bixenon (05+) use the much thinner 5GL ballast. Not sure if the guts are the same between the two

I got a set of Bixenon housings recently and threw my old single xenon ballasts in and I've noticed it flicker a few times since. It never had did that before. Could it be related to the capacitors, transformer, or regulator....?

[bcy]

Hi

Can you please give exact part numbers for those 4 components (2xcap, transformer and regulator) appreciate if you can mark them on picture.

Thanks!
M

[JayNYS4]

I've started seeing this a little more often lately as well. Can you provide more info?

Ditto on the marking of your picture as that'll help the community on which exact parts needs to be swapped out.

Thanks a lot for you info.

[BWT]

Right now we are one of the flickering head light owners, and at this time Audi will not address the problem... I"m off to to the NTSA site to file. We had success with a similar problem with our Range Rove and Ford was made to address the problem.

AOA is not ignoring this problem from my experience... mine started flickering on both sides and are being replaced this week under CPO. I'm getting all new bulbs, ballasts, and igniters. This will be the second time they were replaced on my car. The first was about 3 years ago and covered under the factory warranty.

[[email protected]]

This reminds me of how I fixed my LCD TV....... for $6. I was ready to go buy a new one (for $1800) after my samsung wouldn't even turn on anymore and decided to say F**K it I'll take it apart to see if I can fix it. 1 stop at radio shack and $6 for 3 capacitors later and it works better than ever..

Details PLEASE on what to replace and how to get parts. My B7 Avant has the flickering problem and dealership said its related to 2 different brand bulbs which are not covered under warranty.

[fly300kts]

I got a set of Bixenon housings recently and threw my old single xenon ballasts in and I've noticed it flicker a few times since. It never had did that before. Could it be related to the capacitors, transformer, or regulator....?

Yes, definitively

[fly300kts]

I've started seeing this a little more often lately as well. Can you provide more info?

Ditto on the marking of your picture as that'll help the community on which exact parts needs to be swapped out.

Thanks a lot for you info.

Unfortunately, I do not have the info. My avionic shop is replacing the components, not me

phil

[fly300kts]

This reminds me of how I fixed my LCD TV....... for $6. I was ready to go buy a new one (for $1800) after my samsung wouldn't even turn on anymore and decided to say F**K it I'll take it apart to see if I can fix it. 1 stop at radio shack and $6 for 3 capacitors later and it works better than ever..

Details PLEASE on what to replace and how to get parts. My B7 Avant has the flickering problem and dealership said its related to 2 different brand bulbs which are not covered under warranty.

As posted previously, I do not have any details on the parts to be replaced.
When I had the issue, I gave the ballast to my avionic shop and they replaced the components from me.

Phil