View Full Version : headlight range control defective
Fresh.S4
05-28-2018, 10:26 PM
The S4 that I bought saturday came with this dash light on BUT the headlights still worked and aimed correctly.
FASTFORWARD to yesterday I pulled the front bumper/ lights off to install a new grill and after putting everything back together, now the lights are pointing down.
I checked the level sensor behind the driver side wheel and I guess its fine...
google has lots of different methods to using vcds. anyone know the true method?
also I did have a code when I scanned but didnt save (it wasnt specific to a left/ right side).............. gotta get my own vcds cable since my VW one doesnt work for this.
arunner
05-28-2018, 11:04 PM
The S4 that I bought saturday came with this dash light on BUT the headlights still worked and aimed correctly.
FASTFORWARD to yesterday I pulled the front bumper/ lights off to install a new grill and after putting everything back together, now the lights are pointing down.
I checked the level sensor behind the driver side wheel and I guess its fine...
google has lots of different methods to using vcds. anyone know the true method?
also I did have a code when I scanned but didnt save (it wasnt specific to a left/ right side).............. gotta get my own vcds cable since my VW one doesnt work for this.
So,
I ran into this yesterday doing the exact same thing. However, mine just went away upon restarting the car a couple of times?
This can also pop up if you code your car for anything having to do with AF-S headlights and you do not have AF-S (turning headlights, Prestige models usually).
I can’t recall the exact switch that I changed in Carista to cause (and later fix) the “headlight range control defective” error to pop up in the first place - but I know it was one of the “common” ones people will change in Carista. (Or VCDS)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
We didn't change any codes in vcds when he scanned it at my house on Sunday. When we pulled the lights I did notice the passenger side light had its ballast out at some point and was resealed. I'm wondering if the light was replaced with a non afs one on that side.(all guessing) im not even sure if his car has afs.
That said its not leveling and we didnt unplug or mess with anything when we swapped the grille. Just unplugged and removed lights which I've done on my car a good 15 times with zero issues.
Fresh.S4
06-04-2018, 10:18 AM
bump
its a 2012 prestige, all options.
I pulled the lights out again over the weekend and checked the wiring inside. nothing looks out of place and not sure which wires actually go to the motors themselves.
arunner
06-04-2018, 01:13 PM
bump
its a 2012 prestige, all options.
I pulled the lights out again over the weekend and checked the wiring inside. nothing looks out of place and not sure which wires actually go to the motors themselves.
Re-plugged all of the connectors, yes? If it’s Prestige w/all options it definitely has AF-S headlights which means there are a bunch of plugs on the headlight I believe. (My car is facelift and non-AF-S, otherwise I’d try and get some pictures)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
toastsauce
06-04-2018, 01:19 PM
There is a second sensor/bracket driver rear wheel too. If the front driver side assembly is still intact check there
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
hilmar2k
06-04-2018, 01:29 PM
The auto-leveling can get out of adjustment. My A6 headlights were way too high when I sold it. You need Vagcom to adjust them, due to the auto-leveling feature, so I never got around to it.
His lights only had 1 plug per light and he says its only got sensors on 1 side
Fresh.S4
06-04-2018, 08:59 PM
Ill pull the wheel off tomorrow morning and check for the 2nd rear sensor.
Their is also only a single harness plug going to the headlight assembly, did you mean multiple connectors inside? because if so I only replugged the main light harness and I think a small black one. The others are kind of buried within.
rear sensor is intact and looks good.
Fresh.S4
06-06-2018, 09:21 AM
where is the range control module located??
toastsauce
06-06-2018, 09:53 AM
The sensor on the wheel control arms? Or the electrical component in the car?
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
The sensor on the wheel control arms? Or the electrical component in the car?
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Electrical component
Gunnark100
06-06-2018, 10:25 AM
behind glovebox
Fresh.S4
06-06-2018, 10:28 AM
k thanks. im assuming ill have to pull the glovebox out (hopefully not too much of the surrounding trim either) lol Also vin says my car did come with AFS.
Fresh.S4
06-09-2018, 07:40 AM
gonna do some digging today, but did find out yesterday that if you pull fuses 6/7 off the side, the dash error goes away...... (but my lights are still pointed down)
Fresh.S4
07-15-2018, 08:30 AM
UPDATE!
finally bought a replacement sensor (it was the front that was bad). I do not get the error on the dash anymore but i still cannot tell if my headlights move when I turn them on. I did previously manually raise them via the hex nut but now with the sensor in they were pointing rather high so I had to manually lower them back down.
So my question is, what exactly are my AFS lights supposed to do that makes them so fancy?