Need Help --Both Headlights not working

**CaRtharsis** · 12-23-2008 05:06 PM

Ok some backgroud first.

This evening I pulled the drivers headlight assembly to replace the washer pump. During the swap it began to snow. I turned on the ignition to put the drivers window up. I knew this was a bad idea as soon as I did it as I recalled posts about people having done this.

Anyhow, I finished the change, put the headlight back in and started the car. I turned the headlights on and they failed to come on (both sides) and immmediately had a left headlight followed by a right headlight fail message. I cycled the lights off then back on several times but they would not come on.

I turned the car off then restarted it. Turning the headlights on did nothing, however I am no longer getting the fail message.

Car is an 04 Avant with stock halogen housings.

Anyone have any input on how to fix this?

**J-jizzle** · 12-23-2008 05:14 PM

Did you check your fuses?

**AudiXS4X01** · 12-24-2008 06:52 AM

fuse or ballast

**CaRtharsis** · 12-24-2008 02:56 PM

I have halogens so no ballast. The only fuses I can find on the panel are 20 and 21 I think they were which are for headlight adjustment. Is there another location for fuses? I've only had the car a few months so I'm not familiar with everything

**yung turbo** · 12-27-2008 01:16 AM

when it says "do not turn car on without headlights plugged in" it says so for a reason. you probably need vagcom to reset it now.

**CaRtharsis** · 12-28-2008 07:11 AM

Yeah it was one of those "Oh Crap" moments. I knew as soon as I turned the key that something was going to go wrong. I've only had the car a few months so I'm not fully aware of all the intricate details of its maintenance.

So a VAGCOM reset seems to be the only fix? Any insight on how to accomplish that? Ie. where the setting would be found?

**cdyer77** · 03-09-2009 04:17 PM

Did you get this resolved?

I ask because I had my pass side halogen low beam go out the other day. I figured this weekend I'll get a new bilb. This this morning I go out & the drivers side went out as well.

So I take the other car to work, get bulbs, come home & replace both bulbs.

I start the car, still have no low beams. Checked the fuses and they are fine.

Anybody have a clue what to check next?

**rxrep** · 03-09-2009 04:33 PM

I've started and maneuvered my car from garage to different parts of the driveway with no headlights in it while I work on front end. Windows up and windows down. No problems when I plugged the headlights back in.
The only thing I can say is that if you unplugged both, you've really got to push until they snap back in. You may think they're plugged in, but they aren't.
If you didn't unplug both, then I've got no clue.