Drivers side Xenon flickering at start

[Hockenheim]

This only occurs when I drive from the start and for a few kilometers. Any ideas? The dealer said they couldn't find anything. Could it be time for a new bulb?

[Tanner]

Most likely it's the ballast that is failing. Eventually the light will flicker and die but will come back fine if you shut off/on the lights. Been there done that.

Toughest part is convincing the service dept because most likely when they look at your car, the light will operate just fine. So if the light does get bad enough where the light goes out, take a picture of the car with the one light out and show them.

[WayzataAudi]

what about if im out of warranty? am i basically screwed? how much is a ballast? cus both of mine are flickering every once in a while...

[Latin Audi]

I would try bulb first. It's much less expensive than a ballast. I had flickering and new bulbs from DDM did the trick.

[Tanner]

If you're out of warranty, then yes it'll be out of pocket. You could probably find some other ballasts like McCulloch which might be cheaper.

[Tanner]

I would try bulb first. It's much less expensive than a ballast. I had flickering and new bulbs from DDM did the trick.

True... swap the two and then see if the problem goes to the other side.

[nbeo]

I'm having the same issue with my ride. Last night was the first time the light actually went out and my dash gave me the error of - Left Light Dipped! I turned the light off and on and it came back. The flickering has been happening for the last month. So I think I'm just gonna try a set of new bulbs first and if that doesn't do the trick then it's gonna be after market ballast time!

[Nikoman]

I had the dealer change both of my ballasts and bulbs under warranty. Just tell them you had the bulb changed with an OEM part and it didn't fix the flickering. They have a technical service bulletin about this issue. When they replace the ballast, they also do the bulb at no charge. You can call Audi USA and complain if they give you issues.

I wouldn't spend my time & money swapping any bulbs if you have a warranty. Spend it on an RS4 sway bar or something... :)

[JMG]

Swap the bulb to the other side and see if it flickers. If it does than it's just the bulb. If not, keep driving it until either one flickers. Then you will know for sure if it's the bulb or the ballast.

[smartass]

There is a TSB about this problem, it eventually happens to most HID equipped B7's, if you're lucky the dealer will replace them under warranty (you should have both replaced at the same time.) The TSB recommends as a first step shimming the bulbs with a shim kit (this should be done, but does not fix the flickering since your bulbs are already damaged.) If you return with the same problem they should just replace the bulbs. You can try to just ask for the bulbs to be replaced but it's unlikely they'll skip the first fix attempt.

[MichiganAudiDvr]

B7 HID's use a DS1 bulb that has an integrated ballast, it's impossible to replace just the ballast. That said the DS1 aren't that expensive (for xenon bulbs).

Hum...not quite true - not integrated, that's for sure. Ballast is screwed into the bottom of the headlight housing and has a pin connector there. You won't see it until you remove the housing and flip it over. It's a thin metal "card like" type ballast.

Also - mine "flickers" when I start up at idle - but it's just the vibration of the engine causing the headlight housing/bulb to vibrate a bit, causing the beam to look like its flickering a bit, as soon as the engine smooths out, it's normal.

[WayzataAudi]

^^if you take out your headlight there is an external ballast that is bolted onto the headlight housing. im not sure exactly the technical definition but i know that they can go out and thats what we mean when we say ballast.

edit: thanks michaudidrvr, you got to it before me. x)

as for the bulb issue, im saving up money to buy new bulbs to see if that is the issue...what color would you guys recommend? i want something a little more blue, like the color of range rover headlights...

[LAS]

i had my left side dip. dealer swapped bulbs from left to right, then my right side started dipping after a few days. dealer then replaced both my xenon bulbs. i'm still under warranty.

on an extra note... there also maybe a tsb for the drl bulb socket/harness. i went to change out one of the drl bulbs and found both my sockets black and slightly melted...yes i'm running the oem bulbs. got those sockets replace same time they did my xenon bulbs. just fyi.

[smartass]

^^if you take out your headlight there is an external ballast that is bolted onto the headlight housing. im not sure exactly the technical definition but i know that they can go out and thats what we mean when we say ballast.

Sorry, you're right.. The bulbs have an integrated igniter, the ballast is external. Disregard my previous ranting about it being impossible...

[WayzataAudi]

yeah ill let it go this time. but dont let it happen again...

[Nikoman]

There is a TSB about this problem, it eventually happens to most HID equipped B7's, if you're lucky the dealer will replace them under warranty (you should have both replaced at the same time.) The TSB recommends as a first step shimming the bulbs with a shim kit (this should be done, but does not fix the flickering since your bulbs are already damaged.) If you return with the same problem they should just replace the bulbs. You can try to just ask for the bulbs to be replaced but it's unlikely they'll skip the first fix attempt.

I brought my car again in after the they replaced the ballast and bulbs on both sides because the driver's side was shaking while in idle. The dealer said they installed spacers and there is a TSB for it. I'm assuming that's the shim kit?

It's not the easiest task swapping bulbs, again I have to recommend taking the warranty path first. Unless of course you have the time and desire to

[Tanner]

Yeah, remember we might be talking two different things now. Flickering as in the light cutting in and out, and flickering where it's bouncing around like as if the bulb isn't seated tightly.

[armysoldier1073]

Any idea on where or how to do the shim kit?

[rensho]

Any idea on where or how to do the shim kit?

Anyone have an idea as to what they shims look like and where they go? If it is easy, I'd rather do this myself than try and go fight with the dealer as to whether Audi should cover this as warranty at my 76kmi mileage.

TIA

[Nikoman]

Call them and ask. There is a TSB on it, I'm sure they can disclose the information to their customers. It may include the parts needed to get the lights to stop "shaking" at idle or over bumps. The flickering (light goes out and comes back on when lights are power cycled with switch) is usually the ballast. Bulbs usually work or don't when theyre bad, the dealers just want you to change them first before they do the ballast under warranty. Complain and you shall receive.....

[oripaamoni]

anybody have a PN for the ballast and price?
i changed my bulbs and had no issues for 2 months but now almost every time i drive i get the headlight dipped message. I am thinking maybe i need the shims? any ideas

[oripaamoni]

Alrighty soo I swapped the ballasts left to right assuming that the problem will follow the ballast or the problem will stay meaning it is not the ballast. Much to my supprise the problem seems to be gone all together... We will see for how long.

[airbornerifleman]

[QUOTE=WayzataAudi;4392175
as for the bulb issue, im saving up money to buy new bulbs to see if that is the issue...what color would you guys recommend? i want something a little more blue, like the color of range rover headlights...[/QUOTE]

If you want more color go with a higher K bulb but be warned about potential riceness and the higher the K the lower the brightness.

If you want more color from you OEM Bi-xenon without loosing brightness or looking like a rice rocket, you have to change your dot spec projector lens to a clear or ece lens. That will give you more color flicker and enhance your brightness from OEM setup.

Check out my thread:http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=243770