Still can't figure out what's wrong with my headlight

[Bill Jenkins]

I made a thread before on here asking for help and I still haven't found a solution, instead of bumping an old thread I decided to make a new one with the new information I have. So the issue I'm having with the headlight is that its flickering and going out but then coming back on when I turn the headlights off then on again. If I have the fog lights on with the headlights it will flicker as it usually does and when it goes out the fog light shuts off briefly as well and then both the headlight and the foglight turn back on and the cycle repeats, (EXACTLY like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGuxSpahtDE , I messaged this guy and he said he ended up selling the car as he had too many problems with it.)

So I read it could be either the ballast or the bulb originally and that if I switched the bulbs around and the problem remained on the side it originated (drivers side) that it was the ballast going bad. I switched the headlights around and the problem remained on the drivers side so I figured it was the ballast. Replaced the ballast, but the problem was still there. That's when I originally came to the forums and was told I needed to marry the new ballast to the ECU which I'm pretty sure I did using this guide http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ast+adaptation . Followed the guide exactly and still no luck . So now I'm at a loss, the only thing I can think to do is replace the bulb but it shouldn't be the bulb if I switched them around and the problem didnt follow... what do I do? I've searched EVERYWHERE online and can't find anything similar.

[Van Black]

I would check the connectors to the bulb ald balast, the harness and the ground studs. It seems to me like you have an improper contact
somewhere on the harness. I think it's before the balast since the fog is also affected. Don't forget to check the fuse and the terminals on the fuse block.
Also, look into the alternator, although I doubt that would be an issue since it's just on one side

[mtroxel]

Yea you've done a lot. Now you're down to continuity tests in the wiring. At this point, it's either a problem in the wiring or the Cent Elect module.

[Bill Jenkins]

I would check the connectors to the bulb ald balast, the harness and the ground studs. It seems to me like you have an improper contact
somewhere on the harness. I think it's before the balast since the fog is also affected. Don't forget to check the fuse and the terminals on the fuse block.
Also, look into the alternator, although I doubt that would be an issue since it's just on one side

I've taken the ballast off and reconnected the bulb and ballast wire a couple of times now to be sure everything was properly seated but it hasn't seemed to work (The one good thing about this is I can get my bumper/headlights off in less than 10 minutes now.) I currently have the car apart but I cant seem to find the grounding studs, do you have any idea where they would be?

Yea you've done a lot. Now you're down to continuity tests in the wiring. At this point, it's either a problem in the wiring or the Cent Elect module.

Oh boy... the Central Electric module sounds expensive. What would that involve if it is that?

[mtroxel]

Oh boy... the Central Electric module sounds expensive. What would that involve if it is that?

I've seen them used for about $50. I've got one I'd sell you, but you should confirm all the writing first...make sure you don't have a ground problem or a problem from the headlight plug back to the cent elec module.

[pezgoon]

There are grounds all over the place and it may not be a ground that is even next to the headlight that could be causing issues. The tough things with car electrical systems (especially modern ones) is that the entire vehicle acts like one big circuit, and if any part of it isn't working right it can throqw off the whole system. This is seen alot in audio issues.

That said, I agree that it sounds like a bad connection/bad ground. I would start with the nearest grounds to the headlight though as thats your best bet. Also maybe pick up some contact cleaner and spray the connections, could be more effective to actually clean them along with disconnecting/reconnecting alot of times

[OliNix]

I had nearly the same problem, was convinced it was the ballasts. Switched bulbs and problem stayed on drivers side, eventually both headlights would do it, turned out that both bulbs were on there way out and it's something to do with the length of the supply to the drivers headlight that makes the voltage more unstable, so appears to fail first.

Long story short replaced both headlight bulbs and it fixed the problem, no more flickering headlights

It was also causing dynamic headlight steering and levelling faults, that went away when I replaced the bulbs as well

[texpoops]

Check the connections in the headlight switch as well. I had issues with a loose connection and my fog lights going on and off randomly

[Bill Jenkins]

After messing with my car more today looking at different wires ect. I've come to the conclusion that I still have no idea what the the hell is wrong lol. I'm gonna order a new bulb and see what that does, if it doesn't work at least I'll have something else I can cross off my list of possibilities right? Hahaha...haha...ha.... In case anyone's curious or if someone has the same problem I had in the future and finds this, I'll keep the thread updated with what happens.

[drmonkey]

Check the connections underneath the steering wheel on the module. I have halogens but I was having a lot of problems with the driver side and found one of the connections was partially unplugged (like barely 2mm). I pushed on the plug and it clicked in and I haven't had issues since.

[papadelogan]

I had the flickering issue in my B7 sedan. It was summer and I had another vehicle to drive at night, so I took both ballasts out & sent them to Phil (fly300kts) to get upgraded components installed. I don't recall the cost, but it solved my issue 100%. You might want to PM him and have a chat about it.

[Bill Jenkins]

I had the flickering issue in my B7 sedan. It was summer and I had another vehicle to drive at night, so I took both ballasts out & sent them to Phil (fly300kts) to get upgraded components installed. I don't recall the cost, but it solved my issue 100%. You might want to PM him and have a chat about it.

I would do that but I already replaced the ballast so I don't want to spend more money on them just yet, I probably will do that in the future though as it seems like a good idea. Just need some more money first haha.

Check the connections underneath the steering wheel on the module. I have halogens but I was having a lot of problems with the driver side and found one of the connections was partially unplugged (like barely 2mm). I pushed on the plug and it clicked in and I haven't had issues since.

I checked those today, pushed all of the plugs on the module I could see in, all of them already seemed secure and didn't move at all :/ .

[Bill Jenkins]

So... turned out it was just the bulb... replaced it and it works great now , one thing I notice now though is that the left headlight is pointing down. I can't remember if this is how its supposed to be or not. I just went into VAG COM and tried to adjust it and relearn its position and everything supposedly went well but its still pointing down. In my head it makes sense for the drivers side beam to be down a bit so it doesn't shine in oncoming traffics eyes but it seems like its pointed down way more than it should be. I'll try to get a picture of it later tonight.