Help Needed! - Flickering Headlights on B7 S4

[RejectedNinja]

I posted this in the lighting tech forums but I wanted to cover my bases:

Currently my headlights start flickering after I start driving just a small amount and/or after they get warmed up.

The bulbs have been replaced but that is all I know. This is my first Audi and am looking to fix it properly.

Any help/suggestions would be great! If you need more info or need me to do things to test out some theories/get more info I am completely up to the task as long as they don't involve removing the front bumper. I'll have to do that at a later date.

[sonosam]

Possibly the ballasts? Are you getting the "dipped" headlight error on the dash?

If it is the ballasts those are ~$200 ea, but that is where I would go next.

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[QIKRNU]

Don't remember which one it is, but Chrysler uses the same ballast (substantially cheaper).

[Terry.Reese]

I got mine off an intrepid

Valeo LAD5GL 89030471xenon ballast AE006

Hope that might help. Paid $60 for it.


may sound stupid but ensure it is plugged all the way in, check the little connectors as well as they can come loose.

[RejectedNinja]

I'm still learning everything about my car so I'm not sure what you mean by "dipped". I am getting multiple light errors on startup or whenever I turn on the headlights even though I have checked and they still work (besides the flickering).

[RejectedNinja]

I got mine off an intrepid

Valeo LAD5GL 89030471xenon ballast AE006

Hope that might help. Paid $60 for it.


may sound stupid but ensure it is plugged all the way in, check the little connectors as well as they can come loose.

Is there an easy way to do that without taking off the front bumper? Currently at college and I dont have access to tools or a place to work on it yet.

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Possibly the ballasts? Are you getting the "dipped" headlight error on the dash?

If it is the ballasts those are ~$200 ea, but that is where I would go next.

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

I'm still learning everything about my car so I'm not sure what you mean by "dipped". I am getting multiple light errors on startup or whenever I turn on the headlights even though I have checked and they still work (besides the flickering).

[Terry.Reese]

I need to stop reading these threads.. got a frakking dipped light 4 times last night i had to fix.

[Terry.Reese]

Just ordered a new one. Mine comes and goes. Not sure if it is the wiring. But wanted to have a spare in case.

[sonosam]

Is there an easy way to do that without taking off the front bumper? Currently at college and I dont have access to tools or a place to work on it yet.

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I'm still learning everything about my car so I'm not sure what you mean by "dipped". I am getting multiple light errors on startup or whenever I turn on the headlights even though I have checked and they still work (besides the flickering).

http://nickscarblog.com/diy/how-to-f...ror-on-an-audi

There's a decent link about the dipped light error and possible causes.

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[RejectedNinja]

http://nickscarblog.com/diy/how-to-f...ror-on-an-audi

There's a decent link about the dipped light error and possible causes.

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Sadly, that is not my error light. Not even close. I get a light bulb with an X through it.


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[sonosam]

Typically that error is accompanied by which light is out. That error is a "bulb out" error.

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[RPMtech147]

Bulb or balast. Swap the bulb with the other lamp, see if the problem follows, if it doesn't it's probably the balast.

[alcatranz518]

I had the same exact issue and dash warning, and was worried it was the ballast because of the work and price involved; but after reading up on here about it I went with bulbs first. I bought new bulbs and replaced the one with complete success in resolution of the issue. I only changed the one to verify it was a bulb issue first (by that time the bulb would stop flickering and kicking warning when on).
Added unsolicited lil tidbit: The bulb thankfully doesn't require the bumper to come off and can be done in about an hour, but isn't cakewalk as it takes some patience to get it in the housing, locked down, and plugged in. Be gentle and patient and it will go. Also, don't try to be fast by not removing the power steering reserv. and expansion tank reserv. out of the way (just unbolt, dont undo hoses). Not to mention the harness bracket (driver side); as well as the airbox assy on the pass side <- oh and make sure car is cool or the hoses there will burn the sh&% out of your hand.. that little bit of extra time to have the room pays off if you do decide on the bulbs. trust me.

FWIW after the change, I could easily see how much brighter and "crisper" the new bulb output was so I also changed out the passenger side (good to change both at same time anyhow) and been good since. Additionally, I was getting a headlight dipped error on occasion as well and haven't since the change. That was last winter so it was definitely the bulb, thankfully. But with respect to the "winter"...You know, because nothing ever breaks during the summer and when you are off work lol.

[RejectedNinja]

I had the same exact issue and dash warning, and was worried it was the ballast because of the work and price involved; but after reading up on here about it I went with bulbs first. I bought new bulbs and replaced the one with complete success in resolution of the issue. I only changed the one to verify it was a bulb issue first (by that time the bulb would stop flickering and kicking warning when on).
Added unsolicited lil tidbit: The bulb thankfully doesn't require the bumper to come off and can be done in about an hour, but isn't cakewalk as it takes some patience to get it in the housing, locked down, and plugged in. Be gentle and patient and it will go. Also, don't try to be fast by not removing the power steering reserv. and expansion tank reserv. out of the way (just unbolt, dont undo hoses). Not to mention the harness bracket (driver side); as well as the airbox assy on the pass side <- oh and make sure car is cool or the hoses there will burn the sh&% out of your hand.. that little bit of extra time to have the room pays off if you do decide on the bulbs. trust me.

FWIW after the change, I could easily see how much brighter and "crisper" the new bulb output was so I also changed out the passenger side (good to change both at same time anyhow) and been good since. Additionally, I was getting a headlight dipped error on occasion as well and haven't since the change. That was last winter so it was definitely the bulb, thankfully. But with respect to the "winter"...You know, because nothing ever breaks during the summer and when you are off work lol.

Based on this, I will try to replace the bulb first. Sadly in my case, its both headlights. And they appear EXTREMELY dim IMO, especially compared to every other car on the road, HID/xenon or not.

Do you happen to know of/have a guide or video for replacing the bulb?


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[Terry.Reese]

I swapped my bulbs around last night. Haven't had that problem yet. See how it goes. Mine might have been just a loose connection.

[alcatranz518]

Based on this, I will try to replace the bulb first. Sadly in my case, its both headlights. And they appear EXTREMELY dim IMO, especially compared to every other car on the road, HID/xenon or not.

Do you happen to know of/have a guide or video for replacing the bulb?


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

I don't, other than the Bentley manual. Its fairly straightforward though.

[Terry.Reese]

Based on this, I will try to replace the bulb first. Sadly in my case, its both headlights. And they appear EXTREMELY dim IMO, especially compared to every other car on the road, HID/xenon or not.

Do you happen to know of/have a guide or video for replacing the bulb?


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Give me a few minutes and i will upload a quick walk through.

[RejectedNinja]

Give me a few minutes and i will upload a quick walk through.

Thank you so much!


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[Terry.Reese]

Here you go, sorry for bad video but you should get the idea.

https://youtu.be/TuyBGyjK4ns

[dmanisgnarly]

Got rid of my HIDs. After 10 years of being on the market and going through about 12 different sets I finally decided HID technology is like CD's -soon to be a thing of the past. Swapped the S4 and our Lexus hybrid over to OPTI7 LED kits. Aftermarket or $300 ballast, they all seemed to figure out a way to stop working or irritate me at one time or another.

[Terry.Reese]

Got rid of my HIDs. After 10 years of being on the market and going through about 12 different sets I finally decided HID technology is like CD's -soon to be a thing of the past. Swapped the S4 and our Lexus hybrid over to OPTI7 LED kits. Aftermarket or $300 ballast, they all seemed to figure out a way to stop working or irritate me at one time or another.

My buddy is a retrofitter and i am getting another set of lights so we can go balls deep in them.

[alcatranz518]

Here you go, sorry for bad video but you should get the idea.

https://youtu.be/TuyBGyjK4ns

Thats movin fast! Just watched the video and realized you have a B6, which is different in 1 aspect when it comes to headlight removal. Make note to B7 owners, 90% of it is the same however, where the B6 has the 1 screw on the inside of the engine compartment by the PS reservoir...the B7 has the rear screw tactically placed through the 1 hole through the unibody that's just right where most fixed drivers are too short, and small enough dia to need a good tape (but not a lot of) to bind extensions together to reach in. If the driver falls out of the tool you need to drop the belly pan to let it fall out. Some can go in through the fender well at it, I haven't been able to accomplish it that way yet. This thread shows what I mean about our headlight housing removal: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...bumper+removal

On the B7 you can change out the bulbs without removing the housing, you just have to give yourself enough clearance behind the housing for your hand to work and torx drivers (without touching the glass on the new bulb).

[Terry.Reese]

I actually used Bondo on that whole attachment i used. It's one whole piece because i got tired of the bit falling out.

[Terry.Reese]

Thats movin fast! Just watched the video and realized you have a B6, which is different in 1 aspect when it comes to headlight removal. Make note to B7 owners, 90% of it is the same however, where the B6 has the 1 screw on the inside of the engine compartment by the PS reservoir...the B7 has the rear screw tactically placed through the 1 hole through the unibody that's just right where most fixed drivers are too short, and small enough dia to need a good tape (but not a lot of) to bind extensions together to reach in. If the driver falls out of the tool you need to drop the belly pan to let it fall out. Some can go in through the fender well at it, I haven't been able to accomplish it that way yet. This thread shows what I mean about our headlight housing removal: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...bumper+removal

On the B7 you can change out the bulbs without removing the housing, you just have to give yourself enough clearance behind the housing for your hand to work and torx drivers (without touching the glass on the new bulb).

Wow, never realized it was so intrusive to get the bumper off. Damn, sorry my video won't help you ninja.

[RejectedNinja]

Wow, never realized it was so intrusive to get the bumper off. Damn, sorry my video won't help you ninja.

No problem terry, I appreciate all the help so far! I should've figured something like this would've happened, I am dealing with my first piece of german engineering.


Since I now have a guide on how to access the bulbs, I'm going to need some recommendations for new ones. No idea what my current ones are as I bought the car a while ago and it hasn't changed since.
I'd prefer bright bulbs as I'm constantly driving on an unlit highway

Also, being the ambitious college freshman engineering student I am, I saw this video https://youtu.be/wNEx2_p3kJw?t=68 and immediately thought "Hey, I could do that! Plus that looks amazing!" If anyone has any idea what I would need to accomplish that, please let me know.

[Terry.Reese]

going to be doing that soon on mine as well, you will need to get a DIY on how to open them up, not as easy as it seems. My close friend is a retrofitter so he does that stuff for a living. if you want to shoot him a message for some recommendations he is Gerns12volt on Faceboook. good guy. https://www.facebook.com/gern12volt/?fref=ts

[alcatranz518]

Here's one DIY Nick had that may be of help: http://nickscarblog.com/diy/b7-audi-clear-corner-mod

[Terry.Reese]

Here is the process we did originally, just wanted them blacked out and the amber piece removed. getting a new set of lights to do all the fun stuff to next time.

[RejectedNinja]

Here is the process we did originally, just wanted them blacked out and the amber piece removed. getting a new set of lights to do all the fun stuff to next time.

Lucky for me, the previous owner already did that for me :)


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[badger.]

This happened on mine last year. Turned out to just be the passenger side electrical connection had worked itself a little loose. My connector clips are pretty busted due to the 1879 times I've had my headlights out and it wasn't seated 100%. Caused a lot of very random flickering and headlight errors in the dash. But it was as easy as plugging it back in firmly :)

[Terry.Reese]

Mine must have been that same problem. No issues after i swapped the bulbs around.