Dipped light, after replacing whole assembly

[Quattrological]

Hi gang- hoping someone can point me in the right direction. I’m stumped. Short version is the subject line of this message. Bi-xenon AFS, by the way.

Maybe 2 years ago had the flickering and dipped message (right side) occasionally. Usually returned to normal operation w/o issues for some time, so just kind of bounced along while trying to figure it out (learned lots reading Audizine.) Then- as luck would have it- it crapped out (low beam totally out) during an inspection. Because of tight schedule/timing, etc. I sprang for a new headlight assembly and replaced it. No more issues for the past several months. Whew.

Then- tonight- the fuggin’ right dipped headlight message. Big time ugh as that new light was 800 bucks. :( It’s a Magnetti Marelli and it seems unlikely I’ve a bad one (as it’s been working flawlessly.) I drove for a bit, pulled over, got out and verified the low bulb not lit, shut off car, re-started and all fine. Gotta love a good electrical mystery.

Any opinions on next moves? Again I don’t think it’s the new assembly, seeing as this seems to be the exact thing that was happening before replacing it (in that it’s fine, then not, then fine. Makes me think I replaced a good assembly.)

Really appreciate any advice you may have. I’m trying to figure this out and give the shop guidance (not averse to wrenching and Lord knows I’ve done plenty in the past, but because of physical issues, the cold and no garage depending on the local indie.) Thanks!

[DansB6]

While rebuilding my crashed B8 A4 i replaced the damaged headlight and was presented with various headlight messages and errors i think dipped headlight message too. After clearing the codes with a scanner all the errors messages went away and the headlight worked without issue.

[a4audi4fun]

Have you checked all the wiring connectors to the headlight? Given it's worked for a few months, maybe it just come loose or because of cooler weather moisture has found it's way on to one or more of the pins. A quick spray with contact cleaner might help.

[Quattrological]

Thanks guys.

DanB6: Possibly, and worth trying, but what stands out is that the light was actually out on the new headlight (until I shut down/re-started.)

A4audi4fun: Right of you to suggest (the old “keep it simple/ start w/ the basics" thing first.) I’ll check.

If anyone else has ideas please feel free to chime in. Huge thanks!!!

[vce1232000]

check for frayed wiring in the connector & harness

[Quattrological]

Thanks man- good to be reminded (by you and A4audi4fun) of the simple things (as my mind goes to "ah shit- here we go with some kind of long/involved/mysterious electrical gremlin.") This weekend I'll pull the air intake off of that side, unplug/inspect, etc. Happened again last night- very frustrating as- again- this is a new headlight assembly and it's doing the exact same thing as the old headlight unit.

[Jayz691]

Maybe a bad ballast? You would have transfered the used one over to the,new housing.

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[Quattrological]

Maybe a bad ballast? You would have transfered the used one over to the,new housing.

Sent from my LM-G710VM using Audizine Forum mobile app

A ha- this could very well be it. You see, the shop did the swap and I didn't look closely at the new assembly before the install. So if in fact the new one came w/out a ballast and the old was transferred over then sure, that makes great sense.

Huge thanks!

Edit: Whew- just checked and that ballast is 400. That'll make this one headlight replacement a total of 1400 (because the light just happened to not light during the state inspection.) So, the lesson here is don't just replace the light because you only have one car and need it each day. Just park the fooker and find another way to get around while you have the old light/ballast overhauled.

[Quattrological]

OK, so now I just want to get a "what would you do" opinion. if anyone's willing. Please bear with a little redundancy here but I think you'll see why...

So as you can tell this is most likely the ballast. BUT here's what's niggling at my brain (before I spend more):

Before I replaced the headlight assembly I'd get the occasional dipped headlight message, but most of the time it worked fine (like 90% of the time.) Then- on that inspection day- it stopped working altogether and stayed not working...so I replaced the whole assembly (and never thought that the ballast didn't come with it.) BUT- now- with the new assembly and old ballast in place the thing works 90% of the time again, so I'm kind of stumped.

I think you see what I mean: prior to replacing the assembly it was totally crapped out, but now working (well, 90% of the time. :) If the ballast was totally toast before replacing the light then why is it partially working again (like working 90% of the time.)

I will still, of course, check the connector and whatever wiring I can see as suggested, as that could still explain this.

Thanks!

[Jayz691]

Could have just been a bad or corroded connection, and removing and replacing it cleaned it off. New housings never come with new ballast, so unless you bought a new one, they reused yours.

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[Jeevan]

Its the ballast, swap and see if the error swaps too


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[Quattrological]

Thanks guys. Learning as I go along, and the lesson here is read the finer print (in this case don't assume the ballast comes with the light. ) So, yeah, an expensive roundabout course but with your suggestions I'm sure I'll get it rectified shortly.

Really do appreciate the help a great deal- very thankful for Audizine!

[vce1232000]

Thanks guys. Learning as I go along, and the lesson here is read the finer print (in this case don't assume the ballast comes with the light. ) So, yeah, an expensive roundabout course but with your suggestions I'm sure I'll get it rectified shortly.

Really do appreciate the help a great deal- very thankful for Audizine!

There a guy on here that fixes the ballasts. do a search on the search bar on the top right hand corner. I believe his name will pop up

[Quattrological]

There a guy on here that fixes the ballasts. do a search on the search bar on the top right hand corner. I believe his name will pop up

Found him.

Thanks!!

[Quattrological]

Just wanted to wrap this up:

All good- problem solved. The car was totaled an hour ago. It’s a shame- 60K miles on it and looks (well, looked) like it just rolled out of the showroom.

[Jeevan]

Just wanted to wrap this up:

All good- problem solved. The car was totaled an hour ago. It’s a shame- 60K miles on it and looks (well, looked) like it just rolled out of the showroom.

May be its a sign to get a brand new WRX or Elantra N

[Quattrological]

May be its a sign to get a brand new WRX or Elantra N

I guess it's a sign of something. Pretty damned bummed about it- car still looks great overall but....as we all know...it's super easy for the cost of repairs to exceed the value of the car (which is why I'm really bummed- won't be able to replace it w/ a similar car- condition/mileage wise- for the money I'll get.) So I'm pretty PO'ed at the kid who rear ended me as she'll have ended up costing me a shit load of money (as I sure wasn't planning on replacing the thing anytime soon.) Anyway I'm still way early in this. Haven't gotten info from her insurer, yet, and then it'll be the old weigh the pros and cons thing (i.e. use the money after buying it back to fix it, or not, etc.)

[Jeevan]

I guess it's a sign of something. Pretty damned bummed about it- car still looks great overall but....as we all know...it's super easy for the cost of repairs to exceed the value of the car (which is why I'm really bummed- won't be able to replace it w/ a similar car- condition/mileage wise- for the money I'll get.) So I'm pretty PO'ed at the kid who rear ended me as she'll have ended up costing me a shit load of money (as I sure wasn't planning on replacing the thing anytime soon.) Anyway I'm still way early in this. Haven't gotten info from her insurer, yet, and then it'll be the old weigh the pros and cons thing (i.e. use the money after buying it back to fix it, or not, etc.)

Currently used car prices are way down. It bad time to be in a wreck. Was it your fault or other guy?

[Quattrological]

I agree. Fortunately the other person. Couldn’t be more clear: me stopped at red light, behind one other car, then wallop. At a glance doesn’t look too bad (right side trunk near bottom pushed inward, bumper cover screwed, some plastic bits broken) but- once you open the trunk and stare down at the “sill” (where the latch is) you see that the passenger side is pushed about an inch and a half frontwards (she hit off center on right.) The real rear bumper (aluminum beam, under the cover) is broken too. That sill I mentioned has a fold where the right half is crunched/pushed forward and because the trunk was closed when hit (duh) that caused it to push up/forward…so yeah the trunk is deformed. I’m hopeful for some reasonable estimates but as you can tell I’m expecting it to be totaled as I’ve seen many cars with much less damage cost out the ass.