Audi A4 B7 bi-xenon flickering problem !!!

[bullomar]

Hi to all,

as I have annoying problems with my bi-xenon flickering head lights, I would like to ask you guys to help me solve it if anyone had the same problem?

Problem started some 2-3 months ago, at the beginning my bi-xenon's started just flickering, but now, after they flicker, they turn off.
After I turn off and on both headlights on the switch, they work again fine for some period but than again, they start flickering and shutting down again.
My both bi-xenon bulbs look fine, and the light is very bright at night so I dont think my bulbs will die.

Also, I have noticed that they go off if there is bumping road.
I want to mention also that I have also adaptive lights so maybe they could make some troubles to bulbs too.

Please try to help me solve my problem, I am going crazy at night when sometimes I need to turn them off and back on for several times in 5 minutes....


Thank you

[PetrolDave]

Most likely you have a problem with the igniter modules.

[wyliss]

Hi to all,

as I have annoying problems with my bi-xenon flickering head lights, I would like to ask you guys to help me solve it if anyone had the same problem?

Problem started some 2-3 months ago, at the beginning my bi-xenon's started just flickering, but now, after they flicker, they turn off.
After I turn off and on both headlights on the switch, they work again fine for some period but than again, they start flickering and shutting down again.
My both bi-xenon bulbs look fine, and the light is very bright at night so I dont think my bulbs will die.

Also, I have noticed that they go off if there is bumping road.
I want to mention also that I have also adaptive lights so maybe they could make some troubles to bulbs too.

Please try to help me solve my problem, I am going crazy at night when sometimes I need to turn them off and back on for several times in 5 minutes....


Thank you

Hi and welcome to TSN.
I had the same problem last year and the dealer replaced the xenon control unit which sits behind each lamp.

[bullomar]

Thank you both, PetrolDave and dibbs for your answers.

Dave, please tell me, are you both mentioning the same thing for my problem?

As I know, those control units which dibbs mentioned are very expensive, am I wright?

thanks

[PetrolDave]

Dave, please tell me, are you both mentioning the same thing for my problem?

Yep, the same thing.

[Phantom]

Same problem with me also, the driver's side light kept flickering and then it got to a stage where it went off four about 4 secs and then came back on again.

I had the Xenon's ECU's replaced two weeks ago during its service. £300 each module , doh, just as well there was still 2 weeks warranty left on the car !

[PeterR]

Hey -

I have the pretty much same problem - Xenon flickering, especially when the curve adaption is heavily working (eg. parking garage). Switching the light off and on again solves the issue.

My questions to all of you:
a) is it just the control units that need to be changed or do the bulbs need to be changed as well?
b) how about Audi warranty in each of your cases? Does Audi replace at no cost or would we have to pay for the units/bulbs/installation?

My warranty comes to an end and the German dealer would charge me 1000EUR for bulbs, installation and remainder of the control units (30%) while Audi would take 70% for the units only.

Comments welcome.

[WallyBazoom]

Hi Guys,

Got the same Flickering and turning off problem. (drivers side only).

Just had the car serviced, and pointed out the problem. (car has still got 3 years warranty)

However, they won't replace the Xenon control unit until the bulbs are changed first, and of course bulbs are not warranty items so they want me to pay over £500 for a pair of bulbs first.

Is there a way I can prove one way or another that it's the control unit at fault? perhaps swapping the bulbs round and if it still happens on the drivers side, then it must be the control unit.

Cheers,

[Grum71]

Having the same issues myself. My bulb (O/S only) went a girlie shade of pink before 'flickering.' This continued for 3-4 weeks before giving up the ghost.
Audi wanted £162.50 for a replacement bulb (each!) but HIDS-DIRECT came up trumps at £50 a pair.

Replaced both bulbs. 3 days later, bulb failure warning.

Next step - control unit (Ballast) On the B6 S4 this is a 5GL unit.

Again, Stealer wanted £255 so HIDS4U came up trumps with £135 + £5 to the nice postman. I found a code via Google (STRATHY) which lowered the price to £106.

Headlight out, ballast fitted along with the bulb - perfect.

3 days later - bulb failure.

I changed all the 'stuff' (ballasts/bulbs) from the nearside and checked and vice versa. This pin pinted a faulty ballast (the replacement) so I have just taken delivery of it's brother but haven't fitted as yet.

Need to check car wiring before I do.

Any help/advice from you guys is appreciated.

BTW - the headlight that fails does have some condensation in it. A common problem but unsure if this has any relevance.

Grahame

[PeterR]

All -

I finally had both the control units as well as the Xenon bulbs changed, though it cost a lot of Euros. But since then this phenomenon has never again appeared. Very annoying that Audi would not even take over the full costs of the control units. I finally paid around 700 EUR.

Peter.