POOR PERFORMANCE FROM XENON HEADLAMPS

[w1how]

The dark nights drawing in have made me more aware that the xenon headlamps on my 53 reg tt 225 are not very good.I have noticed on my friends skoda superb(which i think has the same headlamp units)that when you switch the headlights on they glow for a few seconds and then the beam moves up with self levelling.My tt headlights just glow and stay in the same position.Is this how they are supposed to be or are they supposed to self level????Can anyone help???

[danksy]

Both of my TT's had really excellent Xenons.

When you switch on the lights should "spark" then settle down into a bright glow.

You should notice easily if the lights aren't lit properly by switching them on and standing in front of your car and having a look.

If they look bright, then maybe the auto levelling mechanism needs adjusting (VAG-COM or Audi dealer).

Otherwise it could be the ballast (aka the thing that gives the high initial charge to illuminate the xenons)

Or failing that it could be the bulb itself

Good luck fella and welcome to TSN

[Scotty]

I agree with Danksy/Dansky. On my S4 they are slightly different as they do that movement thing where as on the TT they never did.

The only time they moved was when I they needed to i.e. with a load in the boot.

[lottiefox]

Both my TTs have had/got very good xenons. They "ignite" into a crisp glow - if I put them on in front of a garage door I don't sense they do a level at all, but they do adjust if the car is laden as Scotty says.