Audi A4 "left dipped headlight" problem
01-27-2008, 10:59 PM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Audi A4 "left dipped headlight" problem
The left headlight of my 2006 Audi A4 quattro has this annoying -- and
dangerous -- problem:
1. The left headlight flickers
2. It then turns itself off
3. The message "left dipped headlight" appears
4. The message is changed to a sign indicating that the lightbulb has
failed.
If I turn the light off (Note: We're talking about driving at night
here) and turn it back on again, the light will become normal again,
for about a few minutes and then the cycle repeats itself.
This problem is intermittent. It has been occurring a lot recently
with the cold weather. I can't tell for sure whether it is
temperature related.
My Audi dealer said that Audi knows about this problem but doesn't
know how to fix it -- changing the light bulb doesn't solve the
problem.
Has anyone encounter this problem and get Audi to fix it?
.... Mike
dangerous -- problem:
1. The left headlight flickers
2. It then turns itself off
3. The message "left dipped headlight" appears
4. The message is changed to a sign indicating that the lightbulb has
failed.
If I turn the light off (Note: We're talking about driving at night
here) and turn it back on again, the light will become normal again,
for about a few minutes and then the cycle repeats itself.
This problem is intermittent. It has been occurring a lot recently
with the cold weather. I can't tell for sure whether it is
temperature related.
My Audi dealer said that Audi knows about this problem but doesn't
know how to fix it -- changing the light bulb doesn't solve the
problem.
Has anyone encounter this problem and get Audi to fix it?
.... Mike
01-27-2008, 11:04 PM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Audi A4 "left dipped headlight" problem
"mike" wrote
> My Audi dealer said that Audi knows about this problem but doesn't
> know how to fix it
They don't know how to fix it? So how are they treating this issue?
Are they giving everyone a new car instead, since the car is under
warranty and they're supposed to fix it?
Are these xenon headlights? If so, and if it's not the bulb, then maybe
it's the ballast?
Cheers,
Pete
01-28-2008, 10:23 AM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Audi A4 "left dipped headlight" problem
On Jan 27, 11:59 pm, mike <mike....@rogers.com> wrote:
> The left headlight of my 2006 Audi A4 quattro has this annoying -- and
> dangerous -- problem:
> 1. The left headlight flickers
> 2. It then turns itself off
> 3. The message "left dipped headlight" appears
> 4. The message is changed to a sign indicating that the lightbulb has
> failed.
>
> If I turn the light off (Note: We're talking about driving at night
> here) and turn it back on again, the light will become normal again,
> for about a few minutes and then the cycle repeats itself.
>
> This problem is intermittent. It has been occurring a lot recently
> with the cold weather. I can't tell for sure whether it is
> temperature related.
>
> My Audi dealer said that Audi knows about this problem but doesn't
> know how to fix it -- changing the light bulb doesn't solve the
> problem.
>
> Has anyone encounter this problem and get Audi to fix it?
>
> ... Mike
Is the car still under warranty?
You need to start going up the ladder to Audi of America. The dealer
may be saying that, but I am sure that's not what Audi wants them to
say.
My '04 has gone through several turn-signal bulbs and 2 low-beam bulbs
(non-Xenon) in 54,000 miles, which I think is a high rate of usage,
frankly. Not a big deal, but the bulbs are a pain to change,
considering you have to remove the entire headlight unit to change the
low beams and turn signals.
Dan D
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
Central NJ USA
> The left headlight of my 2006 Audi A4 quattro has this annoying -- and
> dangerous -- problem:
> 1. The left headlight flickers
> 2. It then turns itself off
> 3. The message "left dipped headlight" appears
> 4. The message is changed to a sign indicating that the lightbulb has
> failed.
>
> If I turn the light off (Note: We're talking about driving at night
> here) and turn it back on again, the light will become normal again,
> for about a few minutes and then the cycle repeats itself.
>
> This problem is intermittent. It has been occurring a lot recently
> with the cold weather. I can't tell for sure whether it is
> temperature related.
>
> My Audi dealer said that Audi knows about this problem but doesn't
> know how to fix it -- changing the light bulb doesn't solve the
> problem.
>
> Has anyone encounter this problem and get Audi to fix it?
>
> ... Mike
Is the car still under warranty?
You need to start going up the ladder to Audi of America. The dealer
may be saying that, but I am sure that's not what Audi wants them to
say.
My '04 has gone through several turn-signal bulbs and 2 low-beam bulbs
(non-Xenon) in 54,000 miles, which I think is a high rate of usage,
frankly. Not a big deal, but the bulbs are a pain to change,
considering you have to remove the entire headlight unit to change the
low beams and turn signals.
Dan D
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
Central NJ USA
01-28-2008, 10:38 AM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Audi A4 "left dipped headlight" problem
On Jan 28, 12:04 am, "Pete" <non...@nodomain.com> wrote:
> "mike" wrote
>
> > My Audi dealer said that Audi knows about this problem but doesn't
> > know how to fix it
>
> They don't know how to fix it? So how are they treating this issue?
> Are they giving everyone a new car instead, since the car is under
> warranty and they're supposed to fix it?
>
> Are these xenon headlights? If so, and if it's not the bulb, then maybe
> it's the ballast?
>
> Cheers,
> Pete
The Audi is still under warranty. The headlight is the self-leveling,
self-adjusting kind.
My Audi dealer called and said they are going to re-flash the
headlight. Hope it works this time. In the past, they have re-
flashed it once and changed the bulb once. But the problem is still
there.
.... Mike
P.S. This is disappointing. Other than a few annoying things, the
Audi is such a nice car, particularly in Winter.
> "mike" wrote
>
> > My Audi dealer said that Audi knows about this problem but doesn't
> > know how to fix it
>
> They don't know how to fix it? So how are they treating this issue?
> Are they giving everyone a new car instead, since the car is under
> warranty and they're supposed to fix it?
>
> Are these xenon headlights? If so, and if it's not the bulb, then maybe
> it's the ballast?
>
> Cheers,
> Pete
The Audi is still under warranty. The headlight is the self-leveling,
self-adjusting kind.
My Audi dealer called and said they are going to re-flash the
headlight. Hope it works this time. In the past, they have re-
flashed it once and changed the bulb once. But the problem is still
there.
.... Mike
P.S. This is disappointing. Other than a few annoying things, the
Audi is such a nice car, particularly in Winter.
02-01-2008, 09:43 PM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Audi A4 "left dipped headlight" problem
On Sun, 27 Jan 2008 20:59:03 -0800, mike wrote:
> The left headlight of my 2006 Audi A4 quattro has this annoying -- and
> dangerous -- problem:
> 1. The left headlight flickers
> 2. It then turns itself off
> 3. The message "left dipped headlight" appears
> 4. The message is changed to a sign indicating that the lightbulb has
> failed.
>
I have an '02 A4 with the same problem. I notice it more in the winter
then the summer. I do not know any fix for this so if you happen to come
across any I would be thankful if you would pass on this information.
--
Regards
Robert
Smile... it increases your face value!
Linux User #296285
http://counter.li.org
> The left headlight of my 2006 Audi A4 quattro has this annoying -- and
> dangerous -- problem:
> 1. The left headlight flickers
> 2. It then turns itself off
> 3. The message "left dipped headlight" appears
> 4. The message is changed to a sign indicating that the lightbulb has
> failed.
>
I have an '02 A4 with the same problem. I notice it more in the winter
then the summer. I do not know any fix for this so if you happen to come
across any I would be thankful if you would pass on this information.
--
Regards
Robert
Smile... it increases your face value!
Linux User #296285
http://counter.li.org
02-17-2008, 06:54 PM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Audi A4 "left dipped headlight" problem
On Feb 1, 10:43 pm, Robert <no...@noplace.nowhere> wrote:
> On Sun, 27 Jan 2008 20:59:03 -0800, mike wrote:
> > The left headlight of my 2006 Audi A4 quattro has this annoying -- and
> > dangerous -- problem:
> > 1. The left headlight flickers
> > 2. It then turns itself off
> > 3. The message "left dipped headlight" appears
> > 4. The message is changed to a sign indicating that the lightbulb has
> > failed.
>
> I have an '02 A4 with the same problem. I notice it more in the winter
> then the summer. I do not know any fix for this so if you happen to come
> across any I would be thankful if you would pass on this information.
>
> --
>
> Regards
> Robert
>
> Smile... it increases your face value!
> Linux User #296285http://counter.li.org
I can't believe it!
I took my A4 to the garage and two things were done:
- the code (presumably software version) for the light were checked
and it was correct
- the igniter was changed
And the result?
- the problem with intermittent going out problem disappeared
- the same problem begins to occur on the right headlight !
I can't believe it!
> On Sun, 27 Jan 2008 20:59:03 -0800, mike wrote:
> > The left headlight of my 2006 Audi A4 quattro has this annoying -- and
> > dangerous -- problem:
> > 1. The left headlight flickers
> > 2. It then turns itself off
> > 3. The message "left dipped headlight" appears
> > 4. The message is changed to a sign indicating that the lightbulb has
> > failed.
>
> I have an '02 A4 with the same problem. I notice it more in the winter
> then the summer. I do not know any fix for this so if you happen to come
> across any I would be thankful if you would pass on this information.
>
> --
>
> Regards
> Robert
>
> Smile... it increases your face value!
> Linux User #296285http://counter.li.org
I can't believe it!
I took my A4 to the garage and two things were done:
- the code (presumably software version) for the light were checked
and it was correct
- the igniter was changed
And the result?
- the problem with intermittent going out problem disappeared
- the same problem begins to occur on the right headlight !
I can't believe it!
02-27-2008, 01:47 PM
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Audi A4 "left dipped headlight" problem
On Feb 17, 7:54 pm, mike <mike....@rogers.com> wrote:
> On Feb 1, 10:43 pm, Robert <no...@noplace.nowhere> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Sun, 27 Jan 2008 20:59:03 -0800, mike wrote:
> > > The left headlight of my 2006 Audi A4 quattro has this annoying -- and
> > > dangerous -- problem:
> > > 1. The left headlight flickers
> > > 2. It then turns itself off
> > > 3. The message "left dipped headlight" appears
> > > 4. The message is changed to a sign indicating that the lightbulb has
> > > failed.
>
> > I have an '02 A4 with the same problem. I notice it more in the winter
> > then the summer. I do not know any fix for this so if you happen to come
> > across any I would be thankful if you would pass on this information.
>
> > --
>
> > Regards
> > Robert
>
> > Smile... it increases your face value!
> > Linux User #296285http://counter.li.org
>
> I can't believe it!
>
> I took my A4 to the garage and two things were done:
> - the code (presumably software version) for the light were checked
> and it was correct
> - the igniter was changed
>
> And the result?
> - the problem with intermittent going out problem disappeared
> - the same problem begins to occur on the right headlight !
>
> I can't believe it!- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Interesting... I have been having the left dipped headlight problem on
my 2005.5 (06 style) Audi A4 with Xenons. I have taken it to the
dealer twice. This time the replaced the whole headlight. What happens
as soon as my lights come on? Same thing. Did they even friggin test
it? The last time I was there it went off before I even pulled out of
the service center. I love the car, but I cannot be flipping my lights
on and off every few miles at night. Oh, and the left headlight is now
pointing significantly higher than the right, very irritating to say
the least. Did you ever get this sorted out?
> On Feb 1, 10:43 pm, Robert <no...@noplace.nowhere> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Sun, 27 Jan 2008 20:59:03 -0800, mike wrote:
> > > The left headlight of my 2006 Audi A4 quattro has this annoying -- and
> > > dangerous -- problem:
> > > 1. The left headlight flickers
> > > 2. It then turns itself off
> > > 3. The message "left dipped headlight" appears
> > > 4. The message is changed to a sign indicating that the lightbulb has
> > > failed.
>
> > I have an '02 A4 with the same problem. I notice it more in the winter
> > then the summer. I do not know any fix for this so if you happen to come
> > across any I would be thankful if you would pass on this information.
>
> > --
>
> > Regards
> > Robert
>
> > Smile... it increases your face value!
> > Linux User #296285http://counter.li.org
>
> I can't believe it!
>
> I took my A4 to the garage and two things were done:
> - the code (presumably software version) for the light were checked
> and it was correct
> - the igniter was changed
>
> And the result?
> - the problem with intermittent going out problem disappeared
> - the same problem begins to occur on the right headlight !
>
> I can't believe it!- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Interesting... I have been having the left dipped headlight problem on
my 2005.5 (06 style) Audi A4 with Xenons. I have taken it to the
dealer twice. This time the replaced the whole headlight. What happens
as soon as my lights come on? Same thing. Did they even friggin test
it? The last time I was there it went off before I even pulled out of
the service center. I love the car, but I cannot be flipping my lights
on and off every few miles at night. Oh, and the left headlight is now
pointing significantly higher than the right, very irritating to say
the least. Did you ever get this sorted out?
06-25-2008, 03:32 PM
#9
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 1
Re: Audi A4 "left dipped headlight" problem
Hi. Just wondering if you guys resolved your problem. I'm having the exact same thing with my 2005.5 (dipped left headlight). The dealer reflashed the software, but no dice. It seems to happen--if I'm not mistaken--in parkades. I don't know if it's the bumps/turns in the parkades or the light sensors (even though I manually turn on the lights) or what. Have you guys noticed any pattern(s)? Very frustrating. And exact same problem as Mike describes.
09-12-2008, 06:16 PM
#10
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 1
Re: Audi A4 "left dipped headlight" problem
I had the same problem on my 2006 A4 and kept going back to the dealer since it was under warranty. Took some effort but after 4 or 5 visits complaining about the same problem, insisting they give me a loaner car for the day each time and having them try something different everytime (reflashing, changing the bulb, reflashing again, replacing the sensor etc) they finally replaced the entire LHS headlight unit AND that fixed the problem. I have not seen "left dipped headlight" for 4 months now.
