Left Dipped Headlight
02-21-2010, 11:23 AM
#1
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Richmond Hill
Posts: 7
Left Dipped Headlight
Hi
Looking for any suggestions.
I know this is a common problem with 2006 Audi A4's so I hope to find a few suggestions on how to correct the problem.
It should be noted that my cars warranty has expired.
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 and turn it back on again, the light will become normal again,
for about a few minutes and then the cycle repeats itself.
At one point, my right headlight even started flickering.
I checked the voltage for the headlight recently and it is obviously an electrical problem because the voltage changed between the mid 20's to almost nothing at some points. No constant stream.
I have heard suggestions about changing the bulb, ballast, or control unit.
I would really appreciate any help as I know that if I take it to Audi, I will have a huge bill to take care of when they're done.
Thank you
Looking for any suggestions.
I know this is a common problem with 2006 Audi A4's so I hope to find a few suggestions on how to correct the problem.
It should be noted that my cars warranty has expired.
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 and turn it back on again, the light will become normal again,
for about a few minutes and then the cycle repeats itself.
At one point, my right headlight even started flickering.
I checked the voltage for the headlight recently and it is obviously an electrical problem because the voltage changed between the mid 20's to almost nothing at some points. No constant stream.
I have heard suggestions about changing the bulb, ballast, or control unit.
I would really appreciate any help as I know that if I take it to Audi, I will have a huge bill to take care of when they're done.
Thank you
02-21-2010, 12:13 PM
#2
Re: Left Dipped Headlight
Do a contuinuity test on the bulb, see if the bulb still completes the circuit, if it does which it should by the sounds of things, then it is your ballast/ignitor acting up. These are about $900, but dodge uses the same ones according to another member and those are $200 but they are for the B6, I would wait and see if the guy replies to this post and if it is made for the B7. I know that you have seperate ignitors on the B7 and those are a common problem.
02-21-2010, 01:35 PM
#3
Audi Forum - Posts like an A3
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: calgary
Posts: 59
Re: Left Dipped Headlight
What kind of bulbs do you need? I have 2 bulbs, which seem to be ok.. I had similar problems to you.. and it turned out to be the ballast.
On the B6, the ballast is actually equiv to a MOPAR part.. if you take the ballast out, can you get the part # off it? Do a google on it.. and I bet there will be another vehicle that uses it.
Sean
On the B6, the ballast is actually equiv to a MOPAR part.. if you take the ballast out, can you get the part # off it? Do a google on it.. and I bet there will be another vehicle that uses it.
Sean
02-21-2010, 03:06 PM
#4
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Richmond Hill
Posts: 7
Re: Left Dipped Headlight
My car uses D1S bulbs. I am not sure if it is the bulb that is causing this though. Seems to be linked to the electricals. I am debating as to whether to change the ballast or the control unit.
It has become really frustrating because it seems that I will not know the problem until I begin replacing parts.
And I feel like if I change the ballast for the left headlight, the right side will then start flickering. I say this because it has already flickered a bit. Just not as much as the left side.
On top of all that, today my daytime bulb completly turned off, and it wont even turn back on.
It has become really frustrating because it seems that I will not know the problem until I begin replacing parts.
And I feel like if I change the ballast for the left headlight, the right side will then start flickering. I say this because it has already flickered a bit. Just not as much as the left side.
On top of all that, today my daytime bulb completly turned off, and it wont even turn back on.
02-21-2010, 03:58 PM
#5
Audi Forum - Posts like an A3
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: calgary
Posts: 59
Re: Left Dipped Headlight
yikes... sounds very similar to mine.
have you tried swapping bulbs/ballasts? in my case i took everything apart, tested power outputs, made sure ballasts were getting juice.. replaced the bulbs, then ballasts..
i hate to tell you.. but in my experience.. apparently when bulbs start burning out.. the alternator is getting ready to pack it in..
i had bulbs burning out for a few weeks.... and then bang... alternator went. apparently when the alternator goes it begins supplying to much juice, which fries everything... you'd think it would be designed to fail lowering voltage...
have you tried swapping bulbs/ballasts? in my case i took everything apart, tested power outputs, made sure ballasts were getting juice.. replaced the bulbs, then ballasts..
i hate to tell you.. but in my experience.. apparently when bulbs start burning out.. the alternator is getting ready to pack it in..
i had bulbs burning out for a few weeks.... and then bang... alternator went. apparently when the alternator goes it begins supplying to much juice, which fries everything... you'd think it would be designed to fail lowering voltage...
02-21-2010, 07:58 PM
#8
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 9
Re: Left Dipped Headlight
I had the same issue with my '06 A4 as well, they changed the ballast because they overheat and burn the cable connectors or something.
My service advisor then told me it was a known problem and a service bulletin was issued in the past in that regard. You may be able to get a free replacement with a little bit of screaming....
My service advisor then told me it was a known problem and a service bulletin was issued in the past in that regard. You may be able to get a free replacement with a little bit of screaming....
02-21-2010, 09:03 PM
#9
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Richmond Hill
Posts: 7
Re: Left Dipped Headlight
Hmm...so it seems my choices are between the ignitor and the ballast.
The audi dealerships have been no help in the past. I could try screaming and letting them know about the bulletins (numbers have been noted), but I doubt that they will do anything without first "looking and testing ($$$)".
Anyone know where I can get a ballast or ignitor for a good price? These seem to be the best solution as this time.
The audi dealerships have been no help in the past. I could try screaming and letting them know about the bulletins (numbers have been noted), but I doubt that they will do anything without first "looking and testing ($$$)".
Anyone know where I can get a ballast or ignitor for a good price? These seem to be the best solution as this time.
