Left side Xenon light flickers and shuts down

A 8 · 01-12-2006, 05:30 AM

Anyone experianced this and know what the problem is?

The light comes on again if I turn off/on the lights. Sometimes it then stays turned on and sometimes it shuts down agian after a minute or so.
/Michael

PaulW · 01-12-2006, 05:36 AM

Mine did that.....the only real way to check it is to swap the bulbs from left to right....it's a PITA, but must be done.

Then replace both bulbs. Otherwise they won't match. Dealer price for a bulb: $175. You can buy a set on ebay for about $60 shipped.

If you don't change the 2nd one, it too will go out.

You'll need tamper proof torx bits

ZRock · 01-12-2006, 05:38 AM

Mine was doing the exact same thing. Swapping sides verified that it was the bulb, not the socket, HID ballast, etc. I bought a pair on ebay, and replaced them both, figuring that if one was dying, the other was not far behind. I did keep the old (still good) one, just as a quick fix backup.

A 8 · 01-12-2006, 05:47 AM

Ok.
Time to do a bit of work then.
Thanks!

Quattro 88 80 · 01-12-2006, 07:25 AM

Driver's side. With the car off and lights off I opened the hood looked for a connector going to the metal box behind the headlight and couldn't easily see one. I gently tapped on the box a few times and gave up thinking i would have to go to the Bentley.

Closeed the hood and haven;t had any problems with the lamp firing up since.

I know this isn't a fix or even the right way to do things, but I must have knocked whatever was interrupting the circuit free.

A 8 · 01-12-2006, 10:13 AM

My problems actually started a year ago and I had a similar approach as you then, ie fiddeling with connectors etc and it would be fine for months.

Now it comes back within a few minutes to a day or so.

A 8 · 01-12-2006, 10:21 AM

Paul,
I opened up the hood and tried to switch but it lookes very different compared to your pics. First there are no torx's, just a hatch that snaps off. The actual lamp dont seem to come off without dismantling the whole reflector unit.
I would take a picture and post if I knew how to get it in the post!?
/Michael

Dan McBoost · 01-12-2006, 01:27 PM

A 8 · 01-13-2006, 05:08 AM

I took out the whole assembly and took a closer look, it is very simple. You just press and turn and the lamp will come free.

01-12-2006, 05:36 AM	#2
PaulW AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 18,202	Almost certain: bad bulb Mine did that.....the only real way to check it is to swap the bulbs from left to right....it's a PITA, but must be done. Then replace both bulbs. Otherwise they won't match. Dealer price for a bulb: $175. You can buy a set on ebay for about $60 shipped. If you don't change the 2nd one, it too will go out. You'll need tamper proof torx bits __________________ 07 S8

01-12-2006, 05:38 AM	#3
ZRock New Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 203	Time for a new bulb (or pair of bulbs) Mine was doing the exact same thing. Swapping sides verified that it was the bulb, not the socket, HID ballast, etc. I bought a pair on ebay, and replaced them both, figuring that if one was dying, the other was not far behind. I did keep the old (still good) one, just as a quick fix backup.

01-12-2006, 05:47 AM	#4
A 8 Audiworld Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 47	Re: Left side Xenon light flickers and shuts down Ok. Time to do a bit of work then. Thanks! __________________ Black Pearl Audi A8 4.2Q -00

01-12-2006, 07:25 AM	#5
Quattro 88 80 AudiWorld Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 208	Exact same thing happened to me 2 weeks ago Driver's side. With the car off and lights off I opened the hood looked for a connector going to the metal box behind the headlight and couldn't easily see one. I gently tapped on the box a few times and gave up thinking i would have to go to the Bentley. Closeed the hood and haven;t had any problems with the lamp firing up since. I know this isn't a fix or even the right way to do things, but I must have knocked whatever was interrupting the circuit free.

01-12-2006, 10:13 AM	#6
A 8 Audiworld Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 47	Re: Exact same thing happened to me 2 weeks ago My problems actually started a year ago and I had a similar approach as you then, ie fiddeling with connectors etc and it would be fine for months. Now it comes back within a few minutes to a day or so. __________________ Black Pearl Audi A8 4.2Q -00

Welcome to AudiWorld!
		Welcome to AudiWorld.com. You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, join AudiWorld.com today!

01-12-2006, 10:21 AM	#7
A 8 Audiworld Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 47	Re: Almost certain: bad bulb Paul, I opened up the hood and tried to switch but it lookes very different compared to your pics. First there are no torx's, just a hatch that snaps off. The actual lamp dont seem to come off without dismantling the whole reflector unit. I would take a picture and post if I knew how to get it in the post!? /Michael __________________ Black Pearl Audi A8 4.2Q -00

01-12-2006, 01:27 PM	#8
Dan McBoost AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 5,758	The face lifts must be different. Ask the face lift people, or look up the Bentley info. __________________ ______________________________ Dan Mac www.mcboost.com

01-13-2006, 05:08 AM	#9
A 8 Audiworld Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 47	Re: The face lifts must be different. Ask the face lift people, or look up the Bentley info. I took out the whole assembly and took a closer look, it is very simple. You just press and turn and the lamp will come free. __________________ Black Pearl Audi A8 4.2Q -00

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode