Xenon flickering

[tak1986]

Hi all,
Just picked up my b7 s4 couple of weeks ago, the xenon headlight start flickering, went to Audi for servicing and checked the problem, I have been told it was causing by the low voltage of the battery. The problem has come back, the flickering was randomly (both side, not at the same time) . Anyone has the same problem before on the b6 or b7?

Also want to conform if they uses th d1s bulb and if it's easy to change th bulb?

Cheers
Sam

[Rick_RS4]

do a search, but its the bulbs that need replacing due to the cold weather

[grum71]

I had a similar problem on my B6 S4. Changed the bulb with little difference (after a day or so) - it turned out to be the ballasts (http://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?f= ... 31#p358831) Bought a replacement, fitted, problem solved:

http://www.allpartssouthwest.com/html/find_us.html

Very helpful and cheap (from memory)

On the B6 the headlight removal is straight forward whereas I believe it's a bumper off job to do the same on the B7 (no doubt a B7 owner can confirm/deny this)

Good luck

Grahame

[tak1986]

Found out both light bulb and control unit are faulty!

spoken to paul at all parts today, probably will get some on order very soon.

also found a slight condensation on off side head light ,

the first couple of weeks of ownership isn't good so far, spending wise haha.

Cheers
Sam

[S4Tom]

I had/have exactly the same problem.

Its more than likely the ballasts causing this problem to start with, which after a while in turn causes the bulb..

I believe the ballast pulls a stupidly high voltage for the initial "switching on" time, maybe 3-4 mins. this is the only time my lights flicker, once they are warmed up they are fine..

i believe it is quite common and has been discussed loads on audi SRS forums..

Hope this helps a little

[gottanS]

Sam,

You say you have just picked up your S4, if you have just bought the car and from a dealer/trader then it would be covered by them as they are liable for any faults identified in the first 6 months, this is enshrined in law. If you bought privately then there is no protection or help.

Reading your initial post and the supposed 'low battery voltage' fault, if the engine is running when the lights are flickering then low battery voltage could be the alternator not regulating properly rather than the battery itself but it still sounds strange as xenon headlamps don't run at 12VDC, according to wikipedia they are either 85VAC or 42VDC so flickering is most likely to be the ballast/control circuit.

Hope this helps.

Pete

[s4Thorny]

hi all

ive just bought a 2006 s4 avant and when i was out test driving it noticed one bulb was flickering so told the dealer he asured me he would fit a new bulb which he must of because there is no flicker but now i have two different colour lights one blue "original" and one white "new one" ?????

any help would be great as i need amo to go back to him with

[BlingBling]

Take it back to the dealer and make them put it right. Say you got pulled by the fuzz.

[grum71]

That sounds painful!

[s4Thorny]

Take it back to the dealer and make them put it right. Say you got pulled by the fuzz.

That's the plan but what is the correct bulb as standard ??

[s4Thorny]

Hello ! Anyone know???

[grum71]

http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/D1S-Xe ... White.html

http://www.consumabulbs.com/files/bdet. ... fAodKhkn1g

http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/30065149 ... sbar&cbt=y

Amazing what google can do. I also have 2 old bulbs (100% working which I read the details from - so cheated a little)

Happy to help

[s4Thorny]

Nice one cheers grum did try and google but just don't have the time with a little one taking up all my home time
Thanks

[s4Thorny]

Grum would you sell???

[grum71]

Although these are 100% working (I had 2 nights of complete nightmares with bulbs and ballasts) they are old and so wouldn't want to pass them on (will just keep in a cupboard for spares that I'll probably never use). My advice would be to buy a pair - or pass the info onto Audi and allow them to foot the bill.
Good luck