Stroget

Hi -

I have a 2012 Q5 2.0T. My Left Dipped Headlight/Main Beam Headlight warning light just came on. Sometimes my headlight is on and sometimes it goes off (while the right one stays on). I called the dealer and they said it would cost $300 to replace the headlight...$200 for the Xenon headlight and $100 for labor. Seems very high to me (I had my right one replaced last year). Few questions...

- Does it look like the headlight needs to be replaced given that sometime it is on and sometimes it is off (it does not get yellowish)? Could it be a fuse?
- I looked at the how-to section to replace it myself and it seems like I can do it...question is where do I get the bulb. I called Audi and they sell them for $200. Is that crazy or is that normal? Can anyone recommend another place to get the bulb (NAPA, online, Autozone, etc.)?

Any help/suggestions would be great.

Thanks!

uberwgn

I've never changed the bulb on our Q5, have no idea what's involved. It's a D3S bulb. I see them very cheap on eBay. I'd probably buy the Philips bulb from rockauto or ECS Tuning, etc. I would likely replace both bulbs.

Bob Petruska

I could also be light control module (one each side), the best thing to do is swap bulbs and see if the bad one still stays bad, or the good one goes bad, after the swap. If the bad bulb gets good, and the good goes bad, then suspect the control module on the bad side

The swap control modules to determine if it is a module or something else.

As uberwgn stated change both bulbs at the same time, as if you only change the one bulb, the light output intensity and color could be different between bulbs. That just depends if you are picky about that.

Stroget

Thanks for the response. I will try the bulb first...seems like the light control module is quite expensive. I had my right bulb changed and didn't notice a difference. Question - Phillips or Sylvania? Seems like the Phillips is cheaper.

Bob Petruska

When I say "swap" I mean your current right and left bulbs. If you have a bad module then you will waste the cash on the bulb(s). Swapping bulbs will solve the guessing.

If you by "one" non-Audi bulb, you need to match the light output color temperature of your current good bulb, 4300K, 6000K, 8000K, etc., better to buy a new pair to get a good match.

Most likely it is the bulb, but this is an Audi and you never know...........

uncleiggy

This ^^^
I had to replace my left bulb a while ago and mechanic suggested the very same approach, 1st swap bulbs, discard the burnt one, buy a new set and keep the "old" working one as a spare for an emergency.

Stroget

Thank you everyone for relying. I went to another mechanic and they also quoted me $300. So - I took the advice I received here - bought a Philips D3S bulb from Tire Rack (free next day delivery) for $66 and installed it in 15 minutes. Piece of cake and works great. Make sure that you wear rubber gloves if you do it. Thanks.

mancerator

Hello Stroget. In addition to a 2017 Q5 also have a 2014 Grand Cherokee Overland with Xenon HID lighting and my passenger bulb was dim, off color, would sometimes flicker or even shut off completely. After reading Jeep Garage forum posts determined it was likely the bulb which it turns out is also a D3S. I went to www.xenondepot.com and searched options by vehicle. The original bulbs were 4300K which is I understand a whiteness rating and there were various whiteness ratings, prices and manufacturers to choose from. I chose to upgrade to 6000K which came in pairs for $202.49. I replaced both yesterday and kept the working old one as an emergency spare though I'm inclined to always replace them in pairs just to be safe and to keep the colors consistent. It took about an hour and I also went through several pairs of Nitrile gloves due to tight access ripping them up but agree it's worth doing yourself if you can.

billm0066

The error message is indicating the bulb is out. The most likely issue is your bulb is no longer working and needs to be replaced, but HID bulbs should always be changed in pairs. Nobody here can predict the future for you so just buy bulbs and see what happens. Try pulling both oem bulbs and see if the one that is out looks different.

Bob Petruska

He fixed 3 months ago with a new bulb, read the above message #7...………...