absoluTT A3

Once again, a strange cryptic looking icon appears on the dashboard warning light zone. A yellow circle with an "X" through it. No circles allowed?

OK, so the daylights fade and soon it is evident that I've got a headlight out. I figured that this could be the bulb or the ballast, hoping it is the first. So I order a bulb.

Today, I turn on my lights and... what? No headlight warning? Yes, it's back. I've got both lights again. Now, I'm concerned. I thought that when a Xenon bulb goes out, it's gone. Do I have a flaky ballast then?

tylor

Loose connecter, maybe?

diehlryan

would turn lights on and get the warning but could switch off and back on and the headlight would work..

got progressively worse - would have to switch off/on a few times for light to work.

.. then it just went dark. permanently.

mad scientist

and then proceeded to melt the socket. function was intermittent and I replaced the bulb twice before I had to remove the headlight and replace the igniter.


If you call:
-audi, they will sell you a new headlight $$$$
-bosch, the igniter alone is $500
-used, closer to $50.

absoluTT A3

has been going on for some time, only noticeable on rough roads. I've brought it up to my dealer on 3 separate occasions when in for servicing and they tell me that they don't see anything wrong--"everything is tight".

Then suddenly one day I notice my headlights (both) are aiming lower. I searched on it and apparently some level controller may have failed. Certainly the jiggling couldn't have helped and maybe this caused the bulb to come loose.

Anyway, the car is going to be traded in... let the dealer discover and deal with these idiotic issues that shouldn't be cropping up in automobiles at this late stage (certainly the Japanese never have these kinds of problems).

absoluTT A3

So these bulbs can partially break down then? Interesting...

SunSeTT - Lab RaTT

piece on the end that goes into the light socket. Often if you move it back and fourth you will see your light come on, go off, come on, go off etc...

Mine has some corrosion, and every once in awhile when driving down the road it will go out then flicker... as some others have explained here too... Damn florida rain! arg

mad scientist

2500 volts to strike the arc and 80 volts IIRC to maintain it. It's kind of critical to keep the socket and igniter intact.

diehlryan

no.. i replace the ballast/ignitor. the part inside the headlamp. not on the outside.