headlights useless

[quattr0]

Hi, i have a 2002 a3 with factory xenons but at night i cannot see much. I have noticed that when i start up the car there is no movement of the lights which i think are supposed to self level.
i have used the search function but im still not sure of the cause or how to rectify it

any advise much appreciated

 

[quattrokid]

I have this as well , dipped beam lands about 7 feet in front of the car, main beam is as it should be, is there adjustment motors for the dipped height setting?

 

[CMcKenzie]

Hi,
the self levelling is for heavy loads in the back, that's when they adjust so as not to blind road users.
Are your headlights discoloured? Mine were, so I bought some Meguiars PlastX and went over them a few times with that.

Before:

After:

Before I cleaned them with that, I didn't realise how bad they were.
If you wanted to go even further, you could wet and dry them, with increasingly finer grades, but then you have to put some protection back onto them, otherwise the UV rays will turn them yellow again.
Hope this has been of some help.
Callum.

 

[Eddie S3]

You can check that the motors are working using vagcom
Can't remember exactly where it.. 55 - Xenon Range, then go to Output tests i think?

edit: also there is this link too http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/cars/xenonalignment.html

 

[Essflee]

Try getting under the car and check the sensor. If you get under the car by the rear passenger wheel there is an arm by the rear spring, mine was broken, if yours is broken it should be obvious, this caused my lights to point at the road and were terrible at night, couldn't see much more than a few feet ahead.

 

[quattrokid]

^^^^. Oh !! thanks for that post, I'll get it checked out

 

[s3dave]

There is another on the front passenger side behind the wheel...

 

[JD09]

Hi,
the self levelling is for heavy loads in the back, that's when they adjust so as not to blind road users.

They should also adjust on start up, to show that they are at the right level. Check next time you are up against a wall/garage door - they'll move down and up again by an inch or so (if they're working!).

 

[quattr0]

Thanks for the replys guys. JD09 I thought that was the case aswel. my lights just turn on with no movement and visibility is terrible so i am assuming thay are just pointing down. I have VCDS lite so would this help in diagnosing the cause (busted sensor or motor)
I have cleaned the lenses with a 3m headlight cleaning kit and replaced all the bulbs but their still bad

They should also adjust on start up, to show that they are at the right level. Check next time you are up against a wall/garage door - they'll move down and up again by an inch or so (if they're working!).

 

[Wahlstrom]

Just done mine on my B6..
The reflector was burnt.. Plus a lot of dirt on the lens..

Reflector(should be all shiny):


Lens:



Output compare:

 

[Frazzly]

How did you repair the reflector?

 

[Wahlstrom]

Bought a regenerated pair.. I live in Europe, and found a guy in Poland who sells regenerated ones..

 

[vrbob]

Thanks for the replys guys. JD09 I thought that was the case aswel. my lights just turn on with no movement and visibility is terrible so i am assuming thay are just pointing down. I have VCDS lite so would this help in diagnosing the cause (busted sensor or motor)
I have cleaned the lenses with a 3m headlight cleaning kit and replaced all the bulbs but their still bad

The motors can get stuck and the clip that moves the lights up and down can also break (see the stickies). i took the motors off both headlights and opened them up as there is a little wheel inside that it uses to find the centre point and it cam get gummed up etc.

i cleaned it all up re assembled checked both the sensors at the frone and rear off the car were also working and then as said above if parked infront off a wall you can see when you turn the lights on that they move up and down before fixing on the level needed. you can also test it furthur by opening the boot and standing on the lip as you should see the lights move to adhust for the new angle off the car.

 

[quattr0]

The motors can get stuck and the clip that moves the lights up and down can also break (see the stickies). i took the motors off both headlights and opened them up as there is a little wheel inside that it uses to find the centre point and it cam get gummed up etc.

i cleaned it all up re assembled checked both the sensors at the frone and rear off the car were also working and then as said above if parked infront off a wall you can see when you turn the lights on that they move up and down before fixing on the level needed. you can also test it furthur by opening the boot and standing on the lip as you should see the lights move to adhust for the new angle off the car.

Thanks for the great response. so it looks like its either the motor, sensors or the clips.
is changing the clips/motors and easy job to do. im based in se london/kent and havnt found a decent specialist

 

[vrbob]

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-forum-8l-chassis/173079-s3-headlamp-adjuster-removal-refit.html

looks like someone has done a how to video

once removed i took mine apart rather than source new ones also my clips are still the normal plastic ones and hadnt snapped so just refitted them and was good to go

 

[quattr0]

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-forum-8l-chassis/173079-s3-headlamp-adjuster-removal-refit.html

looks like someone has done a how to video

once removed i took mine apart rather than source new ones also my clips are still the normal plastic ones and hadnt snapped so just refitted them and was good to go

Thanks mate

 

[quattr0]

Just to update I have just had a VCDS scan performed with no errors showing up.
so to summarise the issues are:
- poor visibility
- xenons appear to be pointing down and do not move on startup
anybody have any ideas>

 

[epox]

try to adjust the lights in vcds, run the checks and you should hear the motors running and watch and see if the lights move

 

[vfr800]

Just to update I have just had a VCDS scan performed with no errors showing up.
so to summarise the issues are:
- poor visibility
- xenons appear to be pointing down and do not move on startup
anybody have any ideas>

Using VCDS you should be able to monitor the measuring blocks on the Xenon Range controller - what voltages are measured by the sensors?

If I were you I'd remove the head light adjusters and take them apart. There are some spring contacts that get a bit lazy, if you bend them back a bit they might start working. I had a dodgy adjuster that kept dropping the light, when I took it apart from the spring contacts weren't making good contacts.

Once you get your motors working, using VCDS, you can calibrate/zero the xenon range controller.
Ross-Tech: VAG-COM: Xenon Headlamp Adjustment

The calibration will make the motors set them selves to their 'zero' position. Once this has been done you need to use the manual adjusters to set the beam to point in the correct default direction (unless they're pointing ok).

If this isn't working then you'll probably need to track down the xenon range controller where ever it's buried.