Headlights very low and poor

Richyboyp

Richyboyp

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Ok so I have xenons and I really do struggle to see. I've taken two pics. 1st: dipped
2nd: main beam
I don't have high beam assist but I do have adaptive lights. I'm stationary on the pics but it's a real dark road so it's a good demo. From the drivers seat it's almost only 2-2.5m of light on dipped. As they cut off too I find I struggle to see ahead. I first noticed this while mway driving with no street lights. If the road bends you cross lanes as it's not visible. To be fair main beam although right in front is awesome! Distance is very poor. Anyone have the same issue? Is it a dealer visit? ImageUploadedByTapatalk1391941522916263ImageUploadedByTapatalk1391941534164253
 
I have LEDs so not an expert on the Xenon variations, but do you have the option to manually adjust the headlight range with adaptive Xenons? Looks like they are wound down to their most dipped setting.
 
Thanks for the reply. No option to adjust, self leveling. It's a dealer setting required I think unless someone knows better :)
 
What about turning off the adaptive light option and/or range control (if you have that option)?
 
audi upgrades
I having the exact same issue with my new BMW 320d company car. Now I know it's not an Audi but bare with me....

It also has adaptive xenon lights and I find the light colour too yellow and the beam (when not doing its adaptive dancing around) does not project very well. In fact I've never had Xenons that have such a low projection. My Audi A1 Xenons are super bright and have a much wider angle with a good projection up the road. The BMW ones are terrible unless the adaptive function is doing its work.

The BMW went in to the dealer last November and they advised me that it's a common complaint with their system and there is nothing wrong with it - due to the adaptive function and the continuous swivelling they "start" from a low position so they can do the various angles. The courtesy car I recently had from BMW which had Xenons without the adaptive function were totally different, brighter and better reach up the road.

Now I have noticed that the BMW headlights are made by a company called Automotive Lighting who also make the Audi A1 Xenons. Long shot but maybe it's the same with Audi A3 adaptive lights ?
 
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Pulp. Seems like you and I are in the same boat. I've just visited the dealer but as guessed, no technician on a Sunday. Will call and arranges visit in the week. I'm going to in the meantime turn off adaptive and see if that makes a difference.
TFSI. I can see why you'd say that, the pics don't really show just how bad it is
 
Richyboyp said:
Pulp. Seems like you and I are in the same boat. I've just visited the dealer but as guessed, no technician on a Sunday. Will call and arranges visit in the week. I'm going to in the meantime turn off adaptive and see if that makes a difference.
TFSI. I can see why you'd say that, the pics don't really show just how bad it is
Click to expand...

From your original post I knew exactly what you meant. Try a car with out adaptive and you will see the difference.

I think the issue is with adaptive lights they point to the ground at a slightly lower angle to aid the various adjustments they make upwards etc. BUT if the adaptive function is turned off they still sit lower and therefore project up the road poorly.
 
My guess is is an adjustment that needs doing at the dealer. Just a note. I had an accident in my car at the beginning of jan. Only just had it back. There was no headlight damage or replacement. I'd end up on top of a hedge though. Front bumper replaced and some undercarriage protection replaced. Laser aligned but no change required as nothing moved or bent. I'm wondering how it knows the car level? Maybe sensors on the wishbones? Could one be damaged or a wire damaged? This is a potential. I'm going to Audi 1st then back to repair agent to get sorted. They really weren't like this before.
 
Most do have an adjuster you can get at if you can find it. I'll have a look at mine and see if I can find it. (I know where it is on a Mini)
But probably better to get the dealer to do it. They do look a tad low.
 
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I have standard S-line xenons on my A3. I took mine into dealership (Plymouth) for a promotional/free winter health check, and one of the jobs done was a small software upgrade. Apparently it was something to do with the beam reach of the xenons. Chap in there said that it wasn't anything major, but they would try and do each new car as they came back in.

Cheers, Paul.
 
steeve said:
Most do have an adjuster you can get at if you can find it. I'll have a look at mine and see if I can find it. (I know where it is on a Mini)
But probably better to get the dealer to do it. They do look a tad low.
Click to expand...

I agree - get the dealer to do it. They have all the right equipment to calibrate them correctly, whereas you are in danger of becoming a hazard to other road users if you try it yourself.
 
cemerson said:
I agree - get the dealer to do it. They have all the right equipment to calibrate them correctly, whereas you are in danger of becoming a hazard to other road users if you try it yourself.
Click to expand...

This is my concern as I know how frustrating it is when someone behind has one light higher than the other or if both are set too high it's blinding even more. Will get dealer to sort.
As for the software update for the beam reach. This could be what I need? Ill book in next week and mention this too👍
 
Would be interesting to see how they perform on a beam setter. To see if its so low to be illegal. You would def have a case then going back to Audi.
 
Trev that's a good point. I do have a buddy who owns a garage, he does MOT's so he has the beam setter. Problem is I now live 200 mile away from him
:( doh
 
Looks ok to me in the photos.

With my 8P and Mk6 GTI I could run xenon auto levelling via VCDS which would sort out any issues. It seemed to happen when the cars suspension was lowered e.g. the sensors would see the car as fully loaded as the ride height has been reduced and reduce the beam as much as possible. After running the levelling via VCDS, it was ok. I don't know if this is the same on the 8V and cannot test as I have LED headlights.
 
My theory is. With the recent knock I had, the bonnet hinge restraint things poped hence requiring new ones and then resetting the airbag light. Maybe as it was not done at the dealers the unit they used to reset may have only had the option for normal height suspension. I have the lower SLine setup. So as you say about yours needing resetting after lowering, maybe mine is programmed at the normal height and thinks it's loaded hence pointing down. Hmmmm. Food for thought here. I will mention this also to the dealer. Good info guys. But trust me on the comments that say they look fine. They really are bad. Driving it you'd understand. 👍
 
Richyboyp said:
My theory is. With the recent knock I had, the bonnet hinge restraint things poped hence requiring new ones and then resetting the airbag light. Maybe as it was not done at the dealers the unit they used to reset may have only had the option for normal height suspension. I have the lower SLine setup. So as you say about yours needing resetting after lowering, maybe mine is programmed at the normal height and thinks it's loaded hence pointing down. Hmmmm. Food for thought here. I will mention this also to the dealer. Good info guys. But trust me on the comments that say they look fine. They really are bad. Driving it you'd understand. 👍
Click to expand...

Just saw you're in Stoke mate. I'm in Castle. Come round and have a play on VCDS if you want?
 
Puedes regularlo manualmente girando un tornillo blanco que hay en los faros.
 
Andess said:
Puedes regularlo manualmente girando un tornillo blanco que hay en los faros.
Click to expand...

Yes but I don't want them to be un leve. if I can do it via plugging it in that's what I'd rather.
Plus it wasn't like this before. Thanks for the info though :)
 
In A6 C6
Ajuste de altura de faros:

Basic Setting
Headlight Adjustement
[Select]
[55 - Xenon Range]
[Basic Settings - 04]
Group 001
[Go!]
Activar el ajuste básico.
[ON/OFF/Next]

Las medidas a tomar:

El campo bloque muestra ahora "Espera" y debe cambiar a "Ajuste faros", este cambio puede durar hasta 10 segundos.
Ajuste entonces los faros con la llave allen de manera normal, hasta alcanzar su objetivo de altura.
[ON/OFF/Next]
El ajuste debe quedar guardado
[Done, Go Back]
No se olvide comprobar y borrar los códigos de error después.
[Close Controller, Go Back - 06]
 
I don't have a vcds but I know a man who has. If the dealer fails me then I'll give what you say a try. Thanks
 
I actually have the same problem with the LED headlight ! they are so low I find it dangerous !!
 
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Yep I think so. It's bin 4 weeks since I drove it and I haven't turned the lights on in the dark yet. Stupid as that sounds.
I'm going out soon so I will check if the calibrate. I have turned off adaptive light earlier so I'll do a few checks and report back
 
snowfree52 said:
I actually have the same problem with the LED headlight ! they are so low I find it dangerous !!
Click to expand...

This is interesting as I don't seem to have this problem. Do yours extend the range to a better setting above 60mph?
 
well you actually made me think about it and I just went and raised them manually.

you need an Allen key and the hole on the car is in white plastic. just remember how much you turned and do the same on both headlights

@snakehips : not sure, should do it as it's standard, but in most case when I think I don't see anything it's when I drive at lower speed than that
 
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1392211706293207ImageUploadedByTapatalk1392211714624818
Ok so compare theses pics. They are of my caddy van.
Both are dipped. 1 is lights set at lowest 2 is highest. Now before someone says how much weights in the van. Well pretty much empty. Maybe 100kg max.
My point here is even on the lowest height setting the light is better than my a3. The caddy Set at the highest almost compares with main beam of my a3

Thoughts
 
As this issue seems to have coincided with your 'off' then I suspect it's a headlight alignment or baseline levelling issue so a trip back to the garage.
 
snowfree52 said:
I actually have the same problem with the LED headlight ! they are so low I find it dangerous !!
Click to expand...

Interesting. I was thinking this today. The LED lights on dipped are very low. Full beam is great however. Have you tested since adjustment? Any pics? Ta
 
yes I tried, I drive everyday at night. gave it 1 and half turn with the allen key and it's already better, will need more turning though

no pics
 
snowfree52 said:
yes I tried, I drive everyday at night. gave it 1 and half turn with the allen key and it's already better, will need more turning though

no pics
Click to expand...

Cheers wil give it a go. Wonder why they are so low?
 
Main beam is the same bulb but with the shade removed so will be just fine. Dipped beam is only the same bulb with a shade on it
 
I had this problem with the Xenons on my a3 8v, the dealer adjusted and they are much better now I think the bulbs they use could be brighter like on mercs
 
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