Xenon Failure?

[hifi87]

Hi All,

I've just purchased a 2001 S3 a few days ago, but it was only last night that i noticed the main dipped beam was out on one side, i was getting the bulb warning from the dash too.

I asked about replacements at the dealers and an independent garage today, both said it could be the bulb or the amplifier unit behind it thats gone. The garage said the easiest way to check was to do some diagnostics for 35 quid, which i could live with, but they can't fit me in until Tuesday.

Is there an easier way to find out?

I'm in the Leeds area btw if anyone knows a place that could help.

Cheers!!

 

[golf]

When you turn the headlights on, does the faulty bulb flicker at all, or does it show no signs of life?

 

[hifi87]

Nothing, just the dash starts beeping telling theres a bulb out

 

[NHN]

It could also be the headlight switch as someone on here mentioned while back, I alsohad this on my old s3 wayback but just turned of then on again & it worked, was intermittant, does the bulb then comeback on if you turn headlights of then on again & the warning goes or is it all the time?

I have 2 bulbs here not used if you're interested, worked last time I tested mate.

 

[S3 HODGE]

Nothing, just the dash starts beeping telling theres a bulb out

I bet you anything its the fuse. Look in the fuse box (open drivers door and its on the end of the dash), and theres a diagram on the cover you take off. Look up the number of the fuse and cheak it. If youve got the gas bulbs then youre looking at £100 a bulb But this happend on mine after i payed £100 for a bulb then realised it was a fuse....

 

[hifi87]

Cheers guys, got a mate to double check and the light does flicker first before not coming on. Does that mean it'll probably be the bulb?

 

[S3KVN]

I know it may be a bit of a pain to do but could you not just change the o/s bulb with the n/s bulb and then if the other headlamp stops working surely that would mean the bulb is faulty, if its still the same headlamp thats not working it would mean something other than the bulb i.e amplifier?

 

[bantam1]

Ballast is a common problem. When you try the lights leave it in the on position for 15-20 seconds, switch off, and then on immediately again. If it fires up then new ballast required.

Do not pay £100 for a bulb - you can get 2 perfectly good ones for £30 or so off of fleabay.

 

[bantam1]

Just re-read your earlier post - if it flickers and then goes out i'd bet on the ballast. Try the above.

 

[S3 HODGE]

Ballast is a common problem. When you try the lights leave it in the on position for 15-20 seconds, switch off, and then on immediately again. If it fires up then new ballast required.

Do not pay £100 for a bulb - you can get 2 perfectly good ones for £30 or so off of fleabay.

I payed £100 for a Philips one of power bulbs and its amazing compared to the osram one thats in there at the moment. But im running both the osrams for now and keeping the philps one as a spare....

 

[bantam1]

I payed £100 for a Philips one of power bulbs and its amazing compared to the osram one thats in there at the moment. But im running both the osrams for now and keeping the philps one as a spare....

Sorry was just letting the OP know he needn't pay that much for a new bulb. TBH if the osrams are old bulbs any new one will look amazing in comparison. I thought the same with my £15 each e-bay jobbies.

 

[S3 HODGE]

Sorry was just letting the OP know he needn't pay that much for a new bulb. TBH if the osrams are old bulbs any new one will look amazing in comparison. I thought the same with my £15 each e-bay jobbies.

Ahh right, So your £15 ebay jobbies are better then the Osrams? One of my lights has gone dim? Maybe the bulb on its way out...

 

[bantam1]

Ahh right, So your £15 ebay jobbies are better then the Osrams? One of my lights has gone dim? Maybe the bulb on its way out...

The bulbs from e-bay were a lot better than the faded originals (whatever make they are) and for £30 for 2 a bargain as well. How they compare to other makes from new - no idea.

 

[S3 HODGE]

Thanks, I may just buy another Philips one....Another £100 out of pocket but ive already got 1 and it would be a waste not putting it in.

 

[hifi87]

Just to let you guys know i managaged to change the bulb with the light still in car, after much finger abuse.

Turns out it was the bulb, i just got a bog standard 4300K bulb from ebay for £25 a pair, so it looks pretty much the same as the otherside.

Cheers for the help!

 

[NHN]

I did say I had 2 bulbs for sale mate, oh well, at least its fixed.

 

[S3 HODGE]

Well done, Taking it out is easy....Its getting it in thats a bummer!

 

[NHN]

Glad you added "THATS" in the sentence lmao

 

[S3 HODGE]

Glad you added "THATS" in the sentence lmao

Yea if id of done that and my miss's seen it she would'nt be to happy! lol
Dirty minded man!

 

[NHN]

lmfao "She would be to happy" lol, is that a typo??

 

[S3 HODGE]

lmfao "She would be to happy" lol, is that a typo??

No its you not reading it properly! lmao.

 

[bobbyb]

Chaps,

Wondered if you could help me out... i noticeed on my S3 that my drivers side xenon headlight is gone a pink/white colour compared to the blue passenger side??

When initially turned on, both are blue, then after about 5 seconds, thedrivers side turns a slightly pink/white colour??

Any advice lads/

Cheers

Rob

 

[bobbyb]

excuse the spellings... lol its late!!