8p S3 xenon headlight DRL broken

Dr_Rick

Dr_Rick

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Ok everyone, be nice.

I have a 59/2009 S3 Sport acknowledge and the DRL strip on the drivers / offside is starting to play up and throw a bulb error.

I'm going to work on the premise that it's not fixable and that a replacement headlight unit is needed.

I think I've got xenon as there are silver ballast boxes under each lamp unit. I presume I don't have bi-xenon, but please clarify my assumptions.

I've checked with TPS who have quoted £394+VAT. While that is what it is, I have a couple of questions:

1) Am I right that I need a new headlight?
2) Is it basic xenon?
3) Is there a sensible alternative to TPS?

Thanks in advance.

Rick

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk
 
I thought the facelift S3 had bi-xenons? And they were a lot more money than that when I last checked. Might be worth getting a part # off yours and comparing it to the tps one?
 
Offside Headlight Sticker


This is the sticker on the offending headlight. Which is the part number? I've tried a couple of combinations of what I can see there in TPS and don't get any results.
 
Ta, that suggests just a straight xenon light, and not necessarily a bi-xenon.
 
I don't know mate.
I looked at the photo and thought that number looked more like a part number than the others, so I put it into google and it brought back images of the headlight, so that confirmed to me that it was a part number. I didn't look into it any further detail, sorry.
 
@Daveyonthemove, not a problem. I did the same and noted that none of them were labelled as bi-xenon, just xenon. Hence my conclusion.
 
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Looks like you're right. I'd still double check with TPS that the Audi part number matches what you've seen on their website.
 
TPS have confirmed the 8PO941004BF is the part number, but that it is superseded. I didn't ask what it included. And they wouldn't tell me what the 'new' part number was - they're not allowed apparently.
 
@paddy, OK. I'm getting more confused.

I've got posts where people think I should have bi-xenons, then I put that number in and it brings up eBay items for basic xenons, but you think I've got halogens.

I'm sure there's a simple solution: look at the bulb. Which I will do later when I'm back with the car.
 
Bi-xenons are where the Xenon bulb provides Dipped and Full beam by moving a deflector inside the headlight unit.
If yours does this, it is Bi-xenon. If you have a separate bulb for full beam, then it is basic Xenon.
Put your VIN into the vin breakdown box on this page and you should be able to see what your car was fitted with from the factory: http://www.oemepc.com/audi
( I cant open this on my work internet, so apologies if it doesn't work for you, I can't double check.)
 
Daveyonthemove said:
Bi-xenons are where the Xenon bulb provides Dipped and Full beam by moving a deflector inside the headlight unit.
If yours does this, it is Bi-xenon. If you have a separate bulb for full beam, then it is basic Xenon.
Put your VIN into the vin breakdown box on this page and you should be able to see what your car was fitted with from the factory: http://www.oemepc.com/audi
( I cant open this on my work internet, so apologies if it doesn't work for you, I can't double check.)
Click to expand...

OK @Daveyonthemove , things got weirder. My wife has forwarded a photo of my VIN, which doesn't register in that link you sent.
S3 vin


Anyone got any explanations?
 
That website read the VIN right (although the mileage was a complete guess, which is fine).

I've spoken to my local Audi main dealer, who on the basis of my reg number confirmed that my car came with 'halogen twin headlights for gas discharge bulb'.

Or to use the colloquial term: xenons.

They also quoted me £494 for a main body unit.
 
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I had exactly the same happen to my drivers side drl on my 2010 S3 a couple of months ago, exactly the same part number as yours and managed to get a genuine replacement of that P/N for around £350 Inc vat, pm me if you need details
 
Put an ad in the classifieds at the bottom of the main forum page.
Plenty of people breaking or upgrading their cars, you might get lucky and find one in good condition at a decent price.
 
Right, to conclude all this. I eventually took the plunge / risk on eBay and ordered what was listed as a new Hella unit from an JD Motorsports for part number 1LL 009 648-421. Grand total including P&P was £288.96.

First issue was that someone seemed to have packed a left hand light (i.e. passenger side) into a right hand box (i.e. drivers side). No worries, JG Motorsports were very quick to arrange for a correct replacement to be sent out and at no extra charge to me the incorrectly packaged one was back on its way through the post.

Judicious use of YouTube to work out what exactly needed loosening / removal to allow the old one out the new one in resulted in this:

IMG 20180927 150724


Looking into the back of the light unit concluded the following:

IMG 20180927 150917


One bulb and element only so I presume I have bi-xenons. Had to transfer the control box from the base and the xenon bulb unit across, weirdly it came with an indicator bulb already installed.

Anyway, everything went back together fine and I now have DRL / indicators and headlights just fine.
 
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