DRL/sidelights still not working after replacing units

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Robin J

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Hi,

My DRL/sidelights gradually stopped working (2016 facelift S-line A3) - they were on and off for a bit, but eventually one gave up, then the other. I removed the DRL/indicator units from the headlights and saw both had burnt out the DRL LEDs, so I bought replacement units. I have fitted them, but neither work - I still get error codes that they aren't working (DTC 567062 and 567318), but the indicator LEDs in the units still work. Is there a fuse specifically for the DRLs? I haven't found one and all my fuses seem fine. Headlights work otherwise. I was lead to believe they don't need any coding, they are just plug and play. Do they need some kind of resetting by VCDS?

Thanks.
 
I have the same issue as you. Drivers side turned yellow then died. Replaced the DRL module which is also the indicator.
Following the replacement the new indicator works but still have a dead DRL. Contacted the seller which was www.prestigeautomotiveparts.co.uk as I thought the module as faulty but they said I need it coded.
I have VCDS and ODB11 and cant find what needs coding. Put out a post on here a while ago but cany get an reply as to what needs doing specifically.
Seems a shame having the equipment but not being able to do it and a pain replacing the part for it still not be working.

If I work it out Ill let you know. Good luck though.
 
Interesting. All the things I have read about the DRL units state there is no coding needed. The workshop manual doesn't mention it either. I am tempted to try changing at least one of the main light control units as they could possibly be the problem, but I think they would need coding. If I don't get to the bottom of it I'll probably end up taking it to my Audi specialist, but it seems it should be something I could fix, unless it's a wiring issue.
 
Robin J said:
Interesting. All the things I have read about the DRL units state there is no coding needed. The workshop manual doesn't mention it either. I am tempted to try changing at least one of the main light control units as they could possibly be the problem, but I think they would need coding. If I don't get to the bottom of it I'll probably end up taking it to my Audi specialist, but it seems it should be something I could fix, unless it's a wiring issue.
Click to expand...
Sorry for the late reply, but just coming to this. I too have never seen any reference to coding being needed. One tip I have seen is that although the modules are specific to left or right, the actual chips and wiring connectors are the same on both sides, meaning that you could temporarily switch them to see if the error changes sides (this also enables you to see if the LEDs themselves are actually working).

I finally got round to looking at mine last weekend, and got the left-hand headlight assembly out - which is quite an art in itself. The LEDs themselves were absolutely fine, but the end of the light tube was seriously melted/burnt. I was able to clean it up a bit, which has restored the DRL to a just about acceptable light. I’ll have to do the right-hand side the next free weekend.

People have done a full refurbishment, by baking open the assemblies and replacing the light tubes - which are basically like fibre optics - and this remains the only way to sort the lower DRLs. Mine are the matrix LEDs so no way am I going to mess with them any further.
 
Took the car to an Audi specialist for other work and had them look at the DRL problem. They confirmed my replacement units should work without coding and they tested them and they work - just not in my car! So there seems to be a deeper problem. I even tried a replacement light control unit, the square unit on the back of the light, as they suggested a problem in the DRL unit could have blown the main unit. But no luck, still not working.
So next stop is an auto electrician to try and find a problem further up the line.
I'll keep you posted.
 
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Right, it's a lot later, I know, I've been away - but I want to update so there's a record in case anyone else has the same problem, which I'm hoping I've nearly solved.
Auto electrician said same thing as Audi specialist: there doesn't seem to be anything wrong. I've even changed the aftermarket DRLs I bought for the proper Valeo OEM ones and had the same issue, EXCEPT that both flicker with the Valeo units. Very dimly flicker instead of lighting fully.
I still assumed there was something further 'up the line' that was wrong; both units can't be displaying the same exact problem if it's not linked. In desperation, I tried asking AI and I hope it's come back with the answer...
Body control module J519 (it's a plastic module against the passenger bulkhead that requires the glove compartment and trim out to reach) controls loads of different electrical things: exterior and interior lights, central locking, windows, washers and wipers. My lights are showing classic symptoms of not getting enough current (as I suspected) to run, but because they are getting something they're not showing up as a short, a control issue or a broken wire or anything. This points to a fault in the output stage on the BCM for the DRLs. The AI even pointed me to how to test the voltage at the pin on the back of the headlight to check and it seems correct. As it says, "There is no scenario where both DRLs fail identically, both lamps report the same fault, and the DRL feed pin is dead unless the BCM output stage has failed."
So I've found an ECU repair place that will test and hopefully repair it - it shouldn't be a difficult fix - and I'll report back. I'd rather get it repaired as I then don't have to worry about all the coding involved with a replacement, although that would be my next option and there are places who can take a spare (a second hand one is fine) and copy all the coding across.

Hopefully I'll report back in a week or two with good news.
 
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