S4 b8 self levelling lights problem

[WOJ]

Hi all. As title states my s4 developed a fault of some kind. Originally after few days of ownership I spotted one evening that right front headlamp is having some spastic movement by going up and down constantly for about 30sec till it's settled to correct level. While the left front was ok done one movement and it settled.

So I kind of ignored it till today when I was on the way back home. I didn't spotted this till I got on to pitch black A27. Both front head lamps been pointing down. I stopped few times and switched them on and off but nothing helped.

Which got me thinking. Did motors failed? Is there some kind of error registered preventing it from working normal? I suppose I won't find out till I get it scan? Any ideas where to look? Would carista app tell me errors like this? I don't personally own one yet. It I thinking of buying this app as it might be cost effective comparing to prices for each scan that I would have to pay every time is something wrong with the car.

Any advice much appreciated.

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[Klickflip]

Hi mate, I had similar on my old b7 .

Turns out the levelling sensor was cracked and wire , hit by stones when driving up a forest track.

Do you get a beep and headlight warning light on dash as well?

I believe the sensor is located on the drivers side front control arm near the brakes / hub but slightly behind . My b7 was the passenger side tho.

They are cheap and easy to replace . I had to splice mine with electrical tape and gaffer clip it back together and it’s still holding 5 years on.

Could be a cracked wire as well running off the sensor are they are exposed and not the best design.

 

[WOJ]

Cheers for answer.

There is no lights or sounds on dashboard.

Will try to look for the sensor but I'm not good with cars and never been. Can build you racing drone pc or service /repair you motorcycle but car for some reason is magic for me.

Today when I started the car lights didn't moved what's so ever and they didn't pointed down anymore. Very weird as Last night when I switched the car off they stayed pointing down.

Now they are pointing slightly to high.

I will contact dealer that I bought the car off and see what he can do as there is 3months warranty with the car. Any suggestions in case he will try to foob me off...?

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[Klickflip]

Cheers for answer.

There is no lights or sounds on dashboard.

Will try to look for the sensor but I'm not good with cars and never been. Can build you racing drone pc or service /repair you motorcycle but car for some reason is magic for me.

Today when I started the car lights didn't moved what's so ever and they didn't pointed down anymore. Very weird as Last night when I switched the car off they stayed pointing down.

Now they are pointing slightly to high.

I will contact dealer that I bought the car off and see what he can do as there is 3months warranty with the car. Any suggestions in case he will try to foob me off...?

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I would definitely chat with / pressure dealer if it’s within 3 months and they gave you a warranty or verbal assurance.
As this is a huge safety and legal issue , push that point nicely! At this time of year could be deadly..
I’m sure that legally if your xenons are not self levelling then they are illegal on the road.
you could be pulled by police , or held resp0nsible for an accident or causing incident to other road users.
As could he, for supplying a defective car or refusing to repair..

I’d say it’s the levelling sensor before the motors . If motors went then they would prob be stuck in one postition and both be pointing different directions.

Mine did it sporadically for 6 months before it was happening every time and then I fixed it.
The warning beep and light would sometimes come on and go out again - then it gave up coming on again when it was really bad. Maybe someone has removed one of the fuses or wires if that’s possible, or vcds etc. Or maybe only one of the wires is broke .

I fixed this myself because it is an electrical problem , as I’m better with wires and soldering!

It’s quick and cheap to replace the sensor , so don’t imagine they’d object if they are a decent dealer. And imagine the motors are equally cheap to replace compared to many things on an Audi.
Remember This isn’t a £1000 car we’re talking about either.

 

[WOJ]

So I didn't manage to phone up dealer that I got car off as of yet. But I captured problem on the video. It's seems that left headlamp don't adjust anymore and right yet again has spastic movement. Will update what dealer said when I phone them and check out video if you fancy.

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[WOJ]

Sorry I uploaded photo. My mistake. Just tried video and is not letting me upload for some reason.

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[Ape988]

Am i mistaken or the car in the pic is running/idle? Whats up with all the faults?

 

[WOJ]

Am i mistaken or the car in the pic is running/idle? Whats up with all the faults?

I even didn't realised this that picture looking this way. No it doesn't have them faults I was rushing to capture the movement of the light so as it's started up I took picture straight away and lights on the dashboard stay for 1-2 seconds and then go off.

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[WOJ]

If the car had them then would be back to the dealer for full refund. Sounds easy but I'm sure its road uphill if would come to that

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[Ape988]

Ah ok then, scan it for codes and once at it try to calibrate the 'heigh' sensors.

 

[Klickflip]

I’d say unless there’s a whole canbus problem then it’s the levelling sensor , a cracked wire from there or the headlight motor playing up , shouldn’t be a too bad problem or expensive fix, hopefully it’s one of the above and not all that need one thing fixed to diagnose the next fault in the system.

Also sometimes abs wheel sensors and the canbus loom can make things go weird , but like I say I imagine it’s one of the above starting with the sensor and it’s wires coming off it.

 

[WOJ]

Just quick update. I got car booked in with dealers I bought it from. Actually I well surprised how straight forward it was and was gobsmacked as I was prepared to fight. No questions asked just been told to bring my car and they will sort it out. Will let you know what actually went wrong. I got felling that this will be sensor as you all saying. Just hoping they just not going to delete errors and tell me it's all sorted.

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[WOJ]

So could someone who owns b8 s4 tell me if I'm going crazy or I don't know how self levelling ment to work in this car?

Now long story cut short.

Now when got in to the dealers I show them video that I recorded. One of the guys after seeing it told me that they done recently one with similar issue and it was sensor problem.

I left the car there for a day to get it checked. They phoned me up around 1pm to tell me that they unable to find any faults and they lubricated arms and this seems to resolve the issue.

I went and picked the car up yesterday 78miles drive. Could not simply check it as car was outside and there was still bright day light. I trusted them and set off home. Same day as soon as it's got dark I went to start the car and yet again left light does not move at all and right does spastic movement up and down for about 40 sec then in settled to it think correct level.

So today 19/01 at 8 I've phoned them up saying that this is still happening as per video they have seen. Guy started to tell me that this is normal and left one will not going to move if not needed and only right one does. He told me "politely saying this is how it should be and you don't know what you talking about" then we had bit of argument and we kind of both dropped the phone. Wanted to ask him why he straight away after seeing video admitted to sensor problem but he didn't let me ask this question as he dropped the phone.

So could someone tell me how self levelling in b8 a4/s4 works/looks like.

I will upload video to utube of what I'm considering as issue with my headlights as it's apparently to large to upload it here. I will post link below.

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[WOJ]

Link to utube. Please ignore background music



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[youngy93]

I have exactly the same issue with my a4, always the rhs light, sometimes its perfect but some times its pointing to the floor

 

[WOJ]

I have exactly the same issue with my a4, always the rhs light, sometimes its perfect but some times its pointing to the floor

Is yours been always like that or just developed a fault recently?

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[PenttisHSR]

Ref: Video - Obviously that is not right.
On mine if I unload weight from the car (eg suitcases) after a night time drive, next time I put the lights on there is a small correction on both sides and then that's it, ready to go.

 

[WOJ]

Ref: Video - Obviously that is not right.
On mine if I unload weight from the car (eg suitcases) after a night time drive, next time I put the lights on there is a small correction on both sides and then that's it, ready to go.

Yeah. That's what I was thinking. I mean that is the way I would consider it working correctly. In my case as per video is only moving on one side and that's not even working correctly.

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[WOJ]

So as dealer is fobing me off telling me that the way they operate in the video is normal and all a4 do that.

I had argument with them and eventually they dropped the phone on me.

Anyone experienced from legal point where I stand with this?

Any advice would be great how to "fight" them and convince them to get it inspected correctly and if required, repaired?




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[WOJ]

After constant fight with dealer car is back to them as of today.

They just phoned me up and stated that they were able to replicate the issue as per video and that they identified that control unit has failed on right headlamp and they have one on order and will be fitting it tomorrow.

Any of you helpfull folks could possibly tell me where control unit for headlamp is located?

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[rum4mo]

I don't want to turn this into an Audi main dealer slagging match, but I had my car in for an MOT today and the only other person being "dealt with" in the customer holding area, was not a very happy bunny, from what I over heard, his car was in for a fault to get repaired and an MOT, seems like they concentrated on giving the car a free health check, found some issues not related with the MOT, spent a lot of time diagnosing and fixing some of them even although some parts needed ordering in, and handed the car back without doing the MOT or the original requested repair, then wanted the car back in, and again got it in before the ordered parts had arrived, then wanted it back again to sort that issue out. So, that left the owner without a car since Friday and until they rescheduled their workshop job lists, yet another day for that owner to leave his car! For a marque like Audi, with all the visual trimmings that are on show at their dealerships, once again it is still all show and very little go, I could have done without knowing about that as I had hoped that things had improved since my last visit about a year ago, idiots idiots idiots - and your story seems like it is still happening elsewhere.

 

[youngy93]

Is yours been always like that or just developed a fault recently?

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Seems to have being happening for a few years, it definitly happens if i pull away before the lights have leveled after starting

 

[youngy93]

After constant fight with dealer car is back to them as of today.

They just phoned me up and stated that they were able to replicate the issue as per video and that they identified that control unit has failed on right headlamp and they have one on order and will be fitting it tomorrow.

Any of you helpfull folks could possibly tell me where control unit for headlamp is located?

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Ooh wonder how expensive thats going to be and if it fixes it!

 

[WOJ]

Ooh wonder how expensive thats going to be and if it fixes it!

Wi'll find out shortly

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[WOJ]

So I finally got car back from third party dealer after second attempt to resolve issues with headlights. And as some of you probably guessed already second attempt ended up in failure.

I've left the car with them for 5 days this time round. They told me that they changed headlight range control ecu as well as motor in right headlamp.

I've tried to test it when I went to pick car up but yet again it was bright day light and she asked service manager if I could get the car in to workshop to test the lights I was told that they do not have space inside....

I said politely "fine" and as he reassured me on several occasions that they tested the car headlights and they now do usual "dance" he's happy for me to take the car back.

Well I tested it today and I'm simply saying "fed up" as issue has not been resolved and when you start the car they still operate as per video attached earlier in the topic.

Based on how headlights operate in current state car would not pass MOT and in theory is not road legal.

I decided today that I will book my car to Audi main dealers in Worthing describe all the hassle I'm going through and ask them to inspect the headlights and provide me with the report if current operation of headlights is correct or they are faulty.

Based on opinion provided from main Audi dealership either I will keep the car or I would have to reject it and ask for refund or replacement under Consumer Rights Act of 2015.

I personally think I did more than enough from legal side to allow them to repair and resolve this.

There 3 attempts in total

1 they had it for 24h which then they stated they have lubricated the arms and this has resolved the issue

2 was me phoning them up day after picking the car up and trying to inform them that this didn't resolved the issue. This is where they fobbed me of telling me that "I don't know what I'm talking about" and "this is normal operation of headlights " as well as all Audi do that. We ended up in argument and he became rude and unpolite so we ended our conversation.

After this I went to MOT test center and asked for inspection. Which was stated then by MOT tester that car in current state will not going to pass MOT.

Based on that I made another phone call but this time to sales department.

Explained everything and been asked to ring service department which I refused. Based on how I've been treated last time.

So the sales team spoken service manager, the one that fobbed me of last time.

Eventually I been told to ring the service again as they have spoken to them and they have agreed to take the car back.

This now been 3rd attempt for them to get this straight and they have failed.

So I decided that I will go to Audi and pay to get car inspected.

So as mentioned earlier I think I'm doing more that expected from me in terms of law.

Don't get me wrong I Love the car but I rather get it sorted while still within six months then later be faced with car that will not going to pass MOT and will take possibly endless inspections and God knows how much cash to get it back on the road.

Apologise for long post but I had to release some steam somehow.

Anyone that's owns b8 a4 is able to show me or
Describe proper operation?

From what I know after starting the car lights should go down then side to side and up at correct level?

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[Klickflip]

***! Feel for ya.
Are they just moving around all the time or do they settle after a few mins ?

You said you weren’t getting any warning lights or messages either..

Remember reading on another forum that some people with warnings and similar managed to get it reset at dealers with a vag com after trying the mechanical parts and sensors first. Could be it needs a proper Audi diagnostic to find out more.

 

[Klickflip]

Here’s what mine do pretty undramatic - my B7 was more erratic to settle the level and they flickered and momentarily cut off for the first 10 minutes till they warmed up!

 

[WOJ]

***! Feel for ya.
Are they just moving around all the time or do they settle after a few mins ?

You said you weren’t getting any warning lights or messages either..

Remember reading on another forum that some people with warnings and similar managed to get it reset at dealers with a vag com after trying the mechanical parts and sensors first. Could be it needs a proper Audi diagnostic to find out more.

Cheers for your reply.

Let me explain bit more.

Left headlight does nothing and never did since I got the car. Always stays ad the same level without any movement. Basically nothing happens at all.

Right headlight is different. One day it will constantly go up and down for about minute and either will settle itself in the level with left headlight or will stay pointing down and you can't adjust it in any way till the next start up of the car hoping it will go up. And that sometimes doesn't work at all.

Sometimes it will not move up and down and it will just stay at lowest level and that's it.

Or it will go up and down while driving constantly.

Left one no matter what will not going to move. I even disconnected battery for several hours and this did nothing.

Like mentioned in previous post I phone Audi Worthing tomorrow and see if they can be of any assistance in investigating and hopefully they can help. If they will find the fault then I seen if third party dealer is willing to cover the cost of whatever needs to be done. If not then I will try to get full refund and give them the car back.

I personally think it would be more financially adequate for dealer to pay for sorting out the issue and getting rid of me from their books that paying me back full purchase price.

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[WOJ]

Here’s what mine do pretty undramatic - my B7 was more erratic to settle the level and they flickered and momentarily cut off for the first 10 minutes till they warmed up!

Cheers for that man. Till I've seen this video I was thinking I'm going crazy and maybe I don't know what I'm talking about. Did by any chance you have seen my video that I uploaded several days ago and should be higher up in the topic?

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[Klickflip]

Cheers for that man. Till I've seen this video I was thinking I'm going crazy and maybe I don't know what I'm talking about. Did by any chance you have seen my video that I uploaded several days ago and should be higher up in the topic?

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Yeah I just watched it again , which made go out and record mine for you as had to get stuff out of boot.
Not right at all.. and your left one doesn’t start down then move to that static position.. just nada ?

From what you explained in last reply , your `right one sounds just like my b7 when I had a broken sensor / wires - but both lights did the same I think. Sometimes they were fine or would settle low or in mid position after being erratic, or point to the sky when on a dark motorway!
I had that for a few months before it was unusable at night , and by that point no warnings came on anymore .
Yours may have been like this for months!
And the left one just sounds completely broken (motor, stuck reflector, or communication gone)

Hopefully Audi can find out exactly what’s going on.

 

[WOJ]

Yeah I just watched it again , which made go out and record mine for you as had to get stuff out of boot.
Not right at all.. and your left one doesn’t start down then move to that static position.. just nada ?

From what you explained in last reply , your `right one sounds just like my b7 when I had a broken sensor / wires - but both lights did the same I think. Sometimes they were fine or would settle low or in mid position after being erratic, or point to the sky when on a dark motorway!
I had that for a few months before it was unusable at night , and by that point no warnings came on anymore .
Yours may have been like this for months!
And the left one just sounds completely broken (motor, stuck reflector, or communication gone)

Hopefully Audi can find out exactly what’s going on.

Once again much appreciated for your video.
Will update as soon as I know anything.

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[WOJ]

Wanted just to update that my s4 is booked in for investigation tomorrow 10am at main dealers in Portsmouth. They will have a car for a whole day and I will be provided statement based on results of investigation.

I phoned up 3rd party dealer that I bought the car from to inform them that issue persists and (I knew they will do this as soon as I will tell them) owner of the bussines now tells me that as soon I will receive this report to send them a copy and they will rectify the issue.

Problem from my side is thay I'm paying for it from my pocket and I'm only doing this to prove that there is fault with the car and not for them to use it.

When asked them to cover the inspection fees as gesture of good will taking in to account they had 3 attempts to get it rectified they simply told me no.

As well service manger told me that the car was repaired and today when I was speaking to owner of the business he informed me that the car was not repaired as per information provided by their service manager as needed the car back.... WTF!!!!

I'm happy that I decided to record every phone call made. So if comes to it they can listen to it all

I'm fed up with them and try to return the car and go away buy one from somebody else.

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[Klickflip]

Wanted just to update that my s4 is booked in for investigation tomorrow 10am at main dealers in Portsmouth. They will have a car for a whole day and I will be provided statement based on results of investigation.

I phoned up 3rd party dealer that I bought the car from to inform them that issue persists and (I knew they will do this as soon as I will tell them) owner of the bussines now tells me that as soon I will receive this report to send them a copy and they will rectify the issue.

Problem from my side is thay I'm paying for it from my pocket and I'm only doing this to prove that there is fault with the car and not for them to use it.

When asked them to cover the inspection fees as gesture of good will taking in to account they had 3 attempts to get it rectified they simply told me no.

As well service manger told me that the car was repaired and today when I was speaking to owner of the business he informed me that the car was not repaired as per information provided by their service manager as needed the car back.... WTF!!!!

I'm happy that I decided to record every phone call made. So if comes to it they can listen to it all

I'm fed up with them and try to return the car and go away buy one from somebody else.

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Good stuff , think you’ve done everything you can to cover yourself , give them a chance and get it sorted.
Whatever the outcome , I’d say afterwards , if they sort it in not and don’t refund theAudi inspection then you’re in your rights to send them an invoice , or get a local lawyer to to do it .. sometimes they might do stuff like that for free or add a small charge on to the invoice , then never speak with them again.

 

[WOJ]

Just received phone call from Audi saying that levelling sensors are not working on both headlights and they completely seized up.

2 New sensors and labour £638 at Audi.



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[Roadrunner146]

Ouch.
Who's paying?

 

[WOJ]

Sorry the price actually is £689

At the moment no one wants to pay this.

3rd party dealer said they want to see report. So they will go from there.

When asked them to firstly refund me cost of inspection they refused.

But they still want to see it.

They had 3 chances to repair this on 2 they had the car and on one they fobbed me off.

Service manger on second occasion they had the car told that is all repaired and tested and it's working fine.

Same service manager told owner of the company that they didn't done anything to the car.

I'm fed up. Told them that I've lost faith in their ability to resolve this and want to ask for refund.

Been told that I'm not entitled to refund as 30 days passed and that they want to see this report and go from there.

They have refused my statutory rights under Consumer Rights Act of 2015 to seek replacement or refund up to 100% purchase price.

I will speak to finance company and see if they can help.

Been chasing them for invoice for apparent parts replacement they did on second occasion the car been in but they cannot provide me one.



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[Roadrunner146]

Sorry for your pain. But really does let down the Audi brand.

 

[WOJ]

They agreed to pay for audi main dealer to carry out repairs.

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[Roadrunner146]

That's a result .
What about the inspection fee.

 

[WOJ]

Well. They don't won't to cover that....

So I think I take it and leave.

They still insist that I have no right to return the car. But that's different story as I wanted it to be repaired. So I think is good result after month of arguing.

I know that if I would pursue it further and took legal action they would have no leg to stand on and would have to pay out in full.

While waiting for their reply I went to local solicitor for 1h free advise.

If they would not refund full purchase price then I would have to pay £70 for high court order and court enforcers would start seizing their goods to cover the value of my refund.

Part of me want to go legal route but other just wants to get it done and over with.

And I think I will go easiest way which is getting money and getting it repaired as otherwise it will take months to get it resolved.


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