First, take the headlight housing off.
- Figure 1. The trim panel above the grille should be removed.
- Figure 2. The top two bolts on the headlamp assembly should be taken out.
- Figure 3. Remove the headlamp assembly’s bottom two screws.
- Figure 4. Forward-slide the headlamp assembly
In This Article...
What do xenon headlights do?
The bulbs of xenon high-intensity discharge headlights do not have filaments like halogen lights do, hence they typically last longer than halogens but not as long as LEDs. They consume more energy than LEDs and less than halogens. They also generate more heat than LEDs and gradually lose brightness.
Electric current is used in xenon headlights to form an arc between two electrodes, which emits brilliant white or bluish light that is frequently brighter than LEDs. In addition to white, aftermarket xenon lights are also offered in various blue and yellow hues.
Some xenon lights are so brilliant on dark roads that even the low beams might blind approaching motorists. When the lights are turned on, leveling devices are frequently used in vehicles with xenon lights to automatically adapt the beam pattern.
Initially exclusively accessible on luxury and expensive automobiles, LEDs and xenon lights are now more extensively used, especially LEDs. Some manufacturers have made LEDs a requirement for all of their ranges of reasonably cost vehicles. Although xenon lights are less common on new cars, they are still well-liked in the aftermarket.
How can I correct an Audi headlight error?
Although there are other potential causes, the most frequent one for this warning message is a failing 35W HID OEM D1S, D2S, or D3S bulb. Of course, it is also possible that the xenon headlamp ballast module is to blame.
The fact that you often only get messages for one sideusually the left, though sometimes the rightmakes this a significant troubleshooting hint.
Swap both the bulbs and ballasts from the left to the right headlight in order to detect and isolate whether the problem is with the headlight bulb, the ballasts, or something internal in the headlight itself. Then, check to see if the dipped headlight error on your dash board changes from “Dipped Headlight Left to “Dipped headlight Right,” or vice versa. If it does, then you are aware that either the bulb or the ballasts are the problem (xenon control module under headlight housing).
It might also display the following message:
You can also look at the HID gas discharge bulb’s hue. It has clearly reached the end of its life if the gas inside the bulb has turned dark black in the middle or, if it is still operating, has begun to emit purple light.
In this situation, it would be beneficial for your car if you purchased a new xenon bulb and replaced it with a defective one.
If the issue is not localized to one side and the dashboard error is constant, we need to rule other causes outside a bad bulb.
If you observe that your dipped headlight problem only occurs in cold weather or at first start-up, it’s possible that your xenon ballasts are on their way out. Replacing them with a new ballast may be the cheapest and simplest approach to fix this.
Your Audi’s faulty ballasts have destroyed the bulbs, therefore you will also require new bulbs if the problem has persisted for a while. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you replace both the bulbs and the ballasts since, even if the ballasts were defective, it is better to repair everything at once because the bulbs have probably already been damaged by the bad ballasts and will need to be replaced soon. Furthermore, since fixing a dipped headlight error can be challenging, it is preferable to be aggressive in addressing this problem and removing any potential sources of error-causing factors.
Your car would need the same coding to install new ballasts, which you can either do yourself with a VAG-COM or take to a dealer like xenons4u where you can find the xenon HID bulbs and ballasts and have the defective bulb or ballast replaced with the necessary coding.
The Xenons4u Team posted this on November 11, 2020 in Warning Messages & Audi.
On an Audi A4, how do you swap out the parking light?
Remove the five Phillips screws from the air filter box’s bottom after pulling off the top. To remove the cover, carefully push the two tabs on the back of the headlight housing down and away from you. Remove and replace the bulb after removing the socket cords.
What is the price of replacing an Audi headlight?
An Audi A4 headlight bulb replacement typically costs between $274 and $292. Between $69 to $87 is the projected cost of labor, while the cost of parts is $205.
Can xenon lights be touched?
- They emit good color light that is warmer than halogen bulb light.
- The majority of bulbs come in clear or frosted varieties.
- They burn more coolly than halogen lamps, which is another energy-saving feature for those hot summer days.
- Xenon lights are genuinely touchable. Halogen light bulbs should not be touched because the oil on your hands could dramatically shorten their lifespan.
- They don’t fade upholstery, window curtains, and other fabric because they only emit a little amount of UV radiation.
- As opposed to halogens, xenon light bulbs pose no high pressure risk.
- A dimming feature for xenon lights is available for installation, which further lowers energy expenses while also creating a warm atmosphere. Make sure you work with an electrician who has experience installing xenon lights. For all of your house lighting requirements, locate a reputable certified electrician.
How frequently should xenon bulbs be changed?
According to data from Ring, the car lighting specialists, garages can advise drivers to replace their xenon HID headlamps if they are more than three years old in order to increase driver safety and increase revenues during this MOT season.
According to Ring’s research, even though xenon HID headlamps may still be lit up and appear white after three years, their light output will have drastically decreased and may even have fallen below the legal limit. Ring discovered that the overall lumens light output from four-year-old xenon HID bulbs had decreased by about 17.5 percent compared to equivalent new xenon HID bulbs, taking them below the legal limits for light output for HID bulbs as set out in ECE Reg 99 in tests conducted in its cutting-edge, ISO:9001-accredited beam laboratories. When contrasting the old bulb with the equivalent new xenon HID, the lux output at the brightest point of the beam has decreased by about 59.5 percent.
“The perfect time to talk about xenon HID bulbs and replacement is when a customer comes in for a MOT and service. Based on these and other testing, we have determined that the light output of new vs four-year-old bulbs has significantly decreased. As a result, we are encouraging technicians to suggest changing xenon HID bulbs every three years. It’s a value-added solution that gives garages the chance to offer bulb replacement while also enhancing the driving experience for their clients. According to Carl Harrison, Xenon HID Product Manager at Ring, the driver might not have realized the decrease in visibility because the change would have been gradual, making professional assistance even more important to guarantee the best driving conditions.
Around 10% of UK automobiles have xenon HID lights installed, and this presents a significant business opportunity for garages. These bulbs must be installed by a qualified technician and are always to be changed in pairs; otherwise, the color output will be incongruent. There is a clear possibility for garages to make money while still providing better value and service than main dealers because bulb costs are greater and fitting takes more time.
Harrison goes on: “There is a misconception that primary dealers are required to install xenon HIDs. This is untrue, and we want to make sure independent garages can still install xenon HIDs. Even an upsell to choices that are whiter and brighter is possible. These upgrade bulbs either create more light than regular HIDs for increased visibility on the road or produce a whiter light for an even more upscale appearance and to match LED daytime running lamps. For drivers who want the best for their vehicle, this additional purchase may be justified because these bulbs last for three years.
Can LEDs take the role of xenon bulbs?
An example of incandescent lighting are xenon light bulbs. If you’re not a dedicated lighting nerd (like myself), you’ve definitely heard of xenon in relation to automotive headlights. However, xenon is also fantastic for usage in other areas of your home, such as under cabinet lighting, puck lights, and more.
The tiny amount of xenon gas contained inside the glass envelope distinguishes xenon light bulbs from conventional filament lamps. The gas increases the efficiency of the light bulb, extending its lifespan and enabling it to produce more light with less energy.
Halogen lights, another kind of gas-filled incandescent, are inferior to xenon lights in a number of aspects as well. They are less sensitive and create a lot less heat than halogens. You need not be concerned about contacting them with bare hands. They won’t prematurely fail like halogen because of the oils on your skin.
LEDs still outperform xenon lights despite being more effective, durable, long-lasting, and cool than halogen and normal incandescent light bulbs. It’s time to switch to lights with the longest rated life, the lowest energy consumption, the best durability, and the least amount of heat.
You’re likely wondering, “What about looks?” On paper, an LED may appear to be more appealing, but what if it’s lighting your counter tops? You need an LED that can compete with Xenon lights because they are known to be attractive.
Here’s what to look for when picking out a xenon-like LED:
- Select a color temperature between 2,800K and 3,000K that is warmer than a halogen lamp but somewhat cooler than an incandescent lamp. They do exist, I assure you.
- Look for a light with a high CRI (Color Rendering Index). The CRI of xenon lights is 100, which is ideal. They reproduce colors as accurately as the sun. Although LED lights typically produce colors with a little less accuracy, if you can find one with a CRI of at least 80, you’ll be in luck.
- If you’re replacing a xenon light you currently have, pay attention to how bright it is and look for an LED with a comparable output. The simplest way to do this is to determine how many lumens the xenon lights produce and then look for LEDs that have a similar output. Due to the fact that LEDs create significantly more light for every watt of energy they consume, measuring brightness by watts is inaccurate.
- Like other incandescent lights, xenon lights are simple to dim using a regular switch. When you want to modify the appearance or atmosphere of your room or simply conserve some energy, this option is really useful. If you’re looking for an LED replacement, ensure sure the light source you choose has a dimming feature. To make this happen, you might require a unique switch.
- You must ensure that LED replacement bulbs for xenon fixtures will work together. Check that the glass envelopes are the same size, the light bulbs are the same wattage and voltage, and the bases are the same type (bipin, wedge, festoon, etc.). Make sure new light bulbs can maintain a reasonable level of cooling inside the fixture before making an investment in them. An LED’s rated life can be shortened by excessive heat.
Is xenon or LED brighter?
The extraordinary brilliance of xenon lights is one factor contributing to their appeal. It frequently shines brighter than an LED light and a regular headlight. However, there is a cost associated with these brighter headlights. Compared to LED lights, they consume a lot more energy.
Are xenon lights permitted?
Only when the headlight unit is properly E designated are Xenon HIDs permitted on public roads. You need an ECE R99 certification if you’re unsure. Only two conditions must be met for a HID kit to be accepted as road legal:
- if the entire headlamp assembly is changed out for a HID-specific model.
- The current headlight unit would need to undergo a new assessment for compliance before receiving a new “E” mark.
As you may expect, this is very expensive and a headache. However, your car won’t be legal to drive if you don’t follow these instructions while switching from halogen to HID.
What is it?
The BMW 7 series introduced HID Xenon headlights in 1992. A non-replaceable, unshielded burner was employed by the system. Unlike halogens, this sort of bulb lacks any kind of filament. It creates an electric arc of extremely high voltage between two contacts. A variety of gases, including Xenon, Argon, and vaporized metals like mercury and metal halides, are present inside the glass chamber. In actuality, the arc causes the metal vapors to melt and transform into plasma.
HID headlights that are OEM (factory installed) have a D-series designation scheme. They are identified by three characters, such as “D4R” or “D1S,” where “D” stands for “Discharge,” the type is indicated by a number (1, 2, 3, or 4) and the final letter designates the intended application for the bulb.
The letters “R” denote bulbs that have an opaque shield covering some of the bulb (D1R, D2R, D3R, and D4R). These lights are intended to be used with a certain type of headlamp optics called a reflector.
The “S” kind (D1S, D2S, D3S, and D4S) lacks this type of shield because they are intended for projector optics. The lumen output is typically 300400 greater than that of its ‘R’ counterparts.
These HIDs from the “D” series always have the same location for the quartz envelope and arc. They need ballasts with external or internal igniters that convert power into AC and create a high voltage pulse to produce a spark instead of running on low-voltage DC current.
What do their types mean?
There were D1R and D1S first. Beginning in the 1990s, car manufacturers including Audi, Ford, and Mercedes Benz began employing Xenon headlights. In the base of the bulb on these lights are igniters.
The D2 light type series thereafter appeared. Because there are no igniters built into the base of these headlights, the bulbs are substantially smaller.
Lightbulbs of the D1 and D2 varieties run on a 35W, 85V AC current. These bulbs have mercury heavy metal in them.
Since 2009, newer HID bulb designs (D3S, D3R, D4S, and D4R) have been manufactured; they are mercury-free and more environmentally friendly. Special ballasts that are different from D1 and D2 types are needed for these lights. In-built igniters are included with the D3 lights.
Smaller than D2 type headlight bulbs, D4 bulbs need external igniters. Since the majority of higher performance projectors are for D2 base, they are not very common.
The headlight housings made for earlier bulb types are neither physically or electrically compatible with these lamps. 35W 42V AC electricity is required to run D3 and D4 lights.
What is the difference?
D1 and D3 bulbs can be distinguished from one another by comparing the ignitors’ connectors. The left top corner of the D1 type has a keying, whereas the left low corner of the D3 type.
D1, D2, D3, and D4 aftermarket bulbs have the letter C at the end and have five notches. As a result, all types of headlamp housing can be used with them. However, it’s important to note that the lights still differ in terms of their own attributes.
It is not possible to swap out D1 and D3, D2 and D4 bulbs without also swapping out their ignitors and ballasts. Components from two different systems cannot be combined.
Before letting you leave the page, let us make a few things clear:
- The D1 and D3 bulb types cannot be switched for one another.
- The D2 and D4 bulbs cannot be switched for one another.
- While D3 and D4 bulbs are mercury-free, D1 and D2 bulbs do not.