Faulty Bi Xenon Headlight

[Stefluc]

Advice needed I have a 2013 62 plate A4 Quattro Black Edition and only the other night my warning light came on saying fault on dipped/main beam and noticed that my passengers side headlight was out.
I stopped switched lights and ignition off and switched lights back on and passenger light came back on but wasn't as bright then after about a minute went out.
Now,Audi says they would have to diagnose fault independents say it's a bulb and sone say it is ballast unit I have been quoted prices for a supply and fit bulb from £200 to £550+ diagnosis.
For a ballast unit prices from £220 to £575
Any one have any experience of this that could help me save some money by identifying fault without spending a fortune on elimination .
Regards
Stefluc

 

[xpoweruk]

Swap the working one into the bad one

 

[Stefluc]

I am not that technically minded to try this that's why I am looking for a good garag e that won't rip me off

 

[xpoweruk]

 

[Stefluc]

Thanks for the link to the bulb removal it looks easy but if I start doing it ,things will go bad.

 

[desertstorm]

Where abouts are you located then somebody may be able to recommend somewhere to take the car.

 

[Stefluc]

I am between Warrington and Wigan . I have tried googling Audi specialist near me and I got back a garage in Standish called S R Miller Audi Specialist but can't find any reviews on them,and no one that I know has used them for a recommendation. The main dealerships are a joke with there prices and labour charges. I don't mind travelling for a good garage that comes highly recommended .
Stefluc

 

[Zafi]

I have had both sides go on my 13 plate B8.5.

Both times it was the bulb. Takes about 5 minutes to swap.

Audi want £170 just for the bulb! First time I got a Lucas bulb from the local motor factors for £100, last time I got a Philips from Ebay. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-P...b-4350K-Headlight-Headlamp-OEM-/172109131773?

Very straightforward to swap, getting the light unit back into the car is the fiddly part.

I will swap it FOC if you fancy a trip to Lightwater Valley in Ripon?

 

[Stefluc]

Zafi,
Sounds promising that it's only going to be a headlight bulb,and thanks for your kind offer to fit it form me FREE as well.
Can I just ask you was any of your headlight symptoms like mine did the light come on then go off after so long or did yours just go out and stay out.
Stefluc

 

[Zafi]

Yes, did a bit of that, was purple/yellow at times, totally off at others.

I recon they had a bad batch of bulbs cos they should last longer than 3 years.

I took the whole headlight out as I think it's less fiddly than working blind.

Take the plastic cover off the slam panel - 4 plugs which have pins in them that you push through to release. I find these are worse than the old style ones so I replaced mine with some with pins that the pin pulls out upwards like these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10X-AUDI-...e:Audi&hash=item4d41a06dbd:g:yO8AAOSwHmhV7iWC
Unclip the wiring connector from the light unit.
Undo the lower torx screws but dont fully unscrew
Remove the upper torx screws
Pull out the headlight, there is a small hose at the back that needs to be disconnected as you pull the light forward.

Remove the rubber cap
Twist the bulb and remove
Pull the connector of it.
Connect the new bulb
Fit bulb in headlamp with a twist
Refit cap

Then put headlamp back in car, you have to get the angle just right to feed it through the hole and line up with the two bottom screws. Also reconnect the small hose at the back.
Fit the top screws then tighten all down then refit the plastic cover.

 

[Stefluc]

Zafi,
Thanks for that feel a bit better now and more confident that it is the bulb, I have had a quote from a Indy Audi garage supply and fit genuine bulb £130 or two replace both bulbs with quantum bulbs in order for them to look the same bulb costs around £50 each + fitting will have a think about what option to take.

 

[desertstorm]

You have the tool for removing the headlight in the car with the wheel brace and screwdriver , towing eye etc. There is a long metal rod with a torx bit at both ends. This fits in the handle for the screwdriver, just remove the existing blade by pulling from the handle.
http://parts.audiofalexandria.com/p...A66146273E27FE10D88B2175DA734__52131_zoom.jpg
The instructions for changing bulbs should be in the drivers handbook.