Daytime running light broken (Q5 2014) - Advice please?

[Aerotus]

Hi everyone,

The Daytime running light (DRL) that goes all the way round the passenger headlight unit stopped working. When I switch the lights on, the DRL flickers on for a split second and then stays off. I went to a garage and we switched around the LED Light Ballast Control Unit, as that is usually the failure point according to forums. But that was not the issue and the control unit was still working. It seems a waste that I now have to buy a whole headlight replacement unit just because the DRL does not work. Does anyone have any experience in solving this? In the worst case, I am looking to purchase a good condition headlight unit (My part number says 8R0 941 031 D and it is made by Valeo). I cannot find any exact part number matches on eBay so was wondering if my 2014 would also be compatible with the 2013 to 2016 headlight units which have slightly different part numbers?

[Steve Q]

Hello Barry, sorry this topic hasn't been responded to yet. The garage had a wise decision that it was the ballast control unit. However as this is not the fault I would look at 2 other options before replacing the headlight which is costly. 

One of them is to get a diagnostic check carried out to see if any fault codes flag up.

My other suggestion would be to speak to an auto electrician as clearly the light is working by one form or another and could be a bad earth or loose wire. 

Sorry I can't help more.

Cheers

Steve

[Aerotus]

Thanks Steve for the advice. Turns out Audi want to charge me £1200 to replace the headlight module (including labour and VAT). The problem is that doesn't include identifying the problem. So I could do all that and turns out the problem lies outside of the headlight module. I've decided to spend another £100+ getting a full diagnostic from an autoelectrician. This will be done near the end of this month. Hopefully, I won't need to replace the whole unit. 

Spending over £1200 would be ridiculous just because a DRL light went out. Having to replace a whole perfectly otherwise headlight unit is just an utter joke!

[Steve Q]

On 4/6/2018 at 3:37 PM, Aerotus said:

Thanks Steve for the advice. Turns out Audi want to charge me £1200 to replace the headlight module (including labour and VAT). The problem is that doesn't include identifying the problem. So I could do all that and turns out the problem lies outside of the headlight module. I've decided to spend another £100+ getting a full diagnostic from an autoelectrician. This will be done near the end of this month. Hopefully, I won't need to replace the whole unit. 

Spending over £1200 would be ridiculous just because a DRL light went out. Having to replace a whole perfectly otherwise headlight unit is just an utter joke!

Couldn't agree more! And I wouldn't be surprised if it can be reconditioned. Or you could buy a second hand part and gave it coded to the car. 

Cheers

Steve

[Aerotus]

Hi everyone,

I have finally solved the problem! Thank you Steve Q for the suggestion of an autoelectrician. I used Phil at Auto ETS in Watford who provided an excellent service!
I first got a problem diagnosis from him, which revealed the fault lay at the LED level, or the control module for it. I already tried changing the control module before and it wasn't that. The plan was to open the headlight unit and replace the LED and re-seal it. Turns out there are two further control modules inside which can only be accessed after taking the bumper and headlight out. One of them was faulty (Part no. 8R0 941 475B). They called Audi parts but it wasn't even listed on their system! Audi recommended that they purchase the whole light unit which would have cost me up to £1000. Fortunately, they tried VW and got the same part which is used in the Toureg. That part cost £400, pricey yes. But they fitted it and everything works perfectly again. Definitely saved me at least £700 and the stress of dealing with Audi Stealership + the lack of responses I got from the Watford branch (yes I'm talking about you Abbey, not even an apology when I complained).

I hope this info helps anybody else who has this same problem.     

[Steve Q]

Glad I could help Barry and pleased you've had a good result! Let's hope you have happy motoring from now on :) 

Cheers

Steve