Xenon Headlights

[lees2611]

Afternoon everyone, just bought an A4 avant, noticed that the drivers side headlight is always on full beam?? When I flash my full beam you can hear a relay kick in on both headlights but only the passenger side works, either that or my light is on dipped and the full isn't working, I've tried another bulb it still doesn't work?? Any ideas??

[cliffcoggin]

Does it have one relay for both lights or one relay each?

[lees2611]

The headlights both click when I pull the full beam stalk, the passenger full beam comes on the drivers doesn't alter

[cliffcoggin]

The headlights click? I am not familiar with xenon lights but I'd be surprised if there are relays within the lights. Tungsten lamps for instance have their relays well away from the light fittings, usually on or close to a fuseboard.

[Stevey Y]

26 minutes ago, lees2611 said:

The headlights both click when I pull the full beam stalk, the passenger full beam comes on the drivers doesn't alter

Hi are the lights projector lenses, if so the clicking you hear is the solenoid that raises [for dipped beam] and lowers for full beam the cut off plate, it sounds like the shutter plate is stuck on the offside, not uncommon sometimes a light tap with a rubber mallet will loosen the plate but if that wont work its a total mechanical failure whereby its more cost effective to replace it with a second hand unit.

Steve.

[lees2611]

Hi Steve, this could possibly be the answer, is there no other way of freeing it off ?? I can feel where the bulb clamps in this swivels up and down a little, 

[cliffcoggin]

15 hours ago, Stevey Y said:

Hi are the lights projector lenses, if so the clicking you hear is the solenoid that raises [for dipped beam] and lowers for full beam the cut off plate, it sounds like the shutter plate is stuck on the offside, not uncommon sometimes a light tap with a rubber mallet will loosen the plate but if that wont work its a total mechanical failure whereby its more cost effective to replace it with a second hand unit.

Steve.

Thanks for the information Steve. That's something new I have learned.

[Stevey Y]

22 hours ago, lees2611 said:

Hi Steve, this could possibly be the answer, is there no other way of freeing it off ?? I can feel where the bulb clamps in this swivels up and down a little, 

Hi the movement you feel is the travel for the self levelling part of the unit, I.E. when you start the car from cold and turn the lights on the light beam automatically dips and then comes back up to the lighting range module assigned position the only reason I mentioned another headlight is because just to inspect the shutter means a pretty radical strip down, also when you have done the dismantling you may find that there is mechanical breakage and spare parts for the units are rarer than rocking horse manure.

Steve.