Audi A3 Issue

sullyahmed

Hi,

I have an Audi A3 (53 plate). 2 Ltr TDI.

Sometimes when I put the key in and start the electrics, I get a warning "Headlight range control defective". Whenever this warning is present, the car will not start. I have to keep trying a few times for the warning not to appear, and then the car will start. Myself and my mechanic are confused. Has anyone else had any similar issues? 

Note: The headlights are factory fitted xenon

Goudy

Xenons should have a self leveling systems and on these I believe they have a leveler unit (an ECU for the lighting system) and sensors on the suspension to detect the ride high.

It could be they just need aligning, which is done via the ECU with a VAG diagnostic tool or it could be one of the sensors has failed on the front suspension, again you need to scan the leveler unit to see.
Though a quick test of the sensors is to park the car up against a wall/garage door, turn the ignition on and the headlights. They should move up/down a little and then settle if the sensors are works. If they don't move it's likely one or both sensors are fubar.

The easiest/quickest thing to do is find an independent VAG/Audi specialist that is local to you, they'll have the hardware/software to scan the system for faults.

neilmcl

I would first do a google search as there seems to be plenty of results for this on Audi owner forums and videos of how to replace the headlight range control module if it is indeed knackered. You could also do with getting a mechanic who has access to VCDS.

droopsnoot

Yes, I'd agree with the last of that comment - get it onto a VCDS / VAGCom reader, or if you have a laptop, buy yourself a cable (for under a tenner) and use the free/shareware version which I think will be OK on your car. I can't see why that would prevent it from starting, though - that suggests something a little more concerning.

fred246

I paid £17 for my cable in 2005. Garages were charging £70 to "plug the car into the computer " when you could set up your own system for a fraction of the price.

Mercdriver

fred246 said:

I paid £17 for my cable in 2005. Garages were charging £70 to "plug the car into the computer " when you could set up your own system for a fraction of the price.

I could buy a book on thermonuclear  science for £76 which is much cheaper than going to university for several years, it doesn't mean I'm going to understand what it tells me, and know what to do.  

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Molecular-Processes-Controlled-Thermonuclear-Science/dp/0306404249/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=thermonuclear+science&qid=1591280410&sr=8-2

fred246

That book is £1.67. You'd be daft to pay £76.

fred246

VAG-COM is very easy to use. All the instructions are on their website.

Mercdriver

fred246 said:

That book is £1.67. You'd be daft to pay £76.

That makes my point even clearer.  You still think that just anyone can read a code and be able to fix the problem.  You also make quite an unsafe assumption that code readers will always accurately diagnose the problem.  

fred246

I have been using VAG-COM successfully for 15 years. Just over £1 per year. When did I say that code readers will always accurately diagnose the problem?