Audi A3 fog light issue

Old Perry

Hi. So I've an a3 where front bottom lights , which I've just found out are fog lights, are always on. Been like that since I bought it, thought they were just driving lights, they come on with the dims. Failed the nct today as the lads couldn't turn them on and off. Fog light switch only clicks out once and turns on back fog light.

Not sure about the previous owner and how it went through nct or if he done anything. Pretty sure he wasn't the type to bother modifying it so I assumed it came out the factory like it is.

Any idea of how to sort this?

tcawley29

Old Perry wrote: »

Hi. So I've an a3 where front bottom lights , which I've just found out are fog lights, are always on. Been like that since I bought it, thought they were just driving lights, they come on with the dims. Failed the nct today as the lads couldn't turn them on and off. Fog light switch only clicks out once and turns on back fog light.

Not sure about the previous owner and how it went through nct or if he done anything. Pretty sure he wasn't the type to bother modifying it so I assumed it came out the factory like it is.

Any idea of how to sort this?

Try and check the stalk wiring to see if they are wired to come on with the dipped lights

colm_mcm

Old Perry wrote: »

Hi. So I've an a3 where front bottom lights , which I've just found out are fog lights, are always on. Been like that since I bought it, thought they were just driving lights, they come on with the dims. Failed the nct today as the lads couldn't turn them on and off. Fog light switch only clicks out once and turns on back fog light.

Not sure about the previous owner and how it went through nct or if he done anything. Pretty sure he wasn't the type to bother modifying it so I assumed it came out the factory like it is.

Any idea of how to sort this?

Sounds like you have a switch for a model with no front fogs. More than likely they were wired in afterwards.
Just disconnect the bulbs.

Old Perry

colm_mcm wrote: »

Sounds like you have a switch for a model with no front fogs. More than likely they were wired in afterwards.
Just disconnect the bulbs.

Fog lights a retro fit? Can't disconnect bulbs or I'll fail on them not working at all no? I know the guy I bought from so wait in to find out if he changed anything.
Any a3 owners with similar functioning lights?

Old Perry

tcawley29 wrote: »

Try and check the stalk wiring to see if they are wired to come on with the dipped lights

Will investigate this. Can you explain a bit more?

colm_mcm

Old Perry wrote: »

Fog lights a retro fit? Can't disconnect bulbs or I'll fail on them not working at all no? I know the guy I bought from so wait in to find out if he changed anything.
Any a3 owners with similar functioning lights?

They won’t fail them if they’re not working. The issue is that they’re on.

If your car was supposed to have front fogs, the light switch would pull two clicks instead of one and there would be two fog light logos on the switch.

Old Perry

colm_mcm wrote: »

They won’t fail them if they’re not working. The issue is that they’re on.

If your car was supposed to have front fogs, the light switch would pull two clicks instead of one and there would be two fog light logos on the switch.

But ive failed before for fog light bulbs not working on other cars does the same not apply here. So my switch is only intended for back fogs. I'll have to see about getting a new switch then.

colm_mcm

Old Perry wrote: »

But ive failed before for fog light bulbs not working on other cars does the same not apply here. So my switch is only intended for back fogs. I'll have to see about getting a new switch then.

It’s not really that simple. The fogs could just be hard wired onto the dipped beams. There may be no actual wiring loom for the front fogs. If it’s just the wrong switch then the fogs wouldn’t come on with the dipped beams.

You might fail for a non working rear foglight, but front ones aren’t a requirent.

Old Perry

colm_mcm wrote: »

It’s not really that simple. The fogs could just be hard wired onto the dipped beams. There may be no actual wiring loom for the front fogs. If it’s just the wrong switch then the fogs wouldn’t come on with the dipped beams.

You might fail for a non working rear foglight, but front ones aren’t a requirent.

Good stuff. Helpful if he mentioned that to me at the centre . Thanks.

CJhaughey

If lights are fitted they must work. If you disconnect them use tape to cover the lenses.

CJhaughey

CJhaughey wrote: »

If lights are fitted they must work. If you disconnect them use tape to cover the lenses.

I know the manual says they aren’t a failure but I have had hassle before with non functioning fogs

Old Perry

NOTES
1. Where auxiliary lamps are found to be inoperative, this should not be considered a reason for failure.
2. A broken glass on an auxiliary lamp or fog lamp is not a reason for failure unless the crack or break is
large enough to insert a sheet of paper as used in the test.

Thats page 40 something of the nct manual, doesn't specifically mention fogs but they are listed under same section auxillary/fogs. There is a clear distinction between the two in terms of height from the ground. Will have to call nct tomorrow. If they can't pass when inoperative I don't know what I'll do.

CJhaughey

Just use some duct tape to temporarily cover the lenses.