Audi A4 B8 - Xenon headlights pointing up

GTE

Hello,

Googling doesn't seem to show up my exact issue.

I've had a Audi Adaptive Headlight warning for a while. All that was wrong was that the extra lights that switch on when turning did not switch on.

When the car started and the lights came on, the headlights always moved around during that startup test that they do (downwards, outwards, inwards and settle).

Tonight, the startup movements do not happen and the lights are aimed very high.

Any ideas?

I know that a cable can snap but that would disable one motor. Both worked today, were fine an hour ago.

Thanks.

Neilw

First thing to do is to have a diagnostic scan done, if there's an error it could be reset to see if it fixes the issue.
You would also be armed with a fault code to google.

Find someone with VCDS, where are you based?

listermint

There's a self leveller on them it should be on 1 arm. I think it's the driver's side and can be attached to the front control arm. The mounting can rust away and the self leveller becomes loose and no longer levels

GTE

Thanks for the replies.

My own version of VCDS is acting up, I think the cable is dead.

Based near Kilcock

GTE

I tell a lie.

I did not realise that the Xenon test process (where the lights move around when first switched on) only takes place with the engine on.

I started the car and the lights move around fine, they just settle pointing very high up.

So a leveling sensor is bust?

Could having the wheels off to do brake pads potentially cause issues with those four sensors?

It was in for a service 400km ago.

GTE

listermint wrote: »

There's a self leveller on them it should be on 1 arm. I think it's the driver's side and can be attached to the front control arm. The mounting can rust away and the self leveller becomes loose and no longer levels

I spotted what looks to be this arm on the front passenger side. It all looks fine, though I can not get a very close look at it.

Certainly not rusted off, anyway.

I have had the car scanned and I have the following code
- 02235 Static curve light (left), open circuit, permanent.

This sounds like it is for my Adaptive Headlight warning which I have had for a few weeks. I think it is unrelated and concerns a wire which has snapped within the headlight unit itself.

dingding

I had a similar issue with my Lexus. There was a sensor over the left back wheel which adjusted the height of the lights depending on the load in the car. The arm had rusted and the lights did not level properly. It did come up with an error on the dash.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8kLSZGkEMM

The similar sensor appears to be behind the front wheels on the audi, see the video above.

tossy

There will be two self leveling sensors - one at the front and one at the back.

As was said you'll need to scan it, also if you go adjusting the headlights you'll also need VCDS too.

GTE

tossy wrote: »

There will be two self leveling sensors - one at the front and one at the back.

As was said you'll need to scan it, also if you go adjusting the headlights you'll also need VCDS too.

Would VCDS throw up a fault code which a Delphi system wouldnt?

Thanks

tossy

bbk wrote: »

Would VCDS throw up a fault code which a Delphi system wouldnt?

Thanks

Sorry just read you had it scanned (missed that bit) I think you have two issues ? The static lights - the fixed lights pointing sideways are giving a warning - is one of those bulbs blown ? Also the headlights aiming a little high , i don't know if they are related.

GTE

tossy wrote: »

Sorry just read you had it scanned (missed that bit) I think you have two issues ? The static lights - the fixed lights pointing sideways are giving a warning - is one of those bulbs blown ? Also the headlights aiming a little high , i don't know if they are related.

I feel they are unrelated. I have had the turning light issue for quite a while, it simply has not bothered me as a possible cause is a broken wire to a motor in the headlight, but the headlights are moving around just fine.

I hope to get my VCDS sorted out, so I can at least see what the reading is on those level sensors.

tossy

bbk wrote: »

I feel they are unrelated. I have had the turning light issue for quite a while, it simply has not bothered me as a possible cause is a broken wire to a motor in the headlight, but the headlights are moving around just fine.

I hope to get my VCDS sorted out, so I can at least see what the reading is on those level sensors.

The static turning lights don't have motors though, the are just fixed bulb pointing outwards right ? Are both those bulbs working ? It could just be a blown bulb.

GTE

tossy wrote: »

The static turning lights don't have motors though, the are just fixed bulb pointing outwards right ? Are both those bulbs working ? It could just be a blown bulb.

Yes but the wording of the error that pops up on the dash is the same as the one for where a cable which goes to one of the motors snaps, inside the headlight unit. Once I saw the motors still moving I just left it. I sure hope it is just a bulb , seems unrelated to this aiming issue.

GTE

I got my VCDS up and running again.

There is no error message from the xenon level sensors.

If I plug one sensor out, in the mean time, would the lights default to a pointing down position?

kirving

Not sure about Audi specifically, but the headlights level is generally set via the front and rear ride height sensors which are connected to the suspension.

If there was any work going on they may have disconnected or damaged the sensor. If work was done recently this is by far the most likely root cause.

GTE

I took some wheels off and discovered the rear level arm had snapped at one of the ball joints. I've bodged it together and it seems the headlights are back to normal. I'll be able to tell when it gets dark.

If all is good, then I only need the a new arm, rather than an entire sensor.