On a cold start, as I pull out of my garage the left headlight often flickers when I brake. A few times it has actually gone out and the message "Left headlight dipped" appeared on the console. I have a 2006 A4 with steerable, self-leveling Xenons.

I took my car in for service today and the dealership is refusing to do anything since they can't replicate the problem. This seems ridiculous to me. Any techs out there who might be able to give some advice that I can pass along to the dealership?

 

You need a new bulb.

 

I'll second that. I had the same problem with my '03 and after swapping out ballasts, replacing the halogen high-beams, and lots of other voodoo its still flickering, with the occasional "dipped headlight" message. I'm waiting till it totally dies at which point I'll throw in a pair of new 6000ËšK bulbs.

You may just want to try re-seating the bulb. Sometimes its just a contact issue. If anything its a good exercise if you haven't had your projector housings out yet. I'd recommend keeping note of how they are aimed (turn them on and use tape to mark their position on a wall or garage door) so you can return them to their current position when you're done fooling around with them.

Good luck...

boy412

 

Thanks for the advice. My car is only 18mos. old with about 12K miles so hopefully the headlights aren't toast yet. I would think a Xenon bulb should last much longer. How much does a new bulb cost? Does headlight "dipped" mean headlight *out*, or literally that the leveling mechanism has dipped downward?

 

Theyve been having problems with the xenon bulbs going out. I think they are around $150 at the dealer. Dipped is just what they use to identify the bulb. All it means is the main headlight.