2000 A8L Left Lowbeam Problem (factory HID, keeps blowing fuse)
 

Hi, Audi Fans and Experts.

I am a new Audi owner (and AudiForums user) and am having problems with my (2000 A8L) left lowbeam HID headlight.

I thought I had a bad bulb, but when I swapped L <-> R, the problem stayed on the left side rather than following the bulb. Next, I checked the fuses and discovered the 10-amp fuse for left lowbeam was blown. I replaced it, but the new one blew immediately when I turned the lights on.

Two alternating warning lights display on the dash, only when the headlights are on: one for a bad bulb, and the 2nd for a headlight levelling problem.

I checked the remaining fuses below the passenger front kick panel, and all seem OK. I did notice that a couple are running lower amperages than the manual says (I don't need to be as worried about that, right?) but 2 are running higher than specified in the owner's manual: for Fuel Pump I have a 20 Amp but the manual calls for 15, and for Navigation (position 6, in the blue fuse block) has 10 Amp when the manual calls for 5.

Any thoughts on this? Could my fuse mismatches be related, or are they just bad form?

Also, have any of you used VAG-COM enough to know if it would throw a helpful code in a situation like this?

And finally, because of the voltage rumored to be stored in the ballast, if I try to test the connector for current will I fry my little RadioShack volt meter?

Thanks in advance,
TI 3VOM / MOVE IT

RE: 2000 A8L Left Lowbeam Problem (factory HID, keeps blowing fuse)
 

Posting the resolution, in case it ever helps someone else out:

My shop removed the output from the Xenon control module (not the ignitor, which is located inside the headlight housing right behind the low beam bulb), and the fuse continued to pop.

Next they removed the input *to* the controller, and no more fuse pop.

VOILA ! I need a new control module - a part that's hard to find other than at the dealer, and it's about $413 for the record.

Anybody have a good source for non-dealer OEM parts such as this?

Thanks,
TI 3VOM