Where's the headlamp relay for a 2001 STDi?

[BigClive]

Neither of my headlights work on dipped beam. I'm assuming it's the relay. Can anyone tell me how to find it?

[kenney]

Hi The dipped beam does not have a relay,if both bulbs are ok, fuses 20 and 21 are ok,then i think the switch is faulty

[BigClive]

Thanks Kenney - I'd already checked the fuses and they were OK. It transpired that both bulbs had blown at the same time!!! Bit worrying.

[Crasher]

See that a lot.

[kev_yee]

hey guys
first time on this forum

re headlamp for 2003 a4 cabriolet

my right dipped headlamp has failed
changed the bulb and fuse but still a no go
what do you think is the next step?
btw i have after market hids which were working fine for 3months then suddenly this happened

your help is much appreciated

[Crasher]

The lights are not fused individually as such, they are powered directly from the control unit, you need to have your “Onboard supply control unit” J519 scanned for fault codes.

[kev_yee]

hey crasher
thanks for the prompt piece of advice
i'm not entirely sure what all that means
shall i take it down to a VAG?
what would the average cost be for diagnostics?
heard Youngs in Wrotham is good - http://www.youngsgarage.biz/
your thoughts?

[Crasher]

In theory any garage should be able to do this but it is a little more specialised than other areas such as engine and ABS so a VAG specialist or the dealer would be a good idea. A specialist would be cheaper and expect to pay about £30 for a code read, print, clear, test of the circuit and re- read/print to get a 90% idea of what is wrong. I imagine the HID system is going to get the blame, I have come across this before on an 8E/8H platform A4 with HID’s and this fault. The Audi dealer blamed the HID kit.

[kev_yee]

Do you think the HIDS are going to bear the brunt of the blame?
I'm thinking that it's something else the matter, ?the relays...
What do you think of just installing an entire new headlamp unit eg

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300279998872&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNARL:GB:1123

?

[Crasher]

There are three different systems for headlight dipped beam feed on the 8H Cabrio for 2004, Lowline, Highline and gas discharge. Obviously yours does not have the gas discharge factory system and I doubt it has the Lowline system but both these use fuse 20 for feed to the right dipped beam, the Highline system uses a control unit under the dash and has no separate fuse for the individual headlight dipped beams. I have no idea if your HID system will have caused the problem except from what I have heard and read elsewhere plus some 8E chassis cars that have come into me with no headlight function and HID kits installed. I have zero experience of HID system installation and repair as I refuse to have anything to do with them, they are illegal to use and are dangerous, I am getting sick and tired of being dazzled by them at night. I would not complain if anyone caught using them was banned from driving for a year and struck with a massive fine. I have also had 8E cars with a failed J519 “Onboard supply control unit” with normal lights, not just with aftermarket HID kits. You need to get a fault code read done, have the earth and power feeds checked and stop guessing. There is no relay as such, the lights are powered by the "Onboard supply control unit" and this is a currently non repairable unit that costs just under £200 plus installation and coding. I think you are failing to grasp the way the system works, the headlight unit is a dumb part (apart from the range motor), suggesting it needing changing to cure this fault is a little like trying to make a table lamp work by changing the lampshade when the power company has cut off your electricity. There are two connections in the wire to the headlight at fault so the continuity of the wire between the J519 and the bulb fitting may need to be checked.

[kev_yee]

thanks very much crasher
you are obviously very experienced with all this
sorry about you being dazzled by hids. i chose ones that weren't so bright as to cause this problem. you are right, i don't think i've grasped what's going on, mainly because i don't have much experience. but i am trying to learn. hopefully i can learn from people like you.
thanks again.

[Crasher]

Do you have a VAG specialist near you or a garage you have used before and that you trust?