(very) poor HID Headlights

**hidnmine** · 20-10-2014,01:06 PM

Hi,

I recently bought a 2009 Audi A6 with Xenon HID headlights.
The first time I went out on a dark country road, I thought they must be faulty. Dip is not too bad, but main beam hardly projects at all beyond the dip range, and lights up way high into the trees.

At first I thought they must be faulty - it looks a bit like when the headlight bulb hasn't located properly, but on inspection I can't find anything wrong, and both headlights are behaving the same..

Is this normal? Can I do anything to improve the lights?

Thanks,
Andy

**zollaf** · 20-10-2014,01:49 PM

well, the hid bit is only dip beam. high beam is another bulb. if they are pointing ok on dip but up in the trees on high then it does sound like both bulbs are located incorrectly or otherwise faulty. the only adjustment will adjust dip and high together.

**johnsimcox** · 20-10-2014,01:56 PM

Originally Posted by zollaf

well, the hid bit is only dip beam. high beam is another bulb. if they are pointing ok on dip but up in the trees on high then it does sound like both bulbs are located incorrectly or otherwise faulty. the only adjustment will adjust dip and high together.

Think the facelift, which an 09 probably is, has Bi-Xenon so dip andmain in single bulb and the inner unit is for flashing

**hidnmine** · 20-10-2014,02:01 PM

Yes, it's definitely a bi-xenon. The second bulb is a (completely useless) cornering light i.e. it comes on when the steering wheel is about half a turn from straight ahead.

**MarkTM** · 20-10-2014,04:31 PM

Take them to an MOT place to check the aim.

I think the bulbs from Audi ar around £130 each, however I'v seen no difference between OEM and cheap Xenon bulbs, they all need to be changed every couple of years.

With a facelift you'll have D3S bulbs and you can buy a new pair delivered for under £27

2PCS D1S D2S/C D2R D3S D4 HID Car Head Fog Light Xenon Replacement Bulbs All new | eBay

**Auto Union Avus** · 24-10-2014,08:49 AM

Mine are rubbish as well, in fact you can see more if you hold the main beam on which activates the halogen bulb. The first picture below is just HID main beam and the second picture is holding the main beam stalk back. My car is the facelift one with LED DRL's so the HID does main and dipped.
HID Main Beam.jpg Holding main beam.jpg

Need to work out if there is anyway of getting the halogens to come on with normal main beam, not just the pull the lever back and flash someone.

Cheers

Stuart

**hidnmine** · 24-10-2014,05:46 PM

Mine is also the facelift.
What I don't understand is why? If it's not a fault, why does high beam throw light so far off the road (into the sky)!
If I have time/weather, I'll remove the headlights this weekend for a closer look.
I'll also buy a pair of new lamps - the aftermarket ones are cheap enough - to see if they are any brighter.

**MarkTM** · 24-10-2014,08:23 PM

Originally Posted by MarkTM

I think the bulbs from Audi are around £130 each, however I've seen no difference between OEM and cheap Xenon bulbs, they all need to be changed every couple of years.

This guy makes a good point, you'll notice the difference if your bulbs are the original ones

**hidnmine** · 27-10-2014,09:55 PM

Stripped it down for a look-see at the weekend.
No obvious fault. Switching to main beam simply removes a shutter (a bit like a camera shutter) from in front of the HID.
It does what it's meant to..
I've ordered a pair of 6000k lamps. When I get a chance I'll replace them and see if it's any better.

Cheers,
Andy

**EssexGonzo** · 27-10-2014,10:53 PM

6000k will just change them from white to "Max Power" blue. Although you'll probably get the effect of a new bulb over and above the old ones.

OEM is 3100k or thereabouts. More natural looking without the bling effect.