DRL Intermittently Working on Drivers Side

[Dominick Kell]

Currently driving a A6 (C7) 3.0 TDI Quattro (245BHP) SE with 97,000 miles. Over the past two months the car has displayed "Right Side Light/Daytime Running Light" fault and it was!

I bought the car just under 12 months ago from Audi with an Audi extended warranty which expires the end of Jan 2106 so I need to react :aargh4:

The first time it happened it was in Nov 15 on the way to work... I called Audi and they arranged an appointment to trouble shoot the car. When I left work that evening the DRLs worked! So I called Audi and asked would I still drop on the car in and they said no point without the fault...just monitor and call back if it returns/stays. But I assume the ECU had recorded the fault??? So we cancelled the appointment at the time.

All was good until this week and the intermittent issue return. Same story.... it faulted on 2 occasions and the fault would happen on start up (lights on) .....once I'd leave the car after completing the journey and by the time I came back (+30 minutes) they would work.... Me thinking just stop working full stop so I cold bring it to Audi with the actual fault!

Is this a common issue on this model...

I assume Its not a bulb.... since it either works (on/off)

Its not the ballast or it would be flickering I believe if faulty or it would not function at all.

I assume its the igniter? Is this a good guess?

Time to bring it into Audi either ways before the warranty expires. Interested to hear if anyone has had this issue. I'll post the outcome..:confused:

[ukgroucho]

I do not think it is a common issue.

In terms of your way forwards... You have reported the issue during the warranty period - yes it is intermittent but you HAVE reported it. And that means that they (Audi - or whoever the warranty is with) have an obligation to fix it.

You need to establish and agree with them that they acknowledge that the issue has been logged during the warranty period, and that (yes) it is intermittent - and that they will fix it.

If they push back on this then you basically take the line that there is an intermittent fault with the DRL and you need them to fix it - they are welcome to have your car (providing the provide an equivalent or better loan car) until the issue materialises enough for them to resolve.

Basically you need a path that allows you to get them to fix the issue under the warranty that you purchased.

[noscream]

If the fault is intermittent, it does not matter, it will be logged into the memory of the system.
If not (not monitored) still does not matter, when it happens, get out, get your mobile phone out & VIDEO REC. the light displaying the fault/issue.
Tell them you need it sorting out as it is a reoccurring issue....

They will most likely replace the whole module (Lamp).
Make sure the cost is covered under warranty... or you pay a min.
You will need to give them the car to do this, ask for a courtesy car if possible... (pre-arrange).

ukgroucho is absolutely spot on.

[johnsimcox]

The DRLs are LEDs so don't think they have either a ballast or igniter as these are only for the Xenon units that require a high voltage. Most likely it is either a faulty LED unit or a faulty connection, perhaps something to do with the dimming that occurs when the indicator is activated. As it is intermittent I would suggest photographing or better still taking a bit of video showing the dash warning and the unit not working. You can then clearly show there is a fault and ask them to fix it, whether it happens when they have the car in or not.

[Dominick Kell]

Thanks all for the feedback.

So I've generated an email which details the fault on the four occasions. As suggested I did take photos of the display faults and the front of the car each time the four faults happened. I've also provided a summary for each of the faults and how it recovered from the faults.

I'm holding off from sending the email until Monday morning after I drive to work in case it happens again... And if it happens on the way to work I'm doing a detour to the Audi dealership even though its out of the way!

Johnsimcox thanks for the technical input. Once its sorted I'll post the outcome in case others have the same issue.

Thanks all.

Will keep you all posted

[Dominick Kell]

Update!

In relation to the original issue with the DRL intermittent fault. The car was brought to Audi while it was still in warranty (Audi used car warranty 12 Months). The service team manager called me and stated that the entire head lamp unit had to be replaced to address the issue. The took the car in and replaced the head lamp unit and no cost was incurred. And yes the ECU recorded the fault code which enabled them to determine the fault since it was not present when the car was sent in. Hope this helps anyone with the same issue.

[Akash]

Out of interest, how do the two now look?
I've got an interesting question from the MIL who has a Civic but has done 100k miles + and requires a headlight change due to a crash. Insurance will replace one however I was wondering in both yours and her cases, you now have one headlight that that is brand new, glass is untouched by the road/weathering etc and then you have another thats gone through 97000 miles albeit I'm sure the Audi parts generally will wear a lot better than a Honda

Also how the heck did you get a 90 year extended warranty? :- )

[Dominick Kell]

Audi used car service covered everything up to 12 months. Was worth it! So the two headlamps look identical with no discolouration of the plastic although the car is a 2011. If you look closely you can see that the old one has slight marks from pebbles and grit thrown up bit I can live with it... I guess if one wanted to be fussy they could have the headlamp polished to match them but it's grand as it is...