Rear LED tail light flicker weird!

Hi all.

First post and and looks like a common fault but not quite found what I'm looking for ( not a U2 quote)

car is 2008 2.7 avant Le Mans

2nd time today I've been flagged by another motorist saying my rear led lights ( not high level or brake lights) flick/flash on ever so quickly.

Had ad a look tonight with auto lights off and finally saw it. You'll almost miss it if you blink. Sometimes left or right one but not necessarily one after the other sometimes one will do it twice.

If if it was nackered completely I'd start looking at the earth thing being bad but this seems a bit weird.


Please can can anyone tell me wher to start. Thanks all in advance.

Dom.

Just be clear the lights are standard led tail lights. Ta.

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Originally Posted by Begazzz

Hi all.

First post and and looks like a common fault but not quite found what I'm looking for ( not a U2 quote)

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LOL , Welcome to VWAF! :D .

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Originally Posted by Begazzz

car is 2008 2.7 avant Le Mans

2nd time today I've been flagged by another motorist saying my rear led lights ( not high level or brake lights) flick/flash on ever so quickly.

Had ad a look tonight with auto lights off and finally saw it. You'll almost miss it if you blink. Sometimes left or right one but not necessarily one after the other sometimes one will do it twice.

If if it was nackered completely I'd start looking at the earth thing being bad but this seems a bit weird.


Please can can anyone tell me wher to start.

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If in your shoes I'd first remove the tail light units to inspect connections.

Yea guess your right. I suppose there are wires going back up to feed the lights in the tailgate as well? But they are doing the same thing so if they are in line then that should be the source. If not I'll smash it to pieces and sell it. ;) I just think it's weird they are both doing it.

Outer tail lights harness goes into body, then control unit.

Inner tail lights harness goes to hinge, then control unit.

IIRC :D .

Will look at wiring diagram and other stuff tomorrow ;) .

TBH first thing I'd have done is scanned car with VCDS ;) but as I think you don't have that I skipped that step :) .

Are their any dash warnings of bulb failure?

Annoyingly was in Heavitree (Exeter) yesterday and had my laptop and VCDS with me.

If you ever drive up as far as Weston then let me know and I'll do a scan for you? :)

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Originally Posted by MarkTM

Are their any dash warnings of bulb failure?

Annoyingly was in Heavitree (Exeter) yesterday and had my laptop and VCDS with me.

If you ever drive up as far as Weston then let me know and I'll do a scan for you? :)

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Thanks for that appreciate the offer. May well do as its dying for a run anyway. There are no warning lights showing at the moment either.

Hi just an update. Checked connections and continuity of lights in main body (can't work out how to get to ones in tailgate)

anyway all look good and clean with no signs of sooting. After watching a bit longer it has a cycle. All LEDs light up very briefly (tailgate and wing lights then a few seconds later just the ones in the tailgate come on very briefly. (High level one not affected) only one side at a time? Weirder!

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Originally Posted by Begazzz

Checked connections and continuity of lights in main body (can't work out how to get to ones in tailgate)

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Where the warning triangle is located in the tailgate open that cover, then you will see 2 plastic slot head locking elements either side, twist each 90 degrees (IIRC) and then the outer covers where you would assume the rear of tailgate lights to be should come off.

Okey dokey. I'll check them tomorrow before I book it in I think as it's such a autonomous rhythmical pattern of flickering it must be a control unit or sumink ....

Check they are coded to highline. You have said they are standard led lights but we're they retrofitted. If so they will need recoding to prevent the bulb test feature of the ecu flashing them

Hi sounds promising. I'll text the last owner and see if he fitted them. Can I ask if it's a simple job that main dealer wouldn't rip me off for doing or find an independant garage ( I'm nr barnstaple)

Previous owner says they are standard. Think I'll have to book it in somewhere :(

Surely there will be a member near you with VCDS who will scan it for you. The usual charge is free or a beer token or two. See Chris's signature for the list. Fraid I am in Yorkshire or I would have done it for you.

Yes I had a look and emailed one guy in barnstaple but no reply. There is a pretty good tech at the bosch centre so just going bite the bullet. Thanks all and if a fix is found I'll post it.

I had LED tail lights retro-fitted in my last 2006 A6 2.7tdi and the same thing occurred.

This was being caused by the lamp failure sensing system generating pulses for filament lamps. The duration of these pulses are too short to illuminate bulbs with filament heaters, but long enough to trigger LEDs.

At the time, my experience with VCDS was rather limited, so took it in to my local Audi dealer and they sorted it for an hour's labour charge.

I hope this helps.


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Hi. That's interesting. Wonder if the lights were retrofitted despite last owners insistence they were original. ? It was registered 1st aug 2008 in case there are any Led nerds out there ;)

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Originally Posted by Begazzz

Hi. That's interesting. Wonder if the lights were retrofitted despite last owners insistence they were original. ? It was registered 1st aug 2008 in case there are any Led nerds out there ;)

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Best thing is to ring Audi parts dept at a dealer, give VIN and they should be able to tell you what it should have from factory.

Also Audi Customer Care line can IIRC.

PR Code 8SK = Taillight assemblies with diodes (LED) , usually not found on the data sticker in spare wheel well / service log but you could have a check. VAG systems should find this code associated with your VIN, if fitted from factory.

Always worth asking your local dealer for your 'car data' sheet, it's free and lists everything.

My 07 is '8SK', although it is a saloon.

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Originally Posted by estwick

At the time, my experience with VCDS was rather limited, so took it in to my local Audi dealer and they sorted it for an hour's labour charge.

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an hours labour for, no lies, a max of 10 minutes work. Sometimes Audi really let themselves down. Maybe it's a minimum charge. Maybe it's to pay for the showroom, I dunno

Still no joy. No fault codes. Here's a video link on YouTube. tech didn't see it happen but any tips so I can piont him in the right direction welcome

http://youtu.be/Ki3wGzOTKQQ

one further thought is wiring fir tow bar is botched

Private video.

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Originally Posted by B5NUT

Private video.

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Hi. Sorry should be ok now.

Maybe it was a police car in a previous life? :)