A4QuattroGuy

Hello everyone,

I know we've all seen this issue a million times it seems...Lord knows I have. But I feel compelled to explain my solution to this problem, since Audi doesn't seem to have a true answer to it, in the hopes that maybe my solution will work for someone else out there with this problem. Also, please keep in mind I'm a newbie Audi owner, and this is simply a timeline of events that led to mine being fixed.

I have a 2005.5 B7 A4 2.0T MT6, with adaptive HID lights. About a month ago I noticed my passenger side headlight would flicker, mostly while taking off in 1st, braking hard, or around bumpy turns. Then it progressed to flickering, going out and getting the dipped light message on the display. Re-firing the lights with the switch corrected it every time. A week or so later the drivers' side light started acting the same way. Soon, either one would flicker at any given time, or both at the same time. This wouldn't happen every day, some days they would be fine, no flickering at all.

So I hit up the forums and of course found many similar issues out there. What seemed consistent however was that bringing the car to a dealer to figure out was an adventure to say the least, and if you're out of warranty, like me, an expensive adventure. And more often than not people would leave the dealership only to have the problem still arise again in the near future, but with lighter wallets. Needless to say I was determined to figure this out on my own, or at the very least, exhaust all possibilites I could try myself before bringing to a dealer.

After searching through many many forums, I decided to first check all my wiring connections to the headlights. I unplugged each one, including the seperate connection inside the back of the housing that leads to the HID bulb itself. They seemed fine, but plugged them back in securely.

They still flickered and dipped.

Next, I read that someone had been told by their dealer that an overfilled power steering resevoir can cause this...mainly to the drivers' side light because it's right up against the back of it. Apparently the fluid expands so much it can cause excess vibration around there. It seemed odd to me but I figured I'd have a look. Well, checking the PS fluid dipstick revealed someone (I'm assuming previous owner) had filled the resevoir to OVER the max line. But the fluid was fairly clean, as though this had been done recently. So I proceeded to take a drinking straw and just took some fluid out by placing my finger on top of the straw after dipping it in. I brought the level down to just under half-way between the min and max lines. Perhaps the fluid was leaking out, splashing onto the HID housing and somehow getting inside and hitting the wiring? Who knows, but after doing this, my drivers' side light would still flicker, but not as intensely and for less time. Also, it would not not go out, and I wouldn't get the "left headlight dipped" message. So I'm thinking, OK cool, some progress. But of course, the passenger light still had issues, and the flickering was just generally irritating. So back to the forums I went.

After some additional reading, I noticed one poster that mentioned his dealer told him that water was getting into the ballast, and that's what was causing the flicker. That person seemed to dismiss it, but it got me thinking. I thought back on the past month and tried to remember when I was having the issue. As it turned out, 99% of time they would start flickering during or after a rain storm, or just after I washed the car. So hmmm...maybe water is playing a big role here. Because on dry days, I would have no problem at all. So the next nice day I washed my car, and just kinda held my hose on the windshield for a little while and around the hood. I popped the hood immediately after and noticed water all over my battery and terminals... and water all over everything back there. I thought to myself, "this can't be right...there has to be a battery cover or something I'm missing." Sure enough I was right. After searching online OEM parts catalogs, I found...rightly named....the Rain Tray and Battery Cover. Why they were missing, I have no idea. So anyway I ordered them, came in a week or so, installed them. They just snap right in. I've now been through 4 rainy days, 1 of which was raining literally all day, and have not had a flicker yet.

I don't want to jump to any conclusions just yet. But this, so far, seems to be working. I'm assuming water was maybe hitting the battery terminals causing issues, or water was hitting wires somewhere below back there. So whether it was simply this rain tray and battery cover, or a combination of that with the PS fluid and checking connections, I don't really know. But those are the steps I've taken thus far. Remember, I haven't had the car very long, and I'm new to Audi, so please don't rip on me for not noticing the missing cover. Surely this is not the end all solution as bad bulbs, ballasts, control units, etc. could still be the problem. I simply wanted to get my story out there in hopes it'll help someone else in a similar situation. If the flicker comes back, and all this was for naught, I'll post an update.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Old Dog

Welcome to Audiworld A4QuattroGuy. It was a pleasure reading your first post, and I must say, very well written indeedy .

I really like the fact you did a lot of research on your own and even tried several solutions. I hope the Rain Tray and Battery Cover was your fix, but even if it isn't, you seem like the type of guy to forge on; read more and try even more possible solutions.

I did want to mention that the Rain Tray and Battery Cover is not standard equipment. I had to buy the same setup for my 2007 A4/B7 2.0TQ Tip to help keep the water off of the battery. Also, I wanted it for aesthetic reasons. It makes the engine area cleaner looking. I have a shot of it here on AW as part of My Garage pics. So, even if this isn’t the fix, you now have something that not only looks great IMO, but a functional piece as well. So, all is not lost. It will be just back to the drawing board to resolve those flickering headlights.

Glad you mentioned you’ll keep us posted.

All the best to you and good luck.

Tanket

I just inquired into the batt. cover earlier today for my '06 A4 Q 2.0T, the dealer doesn't even know that it exists. Could you post the part # for both the parts? Thanks

Old Dog

VWC 8E181944701C - Main Cover
VWC 8E1819422A01C - Battery Cover

Tanket

Thanks, just got this from another site, seems to be a L/side engine comp. cover. They're using it with the other 2 parts to keep water out.

Engine Compartment Cover (Left) (Part #8E0103927F)

This is the link and a good install post W/picts.

http://www.audiction.com/audi-mainte...r-kit-install/

Old Dog

Thanks for the third cover link Tanket. They do mention on that site it should just sit in place with some folks preferring to secure it with OEM bolts and hardware. Should you, or others, like to secure it, here is a list of what you will need:

1-Holder (bracket): OEM part # 8E0-899-803
1-Bolt: OEM part # N-105-538-01
2-Spacers: OEM part # 078-129-734-A
2-Grommets: OEM part # 078-129-669

Tanket

Thanks Old Dog, I was wondering about that. Are any of those fasteners already on the vehicle or are all of them needed to do the install?

A4QuattroGuy

Thanks Old Dog for the kind welcome and quick reply

I'm surprised to learn the tray and cover are not standard equipment. Considering the placement of the battery, and how much water ends up in and around there, you'd think Audi would just make it standard.

I took a look at the link Tanket posted and saw there's also a left engine compartment cover. I'm going to pick this up as well, because as Old Dog said...it's functional, and the rain tray and cover certainly cleaned up the look, so if anything the left engine cover will add to the aesthetics

Thanks again.

Tanket

Also, are there any fasteners needed for the first 2 covers??

Old Dog

I'll be right behind you in the very near future with the installation of the left engine compartment cover as well. I've had the part numbers for a while, but had other things to do.

All the best.