Baffled by my headlights

[Oodoom]

Hello all, I am a properly confused noob and could do with some advice about my headlights and their adjustment (or lack of!)

Im informed by this very forum that I have the standard xenon lights on my car (see photo) - and I think this is backed up by the fact that there is no height adjustment knob inside the car.

My dip beams are pointing into the ground and badly need adjusting. Ive read through various forums and the most often suggested method is to use a combination of VCDS and manual adjustment on top of the headlight units themselves. ie. Using module 55 in VCDS, put it into learn mode, manually adjust them to where you want them to be, and the car should then accept the new position as default.

Working on the assumption that this is the right method (but please tell me if its not!), I have a couple of problems:

1. Module 55 is visible when Im connected to VCDS, but I cant connect to it. Does this mean I don't have xenons after all? Or do I have a VCDS issue?

2. All advice says that there is an obvious white adjuster screw on top of the headlight - but I cant figure out if Ive even got manual adjustment on my lights (see other photo). Can anyone shed some light on which of the visible screws (if any) are the up/down adjustment?

if I haven't got an adjuster on the dash, I cant connect to module 55, and there is no manual adjustment on the lights themselves, how the blinking heck am I meant to adjust my dip beam reach so I can see past my bumper?

Cheers in advance!

[snapdragon]

Are you using this manual?
p129
See picture, the adjusters are right at the back of the lamp assy.

[mannyo]

Whatever you do please make sure you put the lights into learn mode before attempting any adjustment. Failure to do so will cause the lights to attempt to reposition themselves as they are now, except they will be in the wrong place on the manual adjuster and could possibly come off the end of the motor adjustment drive.

You should be able to connect to module 55, if you cannot there maybe an issue with that controller that is causing the light problem anyway.

This is what happens when I scan module 55 (old scan)

Address 55: Xenon Range Labels: 4E0-910-357.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 357 HW: 4E0 907 357
Component: Pre-AFS H01 0030
Revision: 00000001 Serial number:
Coding: 0000001
Shop #: WSC 02311 785 00200
VCID: E2CF2EBB44DF

No fault code found.

[Rick]

Ignore the bonnet puller spliter. See the 2 white allen head plastic things in the background. They are the manual adjusters on the driverside.

[Delboy]

I have this problem every year, the bloody testing station ramp I suspect is not level and they then adjust the headlights without putting it in learn mode and then first night out driving it's looking at the floor.

As for your Vcds which version is it?

[tonupkid]

Originally Posted by Delboy

I have this problem every year, the bloody testing station ramp I suspect is not level and they then adjust the headlights without putting it in learn mode and then first night out driving it's looking at the floor.

As for your Vcds which version is it?

I had an independent MOT station do the same with mine, left them looking at the floor. I got them back with the manual adjusters and have only had it MOT'd at Audi since.
I hate the thought of some **** who can't be bothered to check what they'r doing, messing about with my car

[Oodoom]

Thanks for the replies gents - Ive poked around a bit, borrowed a VCDS and done some more reading on forums, and Ive decided that my Headlight Range Module is kaput - I get the following 2 faults:

Address 19: CAN Gateway :
01771 - Control Module for Headlight Range (J431)
004 - No Signal/Communication
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01100100
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 195
Mileage: 143905 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2016.08.11
Time: 13:58:24

and

Address 55: Headlight Range
Cannot be reached


So, I reached the conclusion that I could adjust the lights manually and because the control unit is kaput it wouldn't try to correct my adjustment.

Which is exactly what happened - I used the white adjusters (thanks Rick) to set the dip beams at a more useful level, and they've stayed that way.

Apparently to replace the control unit is a dashboard dismantling exercise so I think I can live with old-school manual adjustment for the time being!

Thanks again

[mattylondon]

Originally Posted by Oodoom

Apparently to replace the control unit is a dashboard dismantling exercise so I think I can live with old-school manual adjustment for the time being!

Yes, it's a few dashboard trims / vent off and cluster removal.

Marcin put together an excellent how to in this thread
http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=9131