Weird lights problem

Witchfinder · #1 7th April 2015, 09:48 AM

Hello all. I've had my S8 a couple of weeks now. One of the first things I noticed about it was this curious little switch. It doesn't seem to do anything at all, and I've toggled it back and forth a few times over the past couple of weeks, hoping to notice a difference. The only difference I have noticed is that in the down position, I get a more bumpy ride feeling from the back end.

Then last night, driving home on the M60 in heavy fog, I tried to use the fog lights. The fronts worked fine, but the rears did not engage, and interestingly, the light on the dash did not come on. That got me to thinking that maybe the switch is related to an aftermarket towbar.

I looked under the back of the car this morning, and can't see any evidence of a towbar prep. Toggling the switch doesn't affect the fog lamps, so now I have no idea what is going on. It can't be bulbs, because I'd expect a bulb warning, and the dash light to still come on.

If anyone has any suggestions or thoughts, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

HPsauce · #2 7th April 2015, 09:50 AM

Not OEM for sure.

Witchfinder · #3 7th April 2015, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HPsauce

Not OEM for sure.

Yeah, it does stand out glaringly, but I have no idea what it does. Any thoughts on the fog lamp problem?

Witchfinder · #4 7th April 2015, 02:53 PM

OK, quick update - I took it back to the Jag dealer in Leeds who didn't have a clue, and have booked me into the Stockport Audi dealer for them to sort it - fortunately under warranty.

Hopefully they'll install facelift light clusters. Well, I can dream, can't I?

I'll post back when I find out what the problem is.

The_Laird · #5 8th April 2015, 09:01 AM

I had a similar switch on mine that by-passed the TV in motion switch, so you could watch TV on the move.

Witchfinder · #6 10th April 2015, 02:08 PM

Stockport Audi are a bit stumped. Apparently the car thinks there's a trailer attached, which is why it's not activating the fogs. They're still working on it.

UPDATE: As I understand it, the situation is this:

•The S8 I bought from as previously had an aftermarket towing kit fitted.
•The towing kit has subsequently been removed from my car prior to me viewing and purchasing it. I assume this was done by the former keeper before s/he traded it in.
•The towing kit was wired in such a way that it is connected electrically to the rear seat entertainment system.
•Removing the fuse connected to this system confirms our suspicions - when the fuse is out, the RSE doesn't work, but the foglights do work. While the fuse is connected, the RSE will work, but the foglights do not; the car behaves as if a trailer were connected and registers a number of fault codes.
•At present, the fuse is sitting in my cupholder. The kids will have to make do without the RSE until this gets resolved, as safety and roadworthiness is my primary concern.

The dealer group are going to talk to their "warranty clerk" on Monday. This had better be covered or the words "unroadworthy condition" and "Sale of Goods Act 1979" might be seeing some use.

Witchfinder · #7 15th April 2015, 02:34 PM

Well, they refused a warranty claim on the grounds that it wasn't OEM. So after some "negotiation" they've agreed to get the wiring sorted anyway. Result.

It goes in on Monday to the Jag Dealer. It'll be interesting to see what I get as a courtesy car...

Delboy · #8 15th April 2015, 04:58 PM

To be fair that's the only reasonable outcome, they can't expect you as a buyer to know whats been modified on it prior to purchase and as you said its not safe if the fog lights don't work.

At least your getting it fixed, the you and the kids will be happy

Witchfinder · #9 15th April 2015, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delboy

To be fair that's the only reasonable outcome, they can't expect you as a buyer to know whats been modified on it prior to purchase and as you said its not safe if the fog lights don't work.

At least your getting it fixed, the you and the kids will be happy

That was precisely my argument. They insist their MOT station who checked the car over are really sharp, but they blatantly cannot have tested the lights, given the wiring arrangements. They also managed to miss a dangerous tyre that was gouged right down to the reinforcement, but that's a different story (and another one they've agreed to pay for - sadly I have to pay for the other rear tyre).

Witchfinder · #10 14th May 2015, 08:16 PM

For anyone who is interested, this apparently didn't need any wiring - the towbar ECU just needed resetting.