Headlight Flashing while vehicle is off

[JPT]

72k miles CPO (until Sep this year) I have talked about this before. The problem is still happening:

If I go into my car (trunk, door...) the headlights will flash on and then off.

So far the dealer has replaced, the ECM, ignition switch, and both ballasts. I have already had one bulb go bad, I do not what to have to keep replace bulbs because of this issue.

This is a video that I recorded and gave it to them, because they wouldn't believe me and, kept telling me they couldn't replicate the issue.

[naiku]

Do you have your foglights modified to come on independantly using the method of wrapping 2 pins and taping over another? The reason I ask is that a while back my headlights (halogen mind) would sometimes flicker randomly, turned out the tape had slipped off the pin.

[JPT]

Do you have your foglights modified to come on independantly using the method of wrapping 2 pins and taping over another? The reason I ask is that a while back my headlights (halogen mind) would sometimes flicker randomly, turned out the tape had slipped off the pin.

No. I do not have anything on my headlight system modified. The only thing is now I have some ECS 5,000K bulbs, but in this video, it was the stock Audi bulbs.

[PNW Avant]

Why would they replace all the stuff if they didn't believe you?

[JPT]

Why would they replace all the stuff if they didn't believe you?

I have no idea... they had my car for weeks...

I suggested they look at the ballasts as per Phil. They didn't even entertain the idea then when they went on replacefest 2012. This year (couple weeks back) I brought it back, for the same thing, and they replaced the ballasts.

But the issue still happens.

[adub]

Bad Ballasts or a sign of them about to go out. All three of my B7's have done this.

[doughboy17]

Mine does the same thing, but as far as I can tell it is completely random. I will be out there working on the car sometimes or just be in my garage and they flash. Phil told me it was the ballasts going bad, and I do not doubt him. Since I was not willing to pay to replace the ballasts and cannot spare the car to send them to Phil, I stopped worrying about it.

When you find out, please post to this thread.

[airbornerifleman]

Since the OP had his ballasts changed out, the only thing I can suggest is the actual headlight switch.

OP, swap your HL switch with a local B7 ziner and see what happens.

[konarider94]

its haunted

[DRAKLORE]

Mine has always done this

[DavidAAG]

Damn they had your car for weeks. For this little problem. My car been doing this for the 2 years I had it. It's normal. Don't worry about it. Your battery won't die it anything.

[A4FL]

Mine does it too. Just the driver's side and it happens about 2-3 minutes after I shut the car off.

[gdlkn84as]

I would sooooo rather have this problem, than have my lights flicker and turn off every 10 seconds lol! Only if I lived closer to phil...

[1auburn]

Mine has always done this

Mine too have done this since day one. Had the car for about 4 years now. First time it happened I thought I saw it through a window and just the alarm arming, like I sat on the remote. Until I remembered that only the turn signals flash. 4 years and no dead ballasts.

[1auburn]

Mine has always done this

Mine too have done this since day one. Had the car for about 4 years now. First time it happened I thought I saw it through a window and just the alarm arming, like I sat on the remote. Until I remembered that only the turn signals flash. 4 years and no dead ballasts.

[1auburn]

And it's both lights when it does happen.

[JPT]

Seems a lot of people have this problem. Yes, they replaced both ballasts three weeks ago. Mine only does it if I go into the car, or trunk. I also do not lock my car as it is garaged.

I have had to replace the bulbs already. I don't want to have to keep replacing them, as we know short bursts of use in HID bulbs, drastically reduced the life expectancy of them.

[rongeur]

Mine have done this for years. They have not gone bad despite Phil's warnings. I still maintain that it is the high capacity capacitor discharging its load after the car is off. It happens consistently after locking the car after the headlights have been on. My headlights don't flicker and work perfectly otherwise. TBH, all this replacing ballasts and bulbs for something that is not affecting performance during operation is a waste of time and the fact that you have given up your car for weeks due to this is insane. If your xenons flicker during operation or turn off when supposed to be on, that is one thing. My 0.02 only

[JPT]

Mine have done this for years. They have not gone bad despite Phil's warnings. I still maintain that it is the high capacity capacitor discharging its load after the car is off. It happens consistently after locking the car after the headlights have been on. My headlights don't flicker and work perfectly otherwise. TBH, all this replacing ballasts and bulbs for something that is not affecting performance during operation is a waste of time and the fact that you have given up your car for weeks due to this is insane. If your xenons flicker during operation or turn off when supposed to be on, that is one thing. My 0.02 only

One of my bulbs went bad,I didn't just change them on a whim. My car is CPO, I intend to address everything I can prior to September when it ends. The Dealership said they found problems with the parts they replaced, should I have told them no?

It is very bad for HID bulbs to come on and go off quickly. Is it not understandable that I don't want to have to change the bulbs prematurely again?

[rongeur]

One of my bulbs went bad,I didn't just change them on a whim. My car is CPO, I intend to address everything I can prior to September when it ends. The Dealership said they found problems with the parts they replaced, should I have told them no?

It is very bad for HID bulbs to come on and go off quickly. Is it not understandable that I don't want to have to change the bulbs prematurely again?

I may have assumed too much into your situation, it's just that everyone saying that this flicker after running them is a sign of imminent failure and the ballasts need to be changed is a little too alarmist. I and many others have noted this flicker and have not had any problems (knock on wood, 2.5 years now of daily driving about 20k mi/yr). Furthermore your ballasts were replaced yet, if I understand correctly, you still witness the flash.

[JPT]

I may have assumed too much into your situation, it's just that everyone saying that this flicker after running them is a sign of imminent failure and the ballasts need to be changed is a little too alarmist. I and many others have noted this flicker and have not had any problems (knock on wood, 2.5 years now of daily driving about 20k mi/yr). Furthermore your ballasts were replaced yet, if I understand correctly, you still witness the flash.

Correct. 3 weeks ago the dealership replaced both ballasts. My only concern is the longevity of my bulbs. I don't want to have to drop $200+ every few years to replace bulbs.

[fly300kts]

Ballast don't need to be replaced, just overhauled

Phil

[JPT]

Ballast don't need to be replaced, just overhauled

Phil

Would it be likely that brand new Audi ballasts would surfer from the same issue? (Just wondering)

[fly300kts]

You never know with electronic components

Phil

[JPT]

You never know with electronic components

Phil

Would one bad ballast lead to only one side discharge? I would think that the chance of two new ballasts being bad would be slim.

[fly300kts]

Yes they are independent

Phil

[JPT]

Yes they are independent

Phil

Yeah, then I'm going to have to assume my issue is not ballast related. I have no idea what it could be.

[eMacPaul]

Does this happen to you guys with the headlights turned off or left in auto? I used to leave mine on auto all the time, and definitely noticed it then (when the car was new). I now turn them on or off each time manually, and perhaps it's still happening, but I haven't noticed it for a few years now.

[JPT]

Does this happen to you guys with the headlights turned off or left in auto? I used to leave mine on auto all the time, and definitely noticed it then (when the car was new). I now turn them on or off each time manually, and perhaps it's still happening, but I haven't noticed it for a few years now.

I do leave mine in auto. I haven't tried to see if it happens when in the off position.

I guess I should try it, but if this is the solution, it is complete BS, 2 of the three main reasons I got this car was for HID's, Auto on/off.

[PiersB]

I'm glad I'm not the only one with this. I never heard anyone else mention this before, so I always thought it was just my car. The lights flash so quick like a camera flash, it's always hard to catch it. It's actually been awhile now, probably a year since this has happened, but at least I know now that I'm not the only one. The only thing I've ever done with the lights is had the bulbs replaced under warranty, but the ballasts are still original. If it means anything, I keep my car in the Auto position also.

[fly300kts]

Try for couple weeks to unselect the Auto position

Phil

[JPT]

Thanks Phil.

I just hate not using Auto... LOL... I'm so spoiled, everytime I drive another car, I look at the steering wheel with disgust if I have to touch the headlight or the wipers LOL.