Headlight confusion?!?

[mysticjocephus]

I have an '02 A4 Quattro 3.0 and for the life of me, I can't seem to figure out which headlight bulbs I'm supposed to have, and/or how to replace them. I have only had the car for a few months and I drive with my fog lights on constantly because the stock low-beam lights don't seem to do much. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sorry if this has been answered elsewhere, I tried searching and reading through the forum but cannot seem to find anything. First time posting here, so sorry for dumb question. Thanks guys!

[A4-Mike]

H7 helegons are stock low and high beam.
I think the only ones with xenon are the S4 models.

02 A4 B6 1.8TQ Stage 3

[WeekendDriver]

H7 helegons are stock low and high beam.
I think the only ones with xenon are the S4 models.

That's certainly not true for European B6 cars. There were xenon A4 lights, and there also were bi-xenon S4 lights. The S4 lights have a wider lens.

[yanni6556]

That's certainly not true for European B6 cars. There were xenon A4 lights, and there also were bi-xenon S4 lights. The S4 lights have a wider lens.

My 3.0 has Xenons (Australia market)

[A4-Mike]

That's certainly not true for European B6 cars. There were xenon A4 lights, and there also were bi-xenon S4 lights. The S4 lights have a wider lens.

OK, I knew S4 B6 had them just wasn't sure if the A4s did the 2 I've owned were both helegons that I modded to xenon, maybe be it's an option on original purchase?

(Australian Market aswell)

02 A4 B6 1.8TQ Stage 3

[Nollywood]

Single Xenon was optional on A4 models. My 2003 Avant Quattro 1.8T SE had factory single Xenon headlamps.

[userbob0001]

I have found the Sylvania guide very useful on a few different cars. I think S4s had bixenons stock. Xenons were an option on A4s back to 2000 i think.

[imnuts]

H7 helegons are stock low and high beam.
I think the only ones with xenon are the S4 models.

02 A4 B6 1.8TQ Stage 3

Many A4s came with xenon's from the factory, and it was more likely to be 3.0s as they had more standard equipment than 1.8s.

I have an '02 A4 Quattro 3.0 and for the life of me, I can't seem to figure out which headlight bulbs I'm supposed to have, and/or how to replace them. I have only had the car for a few months and I drive with my fog lights on constantly because the stock low-beam lights don't seem to do much. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sorry if this has been answered elsewhere, I tried searching and reading through the forum but cannot seem to find anything. First time posting here, so sorry for dumb question. Thanks guys!

You're going to need to pull the headlight housings to figure out what bulbs you need.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL

[MacFady]

As others have stated b6 A4s definitely had single Xenon option in NA, it would be your low beam.
Just look at the front and see if it has a projector, I'm almost positive the b6's with halogens didn't come with a halogen projector lens.
This is a B7, but you can see the visual difference.

[WeekendDriver]

I have never seen an A4 without the projector lens. Surprised they did it in B7, but no, I believe halogen B6s also came with a lens.
Ex.: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-valeo-pa.../b6a4ecodehal/

[Nollywood]

All B6 models have ellipsoid projectors in the dipped beam headlamp, regardless of if they were fitted with Xenon or Halogen dipped beam from the factory.

Very different to the B7, which had regular reflectors in non-Xenon headlamps.

[MacFady]

All B6 models have ellipsoid projectors in the dipped beam headlamp, regardless of if they were fitted with Xenon or Halogen dipped beam from the factory.

Very different to the B7, which had regular reflectors in non-Xenon headlamps.

Well now I learned something. I was thinking after that I couldn't recall seeing a B6 without a projector but then again I didn't know if I'd seen a B6 with halogens.

[obaka]

how to tell if a projector headlamp in a B6 is Xenon and no Halogen? maybe the cutoff can tell, or the color of the light?

[Nollywood]

how to tell if a projector headlamp in a B6 is Xenon and no Halogen? maybe the cutoff can tell, or the color of the light?

B6 equipped with factory Xenon headlamps will have headlamp washers as standard. Also, the manual headlamp level adjustment rotary switch, which is standard in B6 models equipped with Halogen headlamps, will be missing.

[obaka]

B6 equipped with factory Xenon headlamps will have headlamp washers as standard. Also, the manual headlamp level adjustment rotary switch, which is standard in B6 models equipped with Halogen headlamps, will be missing.

thx!

[userbob0001]

I was under the impression all B6s had standard headlight washers. I definitely have factory washers without factory xenons. I believe all the HID housings have a high voltage warning on one of the rear covers and xenon lamps will have a ballast on the bottom of the housing while halogens will have an indentation where one would fit.. The way they turn on is significantly different if you're familiar with HIDs.

[WeekendDriver]

Only B6s with factory Xenons have headlight washers. Factory halogen cars don't have them. My B6 doesn't (wish I knew all this when I was buying the car).

[jonan]

Only B6s with factory Xenons have headlight washers. Factory halogen cars don't have them. My B6 doesn't (wish I knew all this when I was buying the car).

my b6 with factory halogens had headlight washers, i wish it came with a 6 sp instead of those stupid washers tho

[Turbo510]

I have an '02 A4 Quattro 3.0 and for the life of me, I can't seem to figure out which headlight bulbs I'm supposed to have, and/or how to replace them. I have only had the car for a few months and I drive with my fog lights on constantly because the stock low-beam lights don't seem to do much.

If your 3.0 has Xenons, and my '05 3.0 does, I can say that changing the bulbs is actually pretty easy once you've done it. My Xenon lights were very dim when I got the car, and when I removed the "bulbs" I could see why; the glass arc chamber was totally opaque white. I ordered OE type Sylvania D1S units from autohausaz, and I would skip the popular blue tints. Here's how I went about changing them:

Attach a T30 Torx bit to an extension; 1/4" drive is best due to tight clearances. Remove the two upper screws at each headlight, then locate and loosen by a few turns, two lower screws. On the driver's side, you may find it easier to remove the two screws (10mm hex heads) which hold the power steering reservoir, so it can be shoved over a little to access one of the lower screws. On the passenger side, remove the intake duct to access those lower screws.

Pull the headlight assemblies out the front- but you'll need to unlatch each headlight's electrical connector. Move them to a work table.

On the rear of the headlights is a plastic door with a wire clip retainer. There were also a couple of small Torx screws to remove. Open the doors and you will see the back of your bulb, a shiny rectangular metal box with a connector. The small connector pushes off, then grasp the metal box and pull straight out from the retaining spring fingers. Install the new ones carefully, pressing fully into the spring finger retainer. Plug the connector on, close the door, and reinstall the headlight assembly. Make sure the headlight assemblies are up against the two adjusting screws as you tighten the four housing retaining screws, to keep the aim correct.

While mine was out, I went some extra steps and poured a cup or so of industrial-strength Isopropyl alcohol into the headlight with the lens facing down, shook it around to clean the inside of the lens and the reflectors. After that, I used a polishing kit on the outside of the lens. Nice, bright lights now!

[AvantNoir]

my b6 with factory halogens had headlight washers, i wish it came with a 6 sp instead of those stupid washers tho

Mine too. 2005 Ultrasport Avant. Factory halogens and headlight washers. Was very surprised that they weren't Xenons. Also wish it had a six speed instead of the headlight washers. I find the washers to be absolutely useless here in Los Angeles. They just make a mess of the car. Will probably disconnect them soon.

[imnuts]

B6 equipped with factory Xenon headlamps will have headlamp washers as standard. Also, the manual headlamp level adjustment rotary switch, which is standard in B6 models equipped with Halogen headlamps, will be missing.

Only B6s with factory Xenons have headlight washers. Factory halogen cars don't have them. My B6 doesn't (wish I knew all this when I was buying the car).

I think the level adjustment switch/knob, and lack of headlight washers only applies in Europe, not the US. The high voltage sticker and ballast under the housing should apply for all xenon equipped cars.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL

[WeekendDriver]

Hm, I didn't know headlight washer was a separate option independent from xenon. Sorry for the misinformation.

[jonan]

Mine too. 2005 Ultrasport Avant. Factory halogens and headlight washers. Was very surprised that they weren't Xenons. Also wish it had a six speed instead of the headlight washers. I find the washers to be absolutely useless here in Los Angeles. They just make a mess of the car. Will probably disconnect them soon.

lol, the only time i recall them working was when the guy who sold me the car at the dealer showed me how they worked...but after a few years of salt they seized and didn't work the first time i actually tried to use them...i remember blowing my fuse cause the motor tried to actuate but couldn't move the washers out of their housings...

[Matt Devo]

lol, the only time i recall them working was when the guy who sold me the car at the dealer showed me how they worked...but after a few years of salt they seized and didn't work the first time i actually tried to use them...i remember blowing my fuse cause the motor tried to actuate but couldn't move the washers out of their housings...

there's no motor, the nozzle jets pop out due to the fluid pressure in the lines

[jonan]

there's no motor, the nozzle jets pop out due to the fluid pressure in the lines

lol, the jets were prolly gunked up pretty bad then if the pressure wouldn't pop them out...

[imnuts]

Are you sure that the washer fluid motor didn't go bad?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL

[mysticjocephus]

Thank you all! I have xenons as it seems, and mine are fairly dim. Anyone know a good retailer where I could get a set of bulbs for less than the $200 that any auto parts store near me wants for them?

[Matt Devo]

Thank you all! I have xenons as it seems, and mine are fairly dim. Anyone know a good retailer where I could get a set of bulbs for less than the $200 that any auto parts store near me wants for them?

Motimoto XB1 5500K bulbs from the retrofit source, ECS, etc. Just check if they are D1S or D2S, as some early 02's used the latter, whereas everything after used the former

[mysticjocephus]

You guys are awesome. One more quick question; I was in a drive-thru last night to feed my fat, and noticed that my driver-side bulb was "flickering" as in getting rapidly dimmer and brighter, not on and off. Would that be caused by an old/worn bulb or possibly ballast issues? Or could it be something more serious. If it helps at all, it's an '02 3.0 and has almost 300k on it.

[obaka]

Motimoto XB1 5500K bulbs from the retrofit source, ECS, etc. Just check if they are D1S or D2S, as some early 02's used the latter, whereas everything after used the former

Matt, I cant find the XB1 variation of these bulbs, but found the XB ones at pretty good price. 5500k and 6500k.

On this car the hid's are flickering, gonna try with new bulbs.

Wich color temp is prefered by A4 owners?

[Matt Devo]

You guys are awesome. One more quick question; I was in a drive-thru last night to feed my fat, and noticed that my driver-side bulb was "flickering" as in getting rapidly dimmer and brighter, not on and off. Would that be caused by an old/worn bulb or possibly ballast issues? Or could it be something more serious. If it helps at all, it's an '02 3.0 and has almost 300k on it.

Matt, I cant find the XB1 variation of these bulbs, but found the XB ones at pretty good price. 5500k and 6500k.

On this car the hid's are flickering, gonna try with new bulbs.

Wich color temp is prefered by A4 owners?

sorry, meant XB: https://www.theretrofitsource.com/bu...to-xb-hid.html

I'd go 5500K. Flickering output is IME more often the ballast -- you can switch the bulbs from side to side to check and see if the flicker follows.

While a bit more expensive, I highly recommend the mini-H1 projector/HID Kit retrofit from TRS: linky link

it's what I installed in my B6, and provides better light output than even the factory bixenons. You'd also be refreshing everything that could fail, rather than a bulb here, a ballast there -- and oh, your projector bowls are burnt, so your light output is still crappy.

[obaka]

Thx¡ gonna get a pair of 5500k Motimotos, cant go wrong with the price. Iam ok if they last more than 2 years

[Nollywood]

4300K is OEM, and has the best useable lumen output.

[mysticjocephus]

sorry, meant XB: https://www.theretrofitsource.com/bu...to-xb-hid.html

I'd go 5500K. Flickering output is IME more often the ballast -- you can switch the bulbs from side to side to check and see if the flicker follows.

While a bit more expensive, I highly recommend the mini-H1 projector/HID Kit retrofit from TRS: linky link

it's what I installed in my B6, and provides better light output than even the factory bixenons. You'd also be refreshing everything that could fail, rather than a bulb here, a ballast there -- and oh, your projector bowls are burnt, so your light output is still crappy.

Thanks again! Will try switching bulbs side to side and see what happens. Not sure if I want to spend the money for new bulbs if I'm going to have to replace more than that anyway.

[Euro-phoric]

Thanks again! Will try switching bulbs side to side and see what happens. Not sure if I want to spend the money for new bulbs if I'm going to have to replace more than that anyway.

Not sure if you ever got your headlight issue sorted out or not. But if you are still having problems with poor output, I have some depo e-code DS1 projectors you could swap into your OEM headlights if you'd be interested in them.

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