Help with correct headlight assembly for my A4

[Audibros]

My car got some water in the right headlight during the winter so now I am shopping for a new headlight assembly, The part number to my current one is 8K0 941 030 AS & that one is a bit pricey, I see some of the same design for $150-$250 with a different part number like this one: 8K0941030AL

So do I need to stick with the part number on my car currently or is any headlight assembly with the same curved LED design okay to plug and play? I have a 2010 Audi A4 Premium Plus, thanks!

[Smac770]

AL are pre-Jun '10. AS are post-Jun '10. If you don't mind your auto-leveling motor not working, go for it.

https://www.genuineaudiparts.com/oem...ly-8k0941029al
https://www.genuineaudiparts.com/oem...mp-8k0941029as

Price looks comparable for a new unit.

[Audibros]

Oh okay Um fine with something not working, I just need to find the cheapest option so I can get my car back on the road, do you think something like this would work?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/15487690700...mis&media=COPY

[Audibros]

AL are pre-Jun '10. AS are post-Jun '10. If you don't mind your auto-leveling motor not working, go for it.

https://www.genuineaudiparts.com/oem...ly-8k0941029al
https://www.genuineaudiparts.com/oem...mp-8k0941029as

Price looks comparable for a new unit.

Would this work?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/15487690700...mis&media=COPY

[Smac770]

rev E -> rev AL
rev R -> rev AS

Either one should turn on the bulbs.

[ssiep]

I’m struggling with this exact issue right now also. Which is why I joined the forum. I saw a long explanation of headlights you responded to
Last year. I have been asking the eBay sellers of new aftermarket assemblies if theirs included the auto leveling and they just respond they do not have AFS, which I thought was for the adaptive headlights. Can’t get a straight answer from two different sellers.
To help answer the original posters question that used 8k0941004e has auto leveling because that’s the part number on my OEM passenger side headlight and it has the auto leveling deal.
There is a broken top mounting bracket on that one, which is why I didn’t already purchase it.

Back to my question… smac707, is the self leveling feature a motor in the assembly? Does self leveling mean you have/need AFS? At this point I’m considering ordering the replacement lenses and heat gunning the butal tape and just keeping the original assembly…. Just need to wait for air mail from china.

[Smac770]

There's four basic headlamp movement configurations:

8Q0 - no movement (halogen, US spec always comes this way)
8Q1 - manual movement (halogen, optional in some markets)
8Q3 - dynamic auto-leveling (required for HID by regulation)
8Q5 - dynamic auto-leveling with AFS (adaptive frontlighting system, aka cornering light)

Leveling has nothing to do with AFS from a results perspective. The motor system to perform the up/down (8Q3) vs. up/down/left/right (8Q5) is not the same. Thus you can't just put a 8Q5 headlamp in a 8Q3 car, or vice versa, without motor issues

The motor is in the headlamp assembly. The control of this motor is by a separate control module in B8.0. And the 8Q3 and 8Q5 control modules are different. This control was integrated into the J519 (BCM, that controls the head lights lighting) in B8.5.

Then there's the issue of the OP, the pre June '10 headlamps vs the post June '10 headlamps.

For US spec B8.0 HID 8Q3: rev E or AL for pre Jun '10 builds (basically MY09/MY10), & rev R or AS for post Jun '10 builds (basically MY11/MY12).
For US spec B8.0 HID 8Q5: rev J or AP for pre Jun '10 builds (basically MY09/MY10), & rev AA or BB for post Jun '10 builds (basically MY11/MY12).

[ssiep]

Thank you for the detailed explanation.
What is interesting is that, take this Amazon seller for example, if you scroll down it says this is a replacement for manufacturers part number 8k0941030al but for $249, it canÂ’t have the leveling motor in it. Is that motor something that can be salvaged from my broken headlight or do I just need to bite the bullet and spend 900 or so dollars?
ACANII - For [HID/Xenon w/o AFS] 2009-2010 Audi A4 B8 LED DRL Projector Headlight Headlamp Assembly RH Passenger Side https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GL442RV...TW8293DWYAASFG

[Smac770]

"It can't have the leveling motor in it". Why do you presume that?

That's not an OE (Audi) or OEM (Automotive Lighting) unit. It's a third-party unit. Thus why it's cheaper. How is the quality of the fit/finish as well as the internal components vs OE or OEM? No idea, I don't know ACANII. But the listing seems very accurate and transparent regarding the information presented.

[ssiep]

I kinda assumed that because of a couple responses I was given and the price point.
This morning I also got this response from an eBay seller which leads me to believe either they don’t know or I’m just so confused at this point my head is spinning…

New message: Hello, Thank you for your interest i...


eBay

New message from: dt_moto (457,818RED_SHOOTING_STAR Star)
Hello,
Thank you for your interest in our items.

Per our listing the only interchange part number that the item will be compatible is 8K0941030AL.
If you have self leveling headlights this item wont be compatible.

Per our listing the item will only be compatible on 4th Generation w/HID w/o AFS Headlight.

Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns we are happy to help.


Best Regards,
Cecilia R
DT Motoring
Reply

[DrGER]

Why not source a good, working used assembly: https://www.lkqonline.com/2010-audi-...ly/-hD3FnOcDjj --g

[Smac770]

I think I got confused earlier on. The electrical motor can be a separate part; I was thinking of the leveling mechanism built into the headlamp which the motor moves. The mechanism is often the part that jacks itself, and cannot be replaced without replacing the whole headlamp. Or fixed without cutting open the headlamp.

The motor itself is this: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...ach/8p0941293/
You have to cut the housing to access it on B8.0, and reseal it with 8K0 998 295 A. You access it through the HID bulb cover on B8.5.

https://c1552172.ssl.cf0.rackcdn.com/654811_x800.webp

You see the small circle in the bottom middle between the corner control module square and the round HID bulb cover. It's that small circle you have to cut out to access the V48/V49. You see it already has the two screw holes next to it which the repair kit cover secures to.

The swivel motor for AFS is built in and not replaceable.

But any new Audi HID headlamp will have the motor in it already. This includes any OEM unit.

So if it doesn't have the leveling motor built in, it would need to be able to be added to make it US regulations compliant. So it's probably in there. But there's no way to be sure without testing it, as it seems the contact people there are not aware of all the nuances of the headlamp, confusing adaptive with leveling. Leveling is required by regulation.

[ssiep]

Want to say thanks for the input! Your knowledge is impressive. I know it can be tough to explain the differences to someone unfamiliar with the inner workings of their vehicle. Now if it were late 60’s Mopar, I’d comprehend much better.
Also, thanks to DrGer for the links to used headlights with the 8Q3 option. I have googled and googled and had not much luck locating anything other than what shows up on eBay.

[Smac770]

Yeah, for used parts, I often start with wolfautoparts; had good luck with them. They are even in your neighborhood.

https://wolfautoparts.com/hid-bixeno...4e-ps4529.html

[Audibros]

Yeah, for used parts, I often start with wolfautoparts; had good luck with them. They are even in your neighborhood.

https://wolfautoparts.com/hid-bixeno...4e-ps4529.html

Update:

So I went to a junkyard to check inventory and I found a grey market Audi A4 and was wondering should I stay away from picking parts off this car, I was looking at the headlight for instance and was wondering if the wiring may be different or maybe it doesn't meet US standards, can anyone confirm that, the car is from Austria it was a US diplomat vehicle

[Smac770]

Better to skip it. It's not DOT compliant. While the beam pattern might be nicer on EU spec, they lack the required illuminated and proper colored side markers of the US DOT regulations.

The pinout is the same, you wouldn't need to do any rewiring to utilize them. But the RoW lamps lack the side marker LED on pin 13. I imagine that can be coded out in the J519 long coding; otherwise, you'd probably have bulb errors in the instrument cluster.

[Audibros]

Better to skip it. It's not DOT compliant. While the beam pattern might be nicer on EU spec, they lack the required illuminated and proper colored side markers of the US DOT regulations.

The pinout is the same, you wouldn't need to do any rewiring to utilize them. But the RoW lamps lack the side marker LED on pin 13. I imagine that can be coded out in the J519 long coding; otherwise, you'd probably have bulb errors in the instrument cluster.

So weird update here, I took the old light off just to inspect it before buying a new assembly and there is nothing plugged into the assembly, I looked for where the dangling unplugged wire would be but cant seem to find it, would you guys be able to provide a diagram or schematic of where those wires should come out at so I can try to fish them out

[Audibros]

So weird update here, I took the old light off just to inspect it before buying a new assembly and there is nothing plugged into the assembly, I looked for where the dangling unplugged wire would be but cant seem to find it, would you guys be able to provide a diagram or schematic of where those wires should come out at so I can try to fish them out

I bought the car without the light working by the way, I noticed there was a couple front end collisions on the carfax and somebody seemed to have replaced the front right fender, is it possible they didn't know what they were doing and tucked the wire under the fender somewhere?

[Audibros]

I bought the car without the light working by the way, I noticed there was a couple front end collisions on the carfax and somebody seemed to have replaced the front right fender, is it possible they didn't know what they were doing and tucked the wire under the fender somewhere?

Any ideas where the headlight connector comes from, I’ve looked under the fender and just cant seem to find it

[Smac770]

This is the same car with the missing ambient temp sensor wiring and the broken or missing fan controller wire? Just a whole bunch of missing wires.

That other thread, you said the car was an MY10. But MY10 should have had the E->AL headlamp; you said yours has an R->AS headlamp. What's the build month/year on the sticker at the bottom of the driver's door jamb?

I wonder which J431 you have on that car. Do you have VCDS and can post a complete autoscan of the vehicle?

[ssiep]

Update… if anyone cares
I decided to order a replacement lens from eBay, actually both lenses. They shipped from china so took about 2 weeks to get. Meanwhile I ordered a roll of Morimoto headlight sealant stuff from Amazon. Watched a couple YouTube videos on how to get old lens off. A couple guys used heat guns and one guy put the headlight in the oven to soften the adhesive. I just used a hair dryer. Took maybe 15 minutes of heating and gentle prying apart with a separation tool, (also bought on Amazon).
Anyhow total cost was under $100, took about 45 minutes to do. (Had to remove old adhesive to install new) the lens seems to be an exact replica of the oem lens. Fit was perfect.
If anybody wants info on parts I used, shoot me an email or ask here.

[Smac770]

What was your actual issue? I know from the thread you were looking at headlamps. But I don't think you ever said why you were looking at headlamps.

[ssiep]

Wife was driving the car and a truck going the other direction kicked up something that broke the passenger side lens. All bulbs still worked, whatever it was hit hard enough to blow a fist sized hole through it even with the clear bra film on it. Lucky it didn’t hit any paint or go through the windshield