[s-cars] Problem with OEM Xenons

[Mtgadbois at aol.com]

Sean,
 
Sorry, I cannot help.  When I replaced one of my OEM xenons I just  threw out 
the old one.  However, I believe whatever is inside the can is  potted due to 
the high voltages generated.  Also, I doubt if there is  anything inside 
salvageable.
 
Mark near Chicago
 
 
 
In a message dated 7/23/2007 11:00:31 A.M. Central Daylight Time,  
s-car-list-request at audifans.com writes:

Date:  Sun, 22 Jul 2007 10:52:12 -0700
From: "Sean Douglas"  <s_douglas at telus.net>
Subject: [s-cars] Problem with OEM  Xenons
To: <s-car-list at audifans.com>
Message-ID:  <20070722175230.1B38L3BNN1 at priv-edmwaa06.telusplanet.net>
Content-Type:  text/plain;    charset="us-ascii"

I have the OEM e-code  xenons in my S6 and am having a problem. I installed
them myself over a  year ago with no issues.



Last week, while the car was parked  and locked, the left low beams came on
by itself. I played with the switch  and it wouldn't turn off, so I pulled
the fuse which interrupts the  constant 12V to the relays and it turned off.



The relays are  mounted inside a sealed control box that I assume houses the
ballast and  igniter as well. There is constant 12V running to it, which I
have fused as  well as switched power from the headlight switch.



I thought the  problem might be either a bad headlight switch or even an
ignition  switch.



When I got home, I put the fuses back in. The next day,  I was driving in
traffic and one of the low beams came on by itself again  (I could see the
reflection), so I cycled the headlight switch and after a  few tries it went
off, but they would not come on again - but finally did  only after several
tries.



So later, I experimented and  pulled both headlight fuses in the fuse box by
the driver's door. I figured  if they still came on with these fuses pulled
then I have eliminated the  headlight switch (switched 12V) in the circuit
and it must be the control  boxes.



This morning I went out to my car and the *right*  headlight was on, so now
I'm thinking both left and right control boxes are  bad. Somehow 12V is
getting to the headlight and I'm suspecting it's the  relay inside the
control boxes.



I know OEM xenons are rare  and few listers have them, but has anyone tried
to take apart the control  boxes? The downside is that the control box and
bulb are hardwired to each  other and sold as one piece which is very
expensive. Last time I checked  they were around $400 euros each!



Some people have suggested it  might be the ignition switch, but I fail to
see how it is leaking 12V to  the headlights. I guess I'll try replacing the
ignition switch as it's  cheap to see if it fixes the problem.



Any electrical gurus out  there that can offer advice?



Thanks,



Sean  Douglas

1997 S6








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