[s-cars] Low beams not working - update

[Tom Green]

Paul, 

One headlight low beam working means the problem is not in the switch.  The 
e-code headlights use H1, H1, H3 bulbs that have a ground wire separate from 
any of the power feeds, and are all daisy-chained together with a ground post 
on each of the bulb receptacles.  

First make sure the low beam bulb base is fully seated in the projector receptacle.  Then check that the brown ground wire is attached to the post on that base tightly with no corrosion.  The ground wire will daisy chain from there to the frog light and then the high beam.  You can probably check this with the housing in place.

Access to the lower attachment screws is obtained by removing the metal trim just below the headlight that has the washer nozzle sticking out.  You may have that off since you see it rusted, but removing the bumper will give you no more access.

Tom

> On Jul 23, 2017, at 11:13 AM, weski at verizon.net wrote:
> 
> Thanks Tom.  
> 
> I was thinking the same thing overnight - how could a ground on the passenger side headlight cause an issue with the driver's side headlight and visa versa.
> 
> Anyway - I had already replaced the headlight switch on the steering column two years ago when my high beams would turn on but not turn off unless I turned the lights off and back on.  Since then everything has worked great until recently.  
> 
> I did buy some new bulbs and that didn't make any difference on the passenger side but it did correct the drivers side so now my only issue is with the passenger side low beam.  Ground into the headlight is known good as evidence by the high and fog working.  I'll take a look at the ground lead for the low beam - maybe it has become loose.  Unfortunately I have to do this with the headlight installed on first attempt as one of the lower headlight mounting screws is rusted tight so if I can't figure it out with the headlight in place this will turn into a bigger project as I'll have to pull the front bumper off to get better access to the seized screw - not a difficult job but certainly more work then it should take to remove the headlight.
> 
> It's progress.
> 
> Paul
> 
> 
> On 7/22/2017 4:21 PM, Tom Green wrote:
>> Paul, 
>> 
>> I suggest you disregard all the advice you have received, and instead just 
>> replace the headlight switch (You know. the multifunction stalk on the left side of the steering column.) I am confident we are discussing a LHD USA vehicle despite the e-code lights installed.
>> 
>> Does anyone really think both headlight low beams failed at the exact same time and the high beams and fog lights still work?  
>> 
>> The headlight housings are easily removed so there is no reason to try to repair them in place on the vehicle.  At 291K mi. they probably could use a good cleaning and maybe a glass lens replacement to recover the 20 to 30% light output you have lost since new.
>> 
>> For advice, you really need to go the Quattroworld UrS4/6 & S2/RS2 forum.
>> 
>> Tom
>>    
>>> On Saturday, July 22, 2017, at 8:33 AM,"weski at verizon.net <mailto:weski at verizon.net>" <weski at verizon.net <mailto:weski at verizon.net>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Looking for some troubleshooting assistance with figuring out why the 
>>> low beams on both sides of my S6 aren't working.  What I've done so far:
>>> 
>>>  * New H1 bulbs (E-Code headlights)
>>>  * Confirmed 12V on bulb lead wire inside headlight assembly (turns
>>>    on/off with column switch)
>>>  * High beams and fog lights all work fine
>>> 
>>> I'm at 291,000 miles and due for inspection in July and can't seem to 
>>> get my low beams working to pass. Suggestions for next step to try?
>>> 
>>> Thanks,
>>> 
>>> Paul
>> 
>