[V8] European headlights versus Autocheck system

[Tony and Lillie]

<snip>
Subject: Re: [V8] European headlights versus Autocheck system

Yup.  I know this.  But somehow the Autocheck system is not interfered with 
in the V8, and was not interfered with in the '89 200.  I wonder if the 
mechanic has relayed both high and low beams.  My suspicion is that he may 
have used one relay for high, and one relay for low beams, OR perhaps two 
relays for high beam and one relay for low beams and that is causing the 
problem.  Originally he merely installed the headlamps without relays, and 
was surprised that I wanted to have the headlamps relayed.  I haven't had 
time to speak with him yet, but will do so next week.

Roger

P.S.  The '89 200 installation used separate relays for both high and low 
beams, and if I recall, we used four relays, but I could be wrong.  That 
installation was done at the Audi dealer's and I worked along with the 
mechanic doing the install.
<snip>


Roger, 
All the autocheck does is check for current flow throught the low beams when they are on. If current flow is too low, as in an open in the curcuit, the autocheck tells you. By using two relays, you may increase the current flow enough to fool the autocheck. At any rate, only the low beams are monitored, so it is the side that would need the two relays. I can't imagine two relays taking enough current to fool it, but maybe it only measures for a small current flow versus none. 
I never thought of this when I did mine, so I just jumpered the autocheck. Even with two relays installed in the low beams, it won't tell you when the headlights are burned out. It would only tell you if one of the relays is bad.

Tony Hoffman