2013 MK7 Gti Bi Xenon Headlight Fault - help

[rocko_n82]

Hi, my passenger side headlight is flickering on and off, sometimes going completely out at which point I’m getting a fault warning inside the car.

With the bulb coming on ocassionaly would I be correct in assuming it’s a wiring fault and not the bulb? The car is under warranty but the dealer can’t look at it until the 24th of the month. If I thought it would be a cheap fix I’d just pay for it elsewhere.

Any advice appreciated.

[fredgroves]

I never had a Xenon bulb go in my Mk7 but I assumed its some sort of sealed unit?

Have you looked for a spare part and seen what comes as the spare? ie is it just a bulb or does it have other components with it...

If its just a bulb, then its probably wiring or the bulb holder itself or an igniter or something.

If the bulb kit has other bits, then it could be any of those.

[Watts]

Good thing it's under warranty, I bet whatever it is it'll be a very big bill!

[itavaltalainen]

They aren’t sealed units and ‘bulbs’ can be replaced.

You can get access by removing wheel and lining.
So you don’t need to take front bumper half off.

If dealer replaces (they are more or less consumables) it make sure they do them as a pair on both sides.

[fredgroves]

A bit of Google seems to suggest:

1) try a bulb swap

Failing that:

2) change the ballast

Failing that:

3) Change the igniter

And it could be any of those and that intermittent failure is a symptom of one of these issues. This is generic Xenon issues.

I'd doubt VW will cover this as warranty on a 2013 car though - these things are simply wear and tear. Good luck though.

[Tornado8]

I had the same thing happen last year (2013 car) and it was the bulb that needed replacing. I think it was over £100 to replace

[rocko_n82]

Ive only had the car a month so there is a 12 month warranty from the dealer. The car only has 26k on the clock. The warranty won’t cover a bulb but if it’s some other problem then it will.

The dealer can’t look at it until the 24th if the month. I’ve had a quote locally for £200 to change the bulb, if that’s what’s wrong.

[dubber36]

I know it's not as easy a job as it used to be, but can't you have a go at changing the bulb yourself?

[dippy_x]

It’s definately the bulb - had the same thing happen.  Xenon bulb just kept flickering off and on.  Everything normal again after getting it replaced.

[fredgroves]

Do Halfords do the bulb? They have a fixed price for bulb fitting....