Hi,

Over the last week I've had a problem with the driver's side dipped headlight.

During one drive home the "Light Failure" warning came on, and the light went out.

After many phonecalls to find a price for a replacement (they are HID's) one of the shops suggested checking the fuse.

I pulled the fuse out - it was OK, but when I checked the headlight now worked.

So I assumed I had it was a loose fuse connection.

It has now done this twice.

Last night the headlight went off again, and will not come back!

Has anyone else seen this problem before?

Many thanks

Matthew

Yes, I have seen it before on the Octavia, and it did not go away until a new ballast was put in. This is very expensive (stlg300?).

In my case, after 1 year of use, the headlight went off for about 2000 miles, and then came back on, then became intermittent.

I checked all connectors, including internal headlight connectors and removing the ballast. The problem was an intermittent connection or a faulty component inside the ballast.

That's partly why I won't get factory HIDs again, you can replace ballasts in HID retrofits for under stlg 80 for a Philips one.

£300! Wonderful!

Is the ballast user replaceable?

Thanks

Matthew

Can you swap the ballasts L to R and see if the fault follows it?

If you find a faulty ballast, I'm sure you could fit an aftermarket one. The bulbs are all the same and you could leave the faulty one where it is under the lamp unit and fit a replacement somewhere accessible.

rotodiesel.

Can you swap the ballasts L to R and see if the fault follows it?

If you find a faulty ballast, I'm sure you could fit an aftermarket one. The bulbs are all the same and you could leave the faulty one where it is under the lamp unit and fit a replacement somewhere accessible.

rotodiesel.

Rotodiesel, aftermarket ballasts do not have the headlight levelling logic. This is the reason why I said it's going to be expensive and that you need OEM part.

You can connect an aftermarket ballast in parallel and use this to power the igniter and the HID bulb, but you still need the original ballast powered to keep headlight levelling going. Assuming the levelling is still working, of course.

Agree about swapping the ballasts L-R, that's how I diagnosed it. There are several torx screws (3 or 4) on the outside, then it just goes out (multi-pin plug into the headlight,make sure you do not lose the seal)

Hmm.

The OEM Superb HID's are Hella, are they not?

Baker, can you still get these things? If you can you need to PM me anyway (:lol:), but perhaps this might help the OP...?

Agree about swapping the ballasts L-R, that's how I diagnosed it. There are several torx screws (3 or 4) on the outside, then it just goes out (multi-pin plug into the headlight,make sure you do not lose the seal)

Cheers.

The torx you are talking about - are they the ones on the black rectangular box, that is exposed under the plastic sealing cap (the one held on by the wire spring clip)?

Speaking to our local dealer, they talk about an Transformer and an Ignitor...... each at about £96 + VAT!

Any idea which of these we are talking about?

Many thanks

Matthew

Ignition transformer would be inside headlight, on Superb it is 3U0941651 behind the bulb. This is NOT broken, since the headlight lights up (but flickers). In this case it would be the "igniter", which is actually the ballast 3U0 941 641. I looked it up and it is now held only by one screw (the box underneath the headlight). Of course, it could also be that the bulb itself is faulty, although it is unlikely

I am surprised about the price, looks like finally the ripoff stlg300 is no longer charged.

The lamp has not worked at all for several days...... but.....

Making some progress!

Despite it being -2, I managed to strip things down and find the offending item!

It's the item directly behind the bulb - the ignition transformer? Manufactured by Hella.

It's obviously not been very well and has melted in the one corner - by the incoming 3 wire electrical connection.

So at least we know which bit is in need of replacement.

To complicate things, the 3 way plug that connects to the transformer (?) has also melted.

Off to the garage tomorrow to see what can be obtained!

Thanks to all for their suggestions.

Matt

Well, the problem is the dirty connectors then, all ignition transformer does is produce initial voltage spike to light up the lamp.

In any case, it needs to be replaced if it is melted, I think the harness also has a separate listing. Make sure the new parts have clean contacts before plugging them together.

Well, the problem is the dirty connectors then, all ignition transformer does is produce initial voltage spike to light up the lamp.

In any case, it needs to be replaced if it is melted, I think the harness also has a separate listing. Make sure the new parts have clean contacts before plugging them together.

Cheers,

Any Idea where the harness runs to? From memory it has 3 green cables?

Guess that might be tricky to replace....

Thanks for all the help,

Matt

Harness is internal headlamp harness, 3U0941813A, and it has cables for all bulbs (runs to the common connector which is part of the harness).

If it is expensive, then if you look around in electrical mail order shops, you may find it easier to replace just the one plug. As a last resort, clean it thoroughly and make sure it is securely fitted.

I'll give them a call with that part number - thanks.

Is this going to be a pig to change? I've managed not to have to remove the bumper yet!

Thanks

Once you remove bumper (easy, just make sure all fasteners are undone, esp. the plastic ones in the wheel well which are often forgotten about), the headlight removal is very simple. All of your repairs are inside the headlight

Harness is internal headlamp harness, 3U0941813A, and it has cables for all bulbs (runs to the common connector which is part of the harness).

If it is expensive, then if you look around in electrical mail order shops, you may find it easier to replace just the one plug. As a last resort, clean it thoroughly and make sure it is securely fitted.

Looks like £18.49 + VAT for the loom, and £96.36 for the transformer.

That'll be a job for next Saturday then!

Cheers,

Matthew

Once you remove bumper (easy, just make sure all fasteners are undone, esp. the plastic ones in the wheel well which are often forgotten about), the headlight removal is very simple. All of your repairs are inside the headlight

Finally got time to sort this last weekend - it was -3DegC in the garage!

The bumper came off a dream, following the instructions posted by Baker21's instructions.

All that caught me out were the 2 clips on the inside of the bumper that need to be aligned to the corresponding bracket on the chassis.

So I am legal again!

Many thanks for all the post!

Happy New Year!