My Superb mk2 display is telling me the xenon left side near light needs changing.
However; this lamp works in the right side head lamp (and the functioning bulb from the right side does not work in the  left lamp).

All other bulbs/functions of this head lamp work, side/hight adjustment, fuses, connections are fine.
Two questions:
- how can I confirm that it is the ballast that is faulty?

- is the left side ballast replacable from the wheel arch (below), without lamp removal? Will I need special tools?
This headlamp is glued in place :-o, (I know); quick fix after an unfortunate encounter with a large dear a couple of years back, in which all the attachments broke...

I'd swap the ballasts over.

 

No idea if you can replace the ballast without removing the headlight. On a 2012, the ballast will probably be a silver metal unit held in with three screws 

The unit is an easy replacement from under bonnet access - cost of bulb unit the only downside but around £20-25 a unit (buy a pair a - cheaper - the other will go...).

 

Full details here on Briskoda guide 👍🏻

 

 

Thanks. But I have swapped bulbs; they don't work in left lamp - only in right side. Asking about the ballast: how I can determin if the ballast is at bfault and how to reach/exchange it.

On 02/05/2021 at 13:53, langers2k said:

I'd swap the ballasts over.

 

No idea if you can replace the ballast without removing the headlight. On a 2012, the ballast will probably be a silver metal unit held in with three screws 

Managed to change the ballast from the wheel arch! 'Blind', and hardly room far any tools, just the bit and tiny pliers.
Turned out to be unbrako/hexagon screws (two, not three), not torx. Visible moisture short ciruit oxidation/damage inside the ballast connection. Installed used/refurbished ballast workes fine!
PHEW - happy camper!

On 03/01/2022 at 14:00, Thorn said:

Managed to change the ballast from the wheel arch! 'Blind', and hardly room far any tools, just the bit and tiny pliers.
Turned out to be unbrako/hexagon screws (two, not three), not torx. Visible moisture short ciruit oxidation/damage inside the ballast connection. Installed used/refurbished ballast workes fine!
PHEW - happy camper!

Hi there Thorn,

 

Thanks for your info as I have the exact same problem. I need to replace the ballast for the D1S Xenon from the left (driver's side) and I want to avoid to pay for something I could do it on my own.

My first thought was if the headlight could be removed without removing the front bumper. The removal of the front bumper is kinda messy which would lead me to the mechanic.

My question is if you had to remove the wheel before removing the wheel arch to get access to the ballast.

I want to test some cheap ballasts I've found through the internet which means I might need to do that several times.

And if you have any opinion on D1S Led bulbs with canbus. Could LED versions of D1S, harm the ballast? Because I think my cheap D1S Xenon was the reason my ballast got damaged and now I want to try LED.