Hi,

 

I have been a member of this site since I bought my A4 in 2013, never had an issue with it even got the original battery in it

but i am getting a warning on the dash adaptive lights malfunction, they do go up and down when i start the car but do not go left to right,

 

looking for pointers or a fix as the car is not worth taking to the dealers as it will cost more than the car is worth

I have scanned it with car scanner but it finds nothing

regards

 

Hello Martin,

As with most electrical issue, it is always recommended to get the battery efficiency checked on professional equipment, before moving on to more complex possibilities. 
You battery at 12 year old is highly likely to be passed its best. 
Halfords stores will do that for you, but if found to be substandard then please come back before buying - if you have respect for your wallet. 
Regards,

Gareth. 

3 hours ago, Waylander said:

Hi,

 

I have been a member of this site since I bought my A4 in 2013, never had an issue with it even got the original battery in it

but i am getting a warning on the dash adaptive lights malfunction, they do go up and down when i start the car but do not go left to right,

 

looking for pointers or a fix as the car is not worth taking to the dealers as it will cost more than the car is worth

I have scanned it with car scanner but it finds nothing

regards

 

Hi when you say scanned it begs the question with what as a lot of generic cheaper scanners wont pick up a lot of faults as the software wont support that.

Steve.

19 hours ago, Magnet said:

Hello Martin,

As with most electrical issue, it is always recommended to get the battery efficiency checked on professional equipment, before moving on to more complex possibilities. 
You battery at 12 year old is highly likely to be passed its best. 
Halfords stores will do that for you, but if found to be substandard then please come back before buying - if you have respect for your wallet. 
Regards,

Gareth. 

Hi Gareth,
A new battery is on the cards its a massive thing 4L0 915 105, my son works for Napa so I can get a battery there at staff price, even then i dont think it will be cheap

I tested it with the battery off our XC90 2017 as it the same battery and brand new, start stop now works but the headlight issue persists

 

18 hours ago, Stevey Y said:

Hi when you say scanned it begs the question with what as a lot of generic cheaper scanners wont pick up a lot of faults as the software wont support that.

Steve.

Hi Steve,

Its Carista with a Vlinker MC+ IOS, I dont thik that its very good, I also tried the blue car scanner from the app store on iPhone, that found a few things
I am now in the process of building a ODIS laptop, 
but I would take a guess VCDS would be a good option

8 hours ago, Waylander said:

Hi Steve,

Its Carista with a Vlinker MC+ IOS, I dont thik that its very good, I also tried the blue car scanner from the app store on iPhone, that found a few things
I am now in the process of building a ODIS laptop, 
but I would take a guess VCDS would be a good option

Hi Odis is probably better but it would only be of real benefit in the event of wiring problems it is more or less an idiot proof dealer level platform that guides the average FITTER through the diagnosis and repair procedure, you strike me as being a savvy chap so the VCDS may well be as far as you need to go, its well thought out and has pretty much all you will need from basic functions to coding injectors plus the support site is amazing and more than helpful as its world wide therefore getting answers from a larger contribution base. Not trying to defame your sons company but I have never had much success with Napa products and with the Audis I have worked on I have only ever used Bosch, Varta or Yuasa, as Gareth always said try Tanya batteries on eBay I have used them a few times and never had any problems, yes they may be more expensive but in years to come you will see where the extra money went.

Steve.

+1 for Napa products, but I must add I’ve always steered clear of using them due to comments from local mechanics.

Re. batteries:- I’m now favouring Exide premium due to a couple of issues with Varta/Bosch - but probably my fault for fitting them on very low usage vehicles. 
Regards,

Gareth.
 

On 10/24/2025 at 8:47 PM, Stevey Y said:

Hi Odis is probably better but it would only be of real benefit in the event of wiring problems it is more or less an idiot proof dealer level platform that guides the average FITTER through the diagnosis and repair procedure, you strike me as being a savvy chap so the VCDS may well be as far as you need to go, its well thought out and has pretty much all you will need from basic functions to coding injectors plus the support site is amazing and more than helpful as its world wide therefore getting answers from a larger contribution base. Not trying to defame your sons company but I have never had much success with Napa products and with the Audis I have worked on I have only ever used Bosch, Varta or Yuasa, as Gareth always said try Tanya batteries on eBay I have used them a few times and never had any problems, yes they may be more expensive but in years to come you will see where the extra money went.

Steve.

Hi Steve

I tried to reply on staurday from my phone but kept getting blocked for spam, not quite sure what was going on,

Anyway i was a mechanic till the early 90's then moved in to computer stuff, still there,

VCDS may well be the answer but it will have to wait as the wifes XC90 money pit keeps me skint,

My son can get any make as napa are huge franchise, I think he said Bosch S5 for £103 inc Vat

I did remove and dismantle the headlights looking for broken wires, but I remember having lots of issues when the car was about 3 months old with the steering angle sensor, and i am now wondering if this could be the issue,
I will have to tackle the cam belt soon as its due for time not miles, as the car is only 78k

 

1 hour ago, Waylander said:

I will have to tackle the cam belt soon as its due for time not miles, as the car is only 78k

A wise decision. I'll not detract from your headlamp topic except to suggest you search recent forum history for the subject of cambelt durability.

On 10/25/2025 at 9:26 AM, Magnet said:

+1 for Napa products, but I must add I’ve always steered clear of using them due to comments from local mechanics.

Re. batteries:- I’m now favouring Exide premium due to a couple of issues with Varta/Bosch - but probably my fault for fitting them on very low usage vehicles. 
Regards,

Gareth.
 

Hi Gareth

I quizzed my boy a bit more he can get me an Excide for £77 +Vat,

 

1 minute ago, Waylander said:

Hi Gareth

I quizzed my boy a bit more he can get me an Excide for £77 +Vat,

 

Hi sounds like a real deal Exide are very good batteries, hit the buy it now, please remember to code the new unit its simple and from memory I think the Carista is capable as long as it reads the old code just invent your new code using the old code but changing the last three digits.

Steve.

Hello Martin,

Is this for the Exide Premium rather than the Excel grade? 

Hi Magnet yes thats premium

I have not had time to move forward with this issue much as our XC90 is giving me drama, strangely enough Active Bending Lights as they call them

its just so random sometimes only one will work stop start the car again niether work stop start the car again and both work, 
Each headlight is £2500

 

50 minutes ago, Waylander said:

Hi Magnet yes thats premium

I have not had time to move forward with this issue much as our XC90 is giving me drama, strangely enough Active Bending Lights as they call them

its just so random sometimes only one will work stop start the car again niether work stop start the car again and both work, 
Each headlight is £2500

 

Have a look on eBay for a Bosch battery .  Same factory as Varta .