Autocheck problems

[Rusty]

I fitted some HIDs at the beginning of the year and everything was fine, lighting was loads better for it too. Then recently the bulb out simbol was flashing up So I fitted the OE bulbs back in to see if it was the HIDs and then everything was fine for a test on Sunday (20s or so). I had a look at / think about the HID setup and identified a poor earth so sorted that, earthing the HIDs to the bodywork and put the HIDs back in, bulb out symbol again . Not ideal but hey ho... So I then re-fitted the OE bulbs and still go the bulb out symbol... now I was really I've run out of energy to sort it today so just have to hope that the MOT ignore it tomorrow. Great timing if ever there was any.

So, info on the autocheck system please, how does it decide that a bulb is out and why is it being so damned fickle

[HPmuirt]

So, info on the autocheck system please, how does it decide that a bulb is out and why is it being so damned fickle

Mine did this a few weeks after fitting the HID kit although I never re tested with the standard bulbs as you have. Everyone said it was an earthing issue, however I tried earthing each side to the body independently and I also tried earting them both to a central point but all to no avail.

Eventually I gave up and did the K-pin mod/bodge (hint hint for the MOT )

As for what the autocheck is testing, my understanding is that it is looking for a differential current draw on either side of the circuit (i.e. between the left and right bulbs of any given pair) and that the sensitivity is unneccesarily high. In practice it does not need to know if one bulb is drawing 10% more than the other so if anyone ever works out a way of reducing the sensitivity I would love to know.

Cheers n

Si

[Rusty]

Cheers sir! I'll have a look for the k pin mod. Any linky linky?

It seems strange that I've really ed it off with swapping stuff around a bit. Guess that it's been happy for a while and then I've played about with it over the last month or two. I might have had a HID in one side and a stock bulb in the other and switched the lights on, can't imagine that it will have particularly like that... bless.

[LHD_Kid]

I wouldn't have thought the bulb check function comes into an MOT, surely, if the bulb is on, it will pass as a light which works....?
I also did the K pin thing on mine, but I never tried it without doing the K pin...
Not much help, sorry.... are you sure you don't have a faulty tail light? Mine had one which was very intermittent....
Chris

[DarrenM]

After my HIDS were fitted I still get the Autocheck bulb & bleep when i flick onto high beam (still havent got round to doing the k-pin mod). Its gone through about 4 MOTS with it no problem, should it have been a fail then?

[HPmuirt]

should it have been a fail then?

Nope, it is only a DIS (Driver Information System). The MOT is checking that the bulbs are all working and the beams are aligned, not whether one is drawing a little more or less current than the other.

Cheers n

Si

[K Simmonds]

As long as all the lights function correctly there should be no issues for the MOT.

[s2driveruk]

wierd, really wierd, mine have started doing the same thing. For about a month, all worked fine, no warning on the autocheck, then last few days they seem to have started. I redid the earth connections on the bodywork yesterday and still threw up the warning chime....arrrrg!

[Rusty]

wierd, really wierd, mine have started doing the same thing. For about a month, all worked fine, no warning on the autocheck, then last few days they seem to have started. I redid the earth connections on the bodywork yesterday and still threw up the warning chime....arrrrg!

Sounds like the white brotherhood are missing each other

[Matt_D]

wierd, really wierd, mine have started doing the same thing. For about a month, all worked fine, no warning on the autocheck, then last few days they seem to have started. I redid the earth connections on the bodywork yesterday and still threw up the warning chime....arrrrg!

Exactlly the same problem i had, fitted my HID's and all was fine for 3 months no autocheck warning then one night driving home from work and the autocheck kept flashing on and off every 10 seconds or so, re-did all the earths still no good so i did the k-pin mod and sorted it

[s2driveruk]

yep the same mine went on and off all the way home one night...seems really wierd. Will clean the rear lightboards but sounds like the k mod is the only solution

[veneto rs2]

Cheers sir! I'll have a look for the k pin mod. Any linky linky?

I can't find the link but it's dead easy....

Find the ECU that controls the front lamps on LHD it's located underneath the steering wheel compartment on the relays rack position 15 part number 443 919 469A
It's the third upper position strating from left to right.
If you have the list of the relays on the back of the tray search for "Lampkontrolle/Lampcontrol)

It's labelled "Hella" and it's longer then the others (if i remember well it has the number 281) loose the wire that goes into the pin marked "K" and the job it's done no more beep.....

Stefano

[Sonic]

Mine did this a few weeks after fitting the HID kit although I never re tested with the standard bulbs as you have. Everyone said it was an earthing issue, however I tried earthing each side to the body independently and I also tried earting them both to a central point but all to no avail.

Eventually I gave up and did the K-pin mod/bodge (hint hint for the MOT )

Exactly the same here. Not had a problem since the k-pin mod.

Details of the k-pin mod, and a handy photo as to where it is from Steve

http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2947

[Fat Audi 80]

I HAVE done the k pin mod and it STILL beeps!!

Mine is fairly random but is very strange and based on electrical loading on some circuits and temperature... (Stay with me on this one)

If it is cold outside the it beeps if I turn the lights on (even side lights) and tends to beep when the throttle is pressed. It (normally) goes away once the engine is sufficiently warm.

It beeps again if you turn the rear window demister on!

I have recently changed to LED SIDELIGHTS and sometimes is only beeps when the side lights are on and NOT the HIDS...

I really don't have a clue, but in my car it seems to monitor lots of things including the rear window!

Go figure!

[Ross]

At least your HID's work!! I had mine out, as only one side was working, driver side neither dip or beam would come on... checked both ballasts were OK independently on the working headlight. Re-did all the earth points on the car. Now, main beam works fine both sides, neither HID will work

I need to earth mine to the chassis, aparrently should solve the issue. But, with my coupe, I had the same issue - fine for about 3 months of use and then one day it came on and never went off again

It passed an MOT like that though!