Bi-Xenon issues GTI6

[Sute]

I wonder if anyone else (with Bi-xenon’s) has the same issue.

No matter where you leave the light switch (0, Auto, Park, Lights), the low beam + rear lights are always on.:confused:

The dealer told me that they have informed the VW about this and apparently they are already working on a fix.

I know they have the DRL feature but they are the tiny lights housed under the xenons.

[niulf]

You got your Bi-Xeonons already?! I'm still waiting for my one.

[Corey_R]

Sounds as though there is a configuration issue or something like that with the car. I doubt it's a fault related to the Xenon's specifically. I wouldn't stress too much mate - driving with your headlights on even during the day is the "daytime running lights" of old. They'll be fine until the dealer finds the solution for you :)

[Sute]

You got your Bi-Xeonons already?! I'm still waiting for my one.

Yeah mate, I was soo lucky to snub this destaned for a Melbourne dealer as a shopfloor display model - as it came fully loaded with all the factory options.

Don't feel bad but I only order/pay for it on the 20 Jan 10, and got it on Tuesday 08 Feb 10.:cool:

[niulf]

Yeah mate, I was soo lucky to snub this destaned for a Melbourne dealer as a shopfloor display model - as it came fully loaded with all the factory options.

Don't feel bad but I only order/pay for it on the 20 Jan 10, and got it on Tuesday 08 Feb 10.:cool:

Checked with my dealer this afternoon. Mine will arrive on 25/02. :banana:

[Sute]

VW dealer update on the Xenon issue.

The dealer was kind enough to show me the offical VW letter stating the aknowledgment of the Xenon issue - always on. VW is working on a solution and will be installed on cars in due course at the next service.

I mentioned the replacement bulb policy and apparently it is free of charge (cost $280) until the fix is applied. I'll see if this can be given in writting.:deal:

[Mk6 GTI]

VW dealer update on the Xenon issue.

The dealer was kind enough to show me the offical VW letter stating the aknowledgment of the Xenon issue - always on. VW is working on a solution and will be installed on cars in due course at the next service.

I mentioned the replacement bulb policy and apparently it is free of charge (cost $280) until the fix is applied. I'll see if this can be given in writting.:deal:

Im expecting mine mid april, do you think it would have been rectified by the time i get mine? :|

So the DRL is the little light under projector beam?

Cheers!

[Christopher]

At least VW are being rather helpful with this issue, replacement parts hassel free is really all you could want until a fix is in place.. Good to see them looking after their customers..

[Mk6 GTI]

anyone else with xenons having this issue??

[shaq]

Hi Guys,

I just picked up my GTI on last tuesday.. YAY !! Finally !! after waiting since november last year !.. So i opted for the Bi Zenons cause i luv them.. but the thing is the damn thing has the Day time driving lights always set to on. Ive tried for the life of me to turn them off from the instructions in the manual about the pressing the left indicator down, bull back to flash then turn iginition to on.. but that doesnt work if you have Xenons. The only way to turn this off i heard is by connectiing the VAG COM and going into the settings and switching off that way. I dont want the xenons on during the day when im driving everyday.. those bulbs cost an arm and a leg!! Anyone else has this issue? Me not happy jan !!

[MkVIGTI]

I think I saw some post explaining that the low beam of the Bi-xenon is also the DRL as the little ones housed under the Xenons were not bright enough to comply with the European regulations, therefore VW has to also use the low beam as DRL?

[Maverick]

Hi Guys,

I just picked up my GTI on last tuesday.. YAY !! Finally !! after waiting since november last year !.. So i opted for the Bi Zenons cause i luv them.. but the thing is the damn thing has the Day time driving lights always set to on. Ive tried for the life of me to turn them off from the instructions in the manual about the pressing the left indicator down, bull back to flash then turn iginition to on.. but that doesnt work if you have Xenons. The only way to turn this off i heard is by connectiing the VAG COM and going into the settings and switching off that way. I dont want the xenons on during the day when im driving everyday.. those bulbs cost an arm and a leg!! Anyone else has this issue? Me not happy jan !!

If an arm and a leg to you is ~$150 I'd hate to see what the GTI cost was? Six billion arms and legs?

[Corey_R]

Don't exaggerate Mav! $45,000 / $150 is obviously only 300 arms and legs. Although where shaq got them from I don't know! :D

But yeah, Mav has a point. They're not _that_ expensive, and they also last like 3 to 9 times longer than regular headlights.

This is information from the Bi-Xenon on GTI (Pics + Info) thread. (http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=41856)

H7 standard bulbs last for 330 hours (b3) and 550 hours (tc)
H7 long life bulbs last for 450 hours (b3) and 930 hours (tc)
H7 +80/90 bulbs like the nightbreaker last for 100 hours (b3) and 200 hours (tc)

Osram D2S Xenon bulbs have a life of 2000 hours (b3) and 3000 hours (tc)
(these are fitted oem to Volkswagens)

Data and info on the b3 and tc are on this page

Adding high performance halogen bulbs to your Volkswagen (http://www.my-gti.com/534/)

So say you average 35kph in your car. 2000 hours is 70,000km and 3000 hours is 105,000km.

So when you get to around 70,000km in your car, just order in two replacement bulbs from Europe on the internet so that you save heaps of money, and don't have to wait with a blown globe. Considering the cost of your car, and the upgrade cost of the Xenon and how much better than regular headlights they are, it's really not a lot of money. :)

[niulf]

I called VW for a solution few days ago. They told me this is how the car designed. They are working on it.

[Mk6 GTI]

I called VW for a solution few days ago. They told me this is how the car designed. They are working on it.

So its designed to have the low beam on and also rear parking lights? :|

[Corey_R]

I'm personally not sure what the fuss is about. Would i prefer a LED strip as my DRL's, sure, but since I don't have that (not that I have Xenon's either anymore due to driving a Polo GTI) I just use my headlights in the on position. Having headlights and rear parking lights on during the day is good for visibility of your car. Fleets who have this locked on also (used to? still do?) get lower insurance premiums due to the well known safety aspects of this.
So if I owned a GTI with Xenons, and it didn't have a DRL function, I'd be just turning them on anyway.

[flappa]

I will be happy to have DRL's especially on a Carbon Steel GTI. No plan to try and turn them off

[Mk6 GTI]

I will be happy to have DRL's especially on a Carbon Steel GTI. No plan to try and turn them off


Haha same here :)

[MkVIGTI]

I noticed in some photos that there is a small hexagonal light underneath the xenons but in other photos they are not visible. Does anyone know if these lights are standard on Oz spec cars with xenon?

[Maverick]

I noticed in some photos that there is a small hexagonal light underneath the xenons but in other photos they are not visible. Does anyone know if these lights are standard on Oz spec cars with xenon?

They're commonly called parking lights.

[Mk6 GTI]

I noticed in some photos that there is a small hexagonal light underneath the xenons but in other photos they are not visible. Does anyone know if these lights are standard on Oz spec cars with xenon?

Yes they are standard.. Would have been nicer if there were replaced with LEDs! But anyway..

[hooba]

They're commonly called parking lights.

How good are those Germans, thinking up all this new technology? :emo_baghead:

[niulf]

So its designed to have the low beam on and also rear parking lights? :|

Yes. The guy told me the lights must be on when driving a car in Europe. He mentioned they are working on it to make sure the lights can be turn off for Aussie customers and it might be done during my next service.

[Sute]

I'm personally not sure what the fuss is about. Would i prefer a LED strip as my DRL's, sure, but since I don't have that (not that I have Xenon's either anymore due to driving a Polo GTI) I just use my headlights in the on position. Having headlights and rear parking lights on during the day is good for visibility of your car. Fleets who have this locked on also (used to? still do?) get lower insurance premiums due to the well known safety aspects of this.
So if I owned a GTI with Xenons, and it didn't have a DRL function, I'd be just turning them on anyway.

The fuss is about - not being able to turn off you lights (front & rear) ever, and being told that this is how the car was designed and that VW is currently working on a solution.
If the setup was right, I'm sure they wouldn't even think about 'working' on a solution.
No other EURO car has DRL's (Front & back) enabled at the moment.

[oshuyi]

vw cars are known to have electrical issues with their cars, so this is just one of them.
i just hope the goft R won't have this issue

[Corey_R]

I'm sorry, but you can HARDLY call this an 'electrical issue'.
This is by design because it is LAW in Europe.

So sure, in response to Sute, VW Australia are seeing what can be done to allow Australian customers to turn it off, since it isn't a law (yet) in Australia. But lets not go making this a huge issue or labling it something it's not!

[MkVIGTI]

So am I correct to assume that in the normal golfs you can turn the DRL off but in those with Xenons you can't? I would be expecting mine in a week or two...

[Corey_R]

Correct MkVGTI, that is the situation at this time.

[shaq]

I wonder if anyone else (with Bi-xenon’s) has the same issue.

No matter where you leave the light switch (0, Auto, Park, Lights), the low beam + rear lights are always on.:confused:

The dealer told me that they have informed the VW about this and apparently they are already working on a fix.

I know they have the DRL feature but they are the tiny lights housed under the xenons.

Sute: Which dealer did you call?? Cause I have the same issue.. and i really want them turned off !! Those globes are fricken expensive to replace... did you hear back? Cause if they have i want to go to the same dealer you went to get mine fixed under warranty..

[Maverick]

Sute: Which dealer did you call?? Cause I have the same issue.. and i really want them turned off !! Those globes are fricken expensive to replace... did you hear back? Cause if they have i want to go to the same dealer you went to get mine fixed under warranty..

Did you bother reading the thread first?

If $150 is friggin expensive you should rethink your choice of car. You spent $2000 on an option I assume for safety reasons but don't want to use them because you might have to pay $150 for a bulb after 2000-3000 hours (and as posted by Coreying on the previous page this is 70,000km to 105,000km).

[hooba]

This reminds me of a work trip to the Philippines, where I noticed that a lot of the cars would sit at the traffic lights with their headlights turned off. One night whilst getting a lift from a local colleague I noticed he was doing it as well, and I asked him what it was about. He replied that they do it to extend the life of the bulbs, and then nervously laughed as he was embarrassed.

I did consider telling him that he should be putting the car into neutral when going down hill in order to save petrol, but thought better of it in case he decided to try out the "angel gear" whilst I was in the car. ;)

[trueman]

Did you bother reading the thread first?

If $150 is friggin expensive you should rethink your choice of car. You spent $2000 on an option I assume for safety reasons but don't want to use them because you might have to pay $150 for a bulb after 2000-3000 hours (and as posted by Coreying on the previous page this is 70,000km to 105,000km).
In reality we are paying way too much for golfs here and options. Have a look at what they pay in US. A lot cheaper than here even with the exchange rate.
And this european car option scam!!!!
Why not have three levels of spec like say subaru e.g cloth seats std alloys---> leather xenons sunroof ---->leather xenons bigger wheels and satnav etc... This minimises waiting times and cost I am sure.
In retrospect I really regret ordering my car with options. I would have been better off trolling the car yards and picking up a stock with detroits.And adding aftermarket bluetooth tint suspension (if needed)

[Corey_R]

Trueman - get real seriously. Have a look at the price of ANY car in the USA. Using that in any argument is baseless. It's been done in numerous threads and you'll never come to any conclusion because the differences between the USA and Australia (or even the UK) are just too complex.

As for having two or three different equipment specs - in a way, that's why the trendline and comfort line is, but I agree, they could go further. HOWEVER, have a look at ANY thread on this forum about an option and see the ranges of opinion on them. Then try and get ANY consensus (or even a few people) agreeing on what should be included in a luxury pack, and you'll start to understand why the European car companies give you a range of individual options.

[Sute]

If $150 is friggin expensive you should rethink your choice of car. You spent $2000 on an option I assume for safety reasons but don't want to use them because you might have to pay $150 for a bulb after 2000-3000 hours (and as posted by Coreying on the previous page this is 70,000km to 105,000km).

That's the point Maverick. You spend an extra $2K for something that has a design fault. Don't get me wrong, I would've paid even more just to have the xenons because I just love them, but is just bit anoying - that's all.

[Maverick]

That's the point Maverick. You spend an extra $2K for something that has a design fault. Don't get me wrong, I would've paid even more just to have the xenons because I just love them, but is just bit anoying - that's all.

Where's the design fault? I can't see how the lights operating when the car is turned on is an operating fault. This could be turned off with vagcom/vcds anyway if you wanted to.

Still if that's all you've got to be annoyed about with the car that's probably a good indicator as to VW getting the car too perfect.

[Lams]

for those who have VCDS and want to have a go at fixing the bi-xenon issue themselves, thsi may be helpful: http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4743553

[Corey_R]

Where's the design fault? I can't see how the lights operating when the car is turned on is an operating fault. This could be turned off with vagcom/vcds anyway if you wanted to.

Still if that's all you've got to be annoyed about with the car that's probably a good indicator as to VW getting the car too perfect.

Exactly. If I purchased a GTI, since it doesn't have a 'LED Strip' for the DRL's, if the Bi-Xenon's weren't already programmed this way I'd be asking my dealer to change it so the Bi-Xenons always came on when the car is in use. Being more visible to other drivers is only a good thing, and paying $150 every 70,000 to 105,000km is a small price to pay for that additional safety. It's almost like a really cheap insurance policy :)

[Sute]

Where's the design fault? I can't see how the lights operating when the car is turned on is an operating fault. This could be turned off with vagcom/vcds anyway if you wanted to.

Still if that's all you've got to be annoyed about with the car that's probably a good indicator as to VW getting the car too perfect.


The "design fault' are VW words and not mine (I've mentioned this in this post earlier). Next time you visit your local dealer ask them to show you the official VW memo (as they can't provide you with a print out - internal policy).

Thanks for the link Lams, I wish we all have VAG-COMs to play with the settings while stuck in traffic in Sydney.
As far as I can see in this post, they still haven't figured out how to have only the City\Parking lights as the DLRs.

[shaq]

for those who have VCDS and want to have a go at fixing the bi-xenon issue themselves, thsi may be helpful: http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4743553

Thanks Lams on the link..

I am going to call VW service department and ask them to turn the DRL's off as yes for me it Pees me off.. and if they say at this stage they dont know.. Ill just print out the simple instructions as per that link and show them. When they service the car, from what i have read they generally connect the car up via VAGCOm to ensure all systems are check and everything is A ok .. right?? So if they can do that.. surely they will be able to go into the menues and change it as per the link and then WALLA Problem solved!

[trueman]

Trueman - get real seriously. Have a look at the price of ANY car in the USA. Using that in any argument is baseless. It's been done in numerous threads and you'll never come to any conclusion because the differences between the USA and Australia (or even the UK) are just too complex.

As for having two or three different equipment specs - in a way, that's why the trendline and comfort line is, but I agree, they could go further. HOWEVER, have a look at ANY thread on this forum about an option and see the ranges of opinion on them. Then try and get ANY consensus (or even a few people) agreeing on what should be included in a luxury pack, and you'll start to understand why the European car companies give you a range of individual options.


I am serious. We all get caught up in the VW/ GTI hype and seem to accept the little/big reliability issues that cheaper cars don't have !!

[MkVIGTI]

I called up my dealer the other day and I asked him whether he can do the sweeping needles on start up for me through the Vagcom and he was reluctant about it, saying something about taking on the extra responsibility for the changes through the software so I doubt they are gonna help us change the Bi Xenon programs...

[shaq]

I called up my dealer the other day and I asked him whether he can do the sweeping needles on start up for me through the Vagcom and he was reluctant about it, saying something about taking on the extra responsibility for the changes through the software so I doubt they are gonna help us change the Bi Xenon programs...

Yeah.. I could probally understand him saying a no to the sweeping needles on start up.. (I didnt know that on the GTI you can actually select that) If ya can whoo hoo that would be kool.. I kinda like that feature when you see it on the subies. But Turning an expensive light off VW need to come to the party.. if a forum member can do it .. surely they can since it is not by law that we need them on over here.. O_O

[MkVIGTI]

Update: I have just received my car and the sweeping needles were implemented by the dealer, he has also managed to turn off the Bi Xenons so that they are not used as the DRL!

[Corey_R]

Update: I have just received my car and the sweeping needles were implemented by the dealer, he has also managed to turn off the Bi Xenons so that they are not used as the DRL!

That's good news mate.
I wonder if you're able to let us know the service guys name and the dealer, so that other members here can tell their dealers to contact that person for information. I too saw a MK6 GTI with Bi-Xenon with the correct globe being used as the DRL (the little one underneath and kinda between the two main bulbs) this morning on the way to work, so the info is filtering out there, just too slowly!

[shaq]

Update: I have just received my car and the sweeping needles were implemented by the dealer, he has also managed to turn off the Bi Xenons so that they are not used as the DRL!

BOO YEAH !!..

Brother.. Please do tell which VW dealer did this for you and the name of the technician that did this please. I BEG YOU :raiseroof:

So i can get this sorted with mine ASAP :-)

:banana:

[shaq]

That's good news mate.
I wonder if you're able to let us know the service guys name and the dealer, so that other members here can tell their dealers to contact that person for information. I too saw a MK6 GTI with Bi-Xenon with the correct globe being used as the DRL (the little one underneath and kinda between the two main bulbs) this morning on the way to work, so the info is filtering out there, just too slowly!

coreying, just wondering, was the rear tail lights still on? or where they off and only the small lights were on?

[Maverick]

I too saw a MK6 GTI with Bi-Xenon with the correct globe being used as the DRL (the little one underneath and kinda between the two main bulbs) this morning on the way to work, so the info is filtering out there, just too slowly!

He probably had his parkers turned on as this turns off the DRL's.

As for posting the dealers details this might not be a good idea as they're not supposed to make changes like this.

Sent from my Nexus One using Tapatalk

[Corey_R]

coreying, just wondering, was the rear tail lights still on? or where they off and only the small lights were on?

I don't to be honest - it and I were going through a round-a-bout and so I couldn't see it pulling away from me to check.

[MkVIGTI]

shaq I'm in Melbourne though... I'm happy to PM people about the details of the dealer and technician if they are interested but I probably won't post it up like Maverick said

[G-rig]

anyone else with xenons having this issue??

Yeah i've noticed the xenons are on during the day (even when set to the OFF position) however the dash background disply only lights up when it's suppose to. Noticed that the GTI needles are always lit regardless which is cool, and not sure about this, but seems that when i'm driving into the sun all the dash lights are on which is pretty good if that's meant to happen.


That's the point Maverick. You spend an extra $2K for something that has a design fault. Don't get me wrong, I would've paid even more just to have the xenons because I just love them, but is just bit anoying - that's all.

Doesn't seem right to me to have the expensive main bi-xenons running all day, and sounds like VW have acknowledged the problem anyway. My R32 with Bi-xenons didn't do it and although the MK6 may have DRL feature i dont think they are meant to be the main bulbs. just not worth wearing them out for no reason.

[G-rig]

I don't think it's a fault as the bi-xenons are meant to be on as it's the DRL feature.

I don't drive mine heaps anyway.

[kennyc]

I saw an Audi s6 i tihnk on saturday during the day and i think it had xenon's with the lights on as well. So maybe they have the same issue?

[MkVIGTI]

The bi xenons can be turned off, you just need to nag the dealer into doing it for you :) however, I don't like the fact that the coming home function of the light needs to be activated everytime you switch off the engine for it to work. Would be good if it just stays on after you switch off the ignition for the time set in the MFD...

[Mk6 GTI]

I hardly think the xenons being on is an 'issue'.

Man they are the amazing!! They change the look of the car and the way it lights the place up at night is so impressive. LOVE them!

[G-rig]

The bi xenons can be turned off, you just need to nag the dealer into doing it for you :) however, I don't like the fact that the coming home function of the light needs to be activated everytime you switch off the engine for it to work. Would be good if it just stays on after you switch off the ignition for the time set in the MFD...

Wonder why the coming home function doesn't stay on like it used to with the MK5, would be ok if you could enable that in vagcom instead of having them on all day LOL.

[G-rig]

Does anyone know why the rear lights have to be on during the day? By default the bi-xenons are turned on as DRL's but noticed the tail lights are on too.

cheers,

[Lams]

you can make the coming home function like the mk5 by using VCDS/Vag-com!

[Maverick]

you can make the coming home function like the mk5 by using VCDS/Vag-com!

And vise versa.

[Lima]

My S3 does the needle sweep thing at start up. It was cool for the first couple of weeks. Now I don't even notice it.

[G-rig]

you can make the coming home function like the mk5 by using VCDS/Vag-com!

Do you have an update? I didn't think it worked when we tried it.

[G-rig]

My S3 does the needle sweep thing at start up. It was cool for the first couple of weeks. Now I don't even notice it.

You could disable it but I don't mind it, pretty cool.

[Corey_R]

My S3 does the needle sweep thing at start up. It was cool for the first couple of weeks. Now I don't even notice it.

I took two R's for a test drive, and didn't notice either of them do the needle sweep... but apparently the R's do it... so go figure :D

[G-rig]

The demo R at highway did the needle sweep..

[Corey_R]

Oh... I'm sure it did. I'm sure the ones I was in probably did it too. It's just when you turn on the car and that rush of excitement flows through your veins, the last thing I noticed was what the bloody needles were doing :D

[Lams]

I turned off the xenon DRL for a mate but it still isn't right.
OFF is off, but AUTO means ON. Leaving home only works in AUTO mode (in mk5s it also works in OFF)

We can't take it out of two stage unlocking either, the option isn't in the MFD. The VCDS label file isn't developed yet, but I'm sure given time it would make things a lot easier in the future. We enabled the sweeping and it took a few key cycles before it worked, but like most people say here, you'd stop noticing it. It is just about the most pointless feature?

As for 'coming home', I'll go look up what I did to my mother's Eos which runs the mk6 electronics.

[Lams]

this is a halogen equipped Eos (which both my mother and I pointed out the halogens suck after having the bi-xenon in the passat)

46000A3BFA25186040080080340081244151548851208D605C 8000000000

change to:
46000A3BFA25186040080080300081244171548851208D605C 8000000000

I also had a play with DRL on the Eos, I was able to make the DRL function on the fogs instead of low beam, but yes the parkers and tail lights stayed on. Still, if the bi-xenon owners are concerned about burning expensive xenon bits, this could be an (illegal) option.

Yes the xenon parts should last 5 times longer than halogen, but when they fail, it is not fun. Our passat with at 72000km blew both the bulb and ballast on one side. Thanks to ebay, the repair was only $400 in parts and a few hours of my time, but if you pay VW to do it outside warranty you're looking at approx. $1500 as it's a headlight-out job!

Still, I'd option it without a doubt