Technical Service Bulletin
94 Xenon headlights are aimed too low or passenger side is too high
94 16 74 2037810/2 February 29, 2016. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 94 number 14-45 dated
July 22, 2014 for reasons listed below.
Model(s)

Year

VIN Range

Vehicle-Specific Equipment

A3

2015 - 2018

All

With xenon headlights

Condition
REVISION HISTORY
Revision

Date

Purpose

2

-

Revised title
Revised header data (Added model years)
Revised Condition (Added third condition)
Revised Technical Background (Added information about right headlight
complaints)

1

7/22/2014

Initial publication

In a vehicle with xenon headlights, one of the following conditions is present:
• The customer says that there is a “dark spot” in the middle of the xenon headlight illumination pattern over
road.
• The customer says that one or both of the xenon headlights are aimed too low or do not provide enough
lighting distance.
• The customer says the right side low beam is aimed too high or is not level with the left low beam.

Technical Background
“Dark spot” complaints
The “dark spot” in the headlight illumination pattern is normal. It is
a result of the geometry and structure of the xenon headlight
(Figure 1 and Figure 2).

Figure 1. Illumination of xenon headlight.
© 2016 Audi of America, Inc.

Page 1 of 3

All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin

Figure 2. Light distribution of A3 xenon headlights.
The xenon headlight meets all legal regulations. This condition is normal. Adjusting or replacing the headlight will
not remove the dark spot.
“Right headlight aimed too high” complaints
This is a normal condition. No repair or adjustments should be performed. Adjustment of the headlights to make
them level relative to each other can create an unsafe driving condition and should never be performed. The driver
side low beam is designed to be lower than the passenger side low beam to prevent blinding on-coming traffic.The
passenger side low beam should remain higher to provider a longer illumination distance of the road.
“Headlight aimed too low” complaints
For general complaints about this condition, use the headlight check procedure in the Elsa repair manual. Before
adjusting, ensure that these critical pre-conditions are met:
• Fuel tank is at 90% or additional weight is added.
• Tire pressure meets vehicle’s specifications.
• Driver’s seat load or occupant is present.
• No extra equipment or items are in the trunk or in the interior compartment of the vehicle.
• Seating of the springs is correct.
• EPB is not activated.
• Vehicle is on a flat surface.
• Headlamp adjuster is located to the correct distance in front of the vehicle.
• Headlamp adjuster is set up properly with the correct inclination dimension.
• Low beam is turned on and is not set to “auto” or “high beam”.
The conditions listed here are for reference. Consult the Elsa repair manual for the official pre-conditions.

Production Solution
Not applicable.

© 2016 Audi of America, Inc.

Page 2 of 3

All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
Service
If no adjustment is made, explain to the customer the design of the headlights and the pattern that is required to
match legal regulations.

Warranty
This TSB is informational only and not applicable to any Audi warranty.

Additional Information
All parts and service references provided in this TSB (2037810) are subject to change and/or removal. Always
check with your Parts Department and service manuals for the latest information.

© 2016 Audi of America, Inc.

Page 3 of 3

All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.