Flickering Lights: Causes and Solutions

Hi fellow mechanics! I've been working on a 2003 Sharan with a 96kW PD engine for the past 3 days. The headlights flicker slightly from idle up to 2000 RPM. The foreman immediately replaced the glow plug module, which had 32,000 km on it. The error memory is clear, the battery and wiring are fine. I raised the idle speed by 100 RPM using VAS, the ground connections are okay, and I haven't found anything interesting in ELSA. The problem persists. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks from Italy.

Good morning.

Xenon or halogen? Have you ever replaced the bulbs? What kind of flickering is it? Is it a very fast flicker or a slow one, meaning the frequency? How intense is the flickering, does it go all the way to complete darkness, or is it just slight and only noticeable if you look directly at the lights, or is it also visible while driving on the road? Also, does it happen even when the engine is off? Is the flickering on both sides?

Please provide more details!

Greetings from Franconia,
Mathias.

Slight flickering, only when the engine is running. Even the importer has no solution. No xenon headlights. Thank you in advance.

Good evening.

So, can I consider flickering as a high-frequency phenomenon? Is the flickering in any way dependent on the motor's speed?

Here's how I would proceed:
With the engine running, test for a direct connection between the positive terminal of the battery and the light bulb.
Replace fuse(s) (loose connection???)
Change the light bulbs.
If possible, use an oscilloscope to measure the voltage waveform (frequency and amplitude) at the light bulb (under load and unloaded).

What types of bulbs does the Touran use: H1, H4, ...?

Best regards,
Mathias.

This issue is present in all PD models in the Sharan, Alhambra, and Galaxy, and your 'importer' should be aware of it. The flickering comes from the auxiliary heater and is generally only present during the colder months. You can also check out the www.SGAF.de forum for more information.

Greetings.