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Headlight Problems: Troubleshooting & Solutions

 
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Steffen G
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Post07-11-2025, 22:18    Subject: Headlight Problems: Troubleshooting & Solutions Quote

Hello!

My ancient Golf 4,
Year: 1997.
He had to take the car for its technical inspection (TÜV) in the spring.

The young man complained that the brackets had broken off the headlight.
I fixed it with glazing putty, and it lasted for many years. It was actually still in good condition.

Okay, it's not that bad. I bought two new headlights from an auto parts store and installed them, and everything is fine now.
I think it was Valeo.

That was a good thing, because the cables in the headlights were partially exposed, meaning the insulation was partially peeling off.
It was only a matter of time before the system short-circuited.

Okay, here's the translation:

"I've driven at night before."
Oh, something about the lighting is kind of strange...
The thing about the high beams just didn't work.

Then, back at home, I positioned the car in front of the wall, turned on the lights, and yes, the low beam headlights are working correctly.
The TÜV inspector also adjusted the headlights during the re-inspection.

But on the right side,
"There, the high beam shines directly onto the area where the low beam is supposed to be. So, the area where it's adjusted, you know what I mean."

The left headlight is fine, but the high beam is noticeably brighter.

Quite a silly thing...

I'm fairly certain that I used the correct light bulbs and installed them properly.


It's also proving difficult because I probably won't be able to access the light bulbs of the auxiliary headlights.
without removing the bumper or taking out the headlights.
I'll figure out how to get to the other lamps somehow, but they seem to be working fine.

I took a close look at it yesterday, and the headlights look normal. The bulbs seem to be seated correctly, as far as I can tell from the front.

I'm not really sure what to do next...

Have you ever experienced something like this before, or do you have any ideas?
Grüße, Steffen!

Golf 4 TDI,
T4 Doka-Pritsche, paar Oldtimer


Translated on 03-10-2026, 7:36.
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Post09-11-2025, 11:00    Subject: Headlight Problems: Troubleshooting & Solutions Quote

Hello Steffen,

So, the high beam is shining in the wrong direction, but the low beam is working correctly?

Either the light source isn't properly positioned, or there's a manufacturing defect in the headlights, I would say...

"Not your headlights, but presumably the high beam and low beam are integrated into a single headlight unit and not individually adjustable?"

Best regards, Rainer.


Translated on 03-10-2026, 7:40.
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Steffen G
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Post09-11-2025, 18:44    Subject: Headlight Problems: Troubleshooting & Solutions Quote

Hi!
Yes, it's a standard Golf 4.
Everything is contained within a single headlight.

The headlight contains a reflector for the low beam.
and one for the high beam headlights.

It doesn't seem like it's adjustable.
The LWR is functioning normally.

Okay, then I guess I'll have no choice but to remove the bumper and the headlight, and take a good look at it.
And then maybe I'll talk to the dealer; luckily, I bought it from a dealer right here in town, and I know the dealer very well.
Grüße, Steffen!

Golf 4 TDI,
T4 Doka-Pritsche, paar Oldtimer


Translated on 03-10-2026, 7:41.
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Herbert
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Post09-11-2025, 20:51    Subject: Headlight Problems: Troubleshooting & Solutions Quote

Hi Steffen,
I have a halogen double headlight assembly here, salvaged from a Golf 7 (it's a remnant from a collision with a female deer).
According to the specifications, it can also be completely adjusted laterally and in height (adjustment screws marked in image 1). At the bottom of the housing, in the area of the fog light, there are two more screws (marked in image 2) that act on the headlight reflector with a ball joint. With my headlight, this should allow for height adjustment. They can be turned with a Torx or Allen key. You can see the screw itself in image 3.
Maybe it will work for you too.
hg
Herbert.

- Sorry, the order of the uploaded images is reversed. But you can see that, right?



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Horch A4 8K CJCD
Golf 7 DDYA
(+ Audi 80 Avant B4 1Z 475Tkm - habe ich vom ersten bis zum letzten Tag gerne gefahren)
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Translated on 03-10-2026, 7:43.
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