Audi A3 Light System Chaos: Switch & Dashboard Issues

Having worked on my 2018 Audi A4 with similar electrical problems, I can share my experience with automotive switch issues. Though I have basic experience with car maintenance, this particular problem required professional help. The symptoms you describe match what I encountered, unusual light activation, unresponsive dimmer switch, and dashboard warning lights. The root cause in my case was a faulty connection in the main headlight switch assembly. The repair involved: 1. Diagnostic testing of the electrical system 2. Removal of the headlight switch module 3. Replacement of damaged wiring and connectors 4. Testing all dashboard lights and switches Total repair cost was 95 Euro, which covered both parts and labor. The workshop completed everything in about 2 hours. Before suggesting specific solutions, could you provide: Full error messages from your dashboard, Whether the issue happens more during wet weather, If other electrical components are affected, Whether the problem is constant or intermittent This information would help determine if your A3 has the same underlying issue mine had. These electrical problems can have multiple causes, from simple connection issues to more complex dashboard lights malfunctions.

Last service completed at 39000 KM. After reading your message, I wanted to add that my tail lights also flicker occasionally, which I forgot to mention initially. The dashboard error messages specifically show Light Control Malfunction and happen mostly during evening drives. The fuse box has been checked and all fuses related to lighting are intact. The car light switch itself feels loose when turning, unlike when the car was new. The issue occurs regardless of weather conditions and seems to be getting more frequent. The headlight switch problems started gradually but have become daily occurrences now. Other electrical systems like power windows and radio work perfectly fine.

Thanks for providing those additional details about your A3. The loose feeling in your light switch assembly sounds very familiar, it was exactly the same symptom I had in my A4 before things got worse. Based on the flickering tail lights and the loose headlight switch, plus the error messages you mentioned, this strongly points to wear in the switch mechanism itself. In my case, the internal contacts of the automotive switch had degraded, causing intermittent connections. When my tail lights started flickering, I initially thought it was a fuse box issue too. But even with all fuses testing fine, the problem persisted. The dimmer switch function was the next to fail completely. The repair shop found that moisture had entered the headlight switch housing over time, corroding the contacts. The entire switch assembly needed replacement rather than just cleaning. They also checked the wiring harness connections while the switch was out, since these can sometimes be damaged when the switch fails. Since your symptoms match mine so closely, I suggest having the headlight switch assembly checked as your next step. The increasing frequency of issues suggests the problem will only get worse, potentially affecting other lighting functions. The repair was straightforward once properly diagnosed, just ensure they test all lighting functions thoroughly after replacement, including the dimmer switch and tail lights.

Thanks for sharing such detailed repair info. Your description of the headlight switch issue matches my symptoms exactly, especially the part about the loose switch feel. Really helpful to know about the potential moisture damage too. I will schedule a diagnostic check focusing on the car lighting system, particularly the switch assembly. The fact that your repair was completed in 2 hours and cost 95 Euro gives me a good baseline for what to expect. The tail lights flickering has gotten worse since my last post, and now the fuse box check seems less relevant since it was the same path you investigated. Makes sense that the light switch itself is the likely culprit, given how the problems keep increasing despite good fuses. Will update once I get it checked out, but your experience has given me a clear direction on what to have them inspect first. The gradual failure pattern sounds identical to what I am experiencing with my car switch problems.