Xenon warning light

[6n2stan]

I just started the car and whilst the ignition was on, I had the xenon warning symbol (Amber caption bottom right of speedo) come on briefly. When I checked my headlights, the offside was out but I switched them off and on and it works again? I switched the car off and started everything again and all is fine now. The only thing I'm thinking is the battery isn't brilliant, can this have enough effect to stop a xenon firing up with the engine running?

[alexperkins]

I have never seen the a xenon warning symbol on the dash! What did it look like?

Thats a common sign that the bulb is beginning to fail. You may need to think about getting a new pair of bulbs. HIDS4U are the cheapest - get genuine Philips 4300k ones

[6n2stan]

The only reason I know it's there is because I drove the other GTI I had around the drive with the headlights out and I got the same warning lol. It kinda looks like a warning triangle with a circular arrow going around it. As you look at the speedo, it's at the 4-5 o clock position and smaller than the other warning lights.

Can you run 'whiter' bulbs that have an OE fit, say from a later Audi for example?

[alexperkins]

You can get Philips/Osram D2S 4800/5000k bulbs which are a bit whiter. You would find that newer bulbs are whiter anyway as they change colour with age

Im not sure thats a xenon warning light - I know the light you mean and i have a feeling thats something to do with an engine sensor, which normally only shows when youve had the battery off and go to start it after reconnecting

[alexperkins]

Presumably it was that symbol?

Thats the warning light for ASR/ESP. It was later changed to an ESP light in later years as the symbol didnt have much relevance

[6n2stan]

Yes that's the one. That's a massive coincidence, that light coming on made me switch the headlights on and find the bulb out That light means nothing then, I don't have ESP nor does the other car to think of it.

It stayed on with the other GTI and cleared after the headlights were back in too - strange. But it adds up to what you say, I had to jump start my car today

Cheers