Aim: Understand the Adaptive Lighting System (AFS) fault and how to fix it by changing the cornering bulbs.
The most common problem with the adaptive bend lighting system (AFS) is a broken bulb. Even if your car is fitted with dynamic headlamps that rotate the bixenon headlamps according to the position of the steering wheel, there are still two H7 bulbs for static bend lighting. These two bulbs must work for the system to function properly. If you see the message “Fault: adaptive lighting (AFS)” on the instrument cluster and/or infotainment screen, one of the first things you need to check are these bulbs. It’s a quick and easy solution. As soon as the bulb is replaced, the error message disappears. It is not necessary to use a diagnostic interface such as VCDS or OBDeleven, but there will most likely be a fault code in the module’s memory (09 – Cent. Elect.) The H7 static cornering bulbs are also used as additional lighting when the car is in reverse. For a whiter style like xenons, you can replace these bulbs with white H7 bulbs (bluish bulb).
If the fault is still present after replacing the bulbs, or if the bulbs were not out of order and you have a fault in the power unit or xenon unit such as “basic setting / incorrect adjustment” / “headlight adjustment calibration missing”: Basic headlight adjustment is required! If fault is ECU incorrectly coded or ECU headlamp settings, Lighting actuator: AFS module in optics out of order, check connectors or replace module, see optics.
Fault: adaptive lighting system (AFS) on instrument cluster (ODB) :
Default: adaptive lighting system (AFS) on Discover Media or Pro infotainment screen:
The H7 adaptive lighting bulb is shown here in the Golf 7 headlamp unit:
Location of light on driver’s side :
Location of driver’s side light, after removing cover and H7 bulb, beam disconnected :
Location of passenger-side light :
Location of passenger-side light, with cover removed, bulb and harness in place:
