Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.
Driver headlight auto levelling issue
-
- Newbie
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2019 4:40 pm
Driver headlight auto levelling issue
I am in need of some advice.
I have a E86, it failed MOT as the driver headlight alignment was too low. I brought it to my local garage who aligned them correctly. I went to the MOT centre that night and it failed again, this time it was too high.
When I turn on the car both headlights do adjust themselves but something, whether its a bump, keeps knocking the driver side off.
Has anyone had any experience of this?
I have a E86, it failed MOT as the driver headlight alignment was too low. I brought it to my local garage who aligned them correctly. I went to the MOT centre that night and it failed again, this time it was too high.
When I turn on the car both headlights do adjust themselves but something, whether its a bump, keeps knocking the driver side off.
Has anyone had any experience of this?
-
- Member
- Posts: 703
- Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2018 12:47 am
- Location: Shropshire
Driver headlight auto levelling issue
I am assuming you have Xenons? They self level, Halogen don't. To the right of your light switch, do you have 1 or 2 thumb wheel adjusters?
One = Xenon Two = Halogen. If you have Xenon they self adjust by using level sensors on the front and rear suspension. If one of those fail it will mess with your levelling. Check for codes. If you have Halogen I would suggest something is loose.
One = Xenon Two = Halogen. If you have Xenon they self adjust by using level sensors on the front and rear suspension. If one of those fail it will mess with your levelling. Check for codes. If you have Halogen I would suggest something is loose.
Ex E86 Z4 3.0si coupé facelift blue now Z'less
Porsche 997 C2S black-gone-, Mazda Eunos 1.8 yellow-gone-, Audi S4 Avant v6 Quattro 3.0 supercharged red-gone. Abarth 500 red. Abarth 124 Spider GT black. Porsche Cayenne red.
Porsche 997 C2S black-gone-, Mazda Eunos 1.8 yellow-gone-, Audi S4 Avant v6 Quattro 3.0 supercharged red-gone. Abarth 500 red. Abarth 124 Spider GT black. Porsche Cayenne red.
-
- Newbie
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2019 4:40 pm
Driver headlight auto levelling issue
They are Xenon - no thumb wheel adjusters. E86 Z4 3si coupe. Do you think that level sensor is disconnected from suspension?Jl-c wrote: ↑Fri Jan 18, 2019 5:04 pm I am assuming you have Xenons? They self level, Halogen don't. To the right of your light switch, do you have 1 or 2 thumb wheel adjusters?
One = Xenon Two = Halogen. If you have Xenon they self adjust by using level sensors on the front and rear suspension. If one of those fail it will mess with your levelling. Check for codes. If you have Halogen I would suggest something is loose.
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1873
- Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2013 7:11 pm
- Location: Rotherham
Driver headlight auto levelling issue
Could be, i believe the sensors are on the front wish bones.matti wrote: ↑Fri Jan 18, 2019 5:17 pmThey are Xenon - no thumb wheel adjusters. E86 Z4 3si coupe. Do you think that level sensor is disconnected from suspension?Jl-c wrote: ↑Fri Jan 18, 2019 5:04 pm I am assuming you have Xenons? They self level, Halogen don't. To the right of your light switch, do you have 1 or 2 thumb wheel adjusters?
One = Xenon Two = Halogen. If you have Xenon they self adjust by using level sensors on the front and rear suspension. If one of those fail it will mess with your levelling. Check for codes. If you have Halogen I would suggest something is loose.
Anymore info on your car? spec/pics?
-
- Member
- Posts: 703
- Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2018 12:47 am
- Location: Shropshire
Driver headlight auto levelling issue
This shows you.
- Attachments
-
- self_level.jpeg (56.31 KiB) Viewed 656 times
Ex E86 Z4 3.0si coupé facelift blue now Z'less
Porsche 997 C2S black-gone-, Mazda Eunos 1.8 yellow-gone-, Audi S4 Avant v6 Quattro 3.0 supercharged red-gone. Abarth 500 red. Abarth 124 Spider GT black. Porsche Cayenne red.
Porsche 997 C2S black-gone-, Mazda Eunos 1.8 yellow-gone-, Audi S4 Avant v6 Quattro 3.0 supercharged red-gone. Abarth 500 red. Abarth 124 Spider GT black. Porsche Cayenne red.
-
- Member
- Posts: 696
- Joined: Wed Jul 26, 2017 12:32 pm
- Location: Newbury, Berks UK
Driver headlight auto levelling issue
If the problem is just with one headlight then it is unlikely to be an issue with your level sensors on the suspension. More likely an issue with the levelling motor (or wiring) on that headlight.
Also possible that levelling motor has become mechanically disconnected from the headlight internals - I've had this on an E9x but not sure if the Z4 is prone to the same issue if the headlight gets a knock.
Chris
Also possible that levelling motor has become mechanically disconnected from the headlight internals - I've had this on an E9x but not sure if the Z4 is prone to the same issue if the headlight gets a knock.
Chris
08 Z4 3.0si Sport Coupe in Montego Blue
-
- Member
- Posts: 703
- Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2018 12:47 am
- Location: Shropshire
Driver headlight auto levelling issue
Good point, I was thinking in pairs. Yes you are quite correct, more likely to be the internals or locating fixings of one headlight.rally-chris wrote: ↑Fri Jan 18, 2019 5:56 pm If the problem is just with one headlight then it is unlikely to be an issue with your level sensors on the suspension. More likely an issue with the levelling motor (or wiring) on that headlight.
Also possible that levelling motor has become mechanically disconnected from the headlight internals - I've had this on an E9x but not sure if the Z4 is prone to the same issue if the headlight gets a knock.
Chris
Ex E86 Z4 3.0si coupé facelift blue now Z'less
Porsche 997 C2S black-gone-, Mazda Eunos 1.8 yellow-gone-, Audi S4 Avant v6 Quattro 3.0 supercharged red-gone. Abarth 500 red. Abarth 124 Spider GT black. Porsche Cayenne red.
Porsche 997 C2S black-gone-, Mazda Eunos 1.8 yellow-gone-, Audi S4 Avant v6 Quattro 3.0 supercharged red-gone. Abarth 500 red. Abarth 124 Spider GT black. Porsche Cayenne red.
-
- Newbie
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2019 5:34 pm
Driver headlight auto levelling issue
I don't mean to sounds rude, but have you checked the bulb is seated correctly in said housing?
-
- Lifer
- Posts: 9539
- Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2015 9:09 am
- Location: South west Buckinghamshire
Driver headlight auto levelling issue
There was a link on the forum showing how to repair the adjuster
BMW Z4 30i 2003 auto 107's Whippy Toledo Blue
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981
-
- Member
- Posts: 175
- Joined: Mon Nov 16, 2015 2:40 pm
Driver headlight auto levelling issue
Found the issue to be quite common whilst I very briefly owned a Z4C with the same issue. As mentioned earlier, would be pretty safe to rule out the levelling sensor if one headlight levels correctly.
Some more details can be found here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=94238
Some more details can be found here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=94238
-
- Member
- Posts: 877
- Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2015 7:16 pm
Driver headlight auto levelling issue
Check to see if the sensor arm hasn't flipped.