MOT Failed - Headlight Allignment

[McDade]

Morning all,

So could do with some advice

This morning the zed went in for its MOT. Failed on a couple of points, but one in particular i need advice on

The headlight alignment is too low so has failed the MOT, apparently there should be an adjuster on the rear of the unit to amend this. Apparently my adjuster has broken so can they cannot just asjust this.

They have given me two options.

Replace the headlight unit completely at a cost of around £1000

the other option is to try replace the adjuster, at a cost £250 but this isnt guaranteed to work.

Any advice or comments would be great

 

[McDade]

Exact comment:

offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Cheers

 

[Marlon]

My headlights can be adjusted from the engine bay above the unit using a screw (I know cos I've raised them) - is this the adjuster they are talking about? Mine is a facelift 2008 Si though - so may be different on other models?

 

[ben g]

Take the headlamp out and you can sort out the adjuster yourself. The screw holding a plastic bit in had came loose on mine, causing low headlight aim in one headlamp. Done it up tight and it's been perfect ever since.

I'm not saying this is definitely the cause of your issue, buy rather than take their word for it and get taken for a ride, have a look first to see if it's a simple fix.

 

[McDade]

Morning all,

thanks for your feedback, feel much better now

The garage is going to sort the first issue which is a brake line corrosion, which i am happy for them to replace. They are going to release the car to me and i will park it up and take the headlight unit out and take a look myself.

They are saying the adjuster has seized and if they apply any more pressure it may snap. I think between me and my expert assistance (and all you guys) i should be able to sort this myself and put it back through

Thanks again

 

[Scooba_Steve]

It could be broken - if it is then you can't buy them separately, you'd need a scrap headlight to extract them from. You might be able to see from the wheel well if it is broken but it's definitely a lamp off job to replace.

Either way, don't force it.

 

[ben g]

I have random headlamp parts in my garage from when I converted to clear hockey sticks. Will take a look and see if i have adjuster bits.

 

[McDade]

I have random headlamp parts in my garage from when I converted to clear hockey sticks. Will take a look and see if i have adjuster bits.

Cheers Ben, that would be great even to compare against to try un-seize this adjuster

Cheers

 

[Scooba_Steve]

It's very unlikely to seize - nylon type plastic. Probably just got to the end of travel, they are known to break. Not massively common but have heard of a few, including mine.

You can see if it will adjust the other way. If you need to find a part and Ben doesn't have them then look for cars in breakers with cracked headlamps - they will be no use to anyone but should have adjusters intact.

Failing that the Sonar headlights are probably the most cost effective set of new lights - cheaper than a new unit from BMW and you could sell your other lamp. Or a scrappy if you want to replace like for like.

 

[maxman]

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg504/maxmanz4/001-2.jpg
If you look at top of the headlight you can see two small nuts,above these are there Allen key adjusters.
The one on the right has a flexicable attached to it.You could try squirting a little plus gas in the area of the nuts to see if they free up ,otherwise it's bumper off and take the h/l off to work on it.

 

[markeg]

From the top view....

 

[McDade]

Thanks again guys, i will keep you posted when i get it back

Cheers

 

[markeg]

One question - is the headlight Xenon or Halogen (IIRC 3.0 were Xenons?). If they are Xenon, does the auto leveller work when you switch the engine on?

 

[McDade]

They are Xenon, and i haven't noticed the auto leveller to be fair.

 

[markeg]

OK, it may be that your sensor is broken - mine failed previously as the arm broke, which meant that it wouldn't auto level - it's located on the wishbone behind the passenger side front wheel.

 

[McDade]

So, ive been doing to preparation in getting the headlight out and ive checked out the auto leveller.

The passenger side light levels when the car is switched on, but my drivers side doesnt. Could this be a symptom of of sensor failure or more likely an issue with the actual headlight

Cheers

 

[markeg]

Sounds like sensor failure. Have you check both sensors (front and rear)?

 

[McDade]

Thats the next job, i am assuming each headlight has a sensor?

Are they both located on the wishbone on each side?

Cheers

 

[Bing]

There are two - one on the front wishbone and one on the rear, both driver side. Rear ones often get broken when springs are changed as people forget to undo them before taking the spring off I believe.

If it's only one not levelling then it could also be a dead stepper motor, which is what adjusts the light height automatically. They do fail.

 

[markeg]

^^ as Bing mentioned, drivers side. You'll need to jack up the car (and maybe remove the wheel) to get at them unless you have a ramp. The front sensor went on mine, and the passenger still up/down/levelled automatically on start - so they *might* be independent. Or, as Bing mentioned could be the stepper motor. That is a replaceable part (although fiddly to do).