One of my Xenons Stuck Pointing at Floor - FIXED

daveg

Active member
 Leatherhead, Surrey
I noticed this evening that my passenger side Xenon headlight is pointing really low, a few meters in front of the car. So low, that when sat back as normal the road is only being lit with the drivers side.

The drivers side whirrs and moves up/down when turning on ignition but the passengers doesn't move at all.

Auto-alignment motor gone?

Thanks,
Dave
 
Possibly the stepper motor, but it could be anyone of several things from loom connector to LCM.

I'd start by removing and refitting the loom connectors via the inspection hatch.
 
No luck unfortunately CJ.

Any further ideas? The bumper is coming off at the weekend so a good chance to get a part in and refit if that's what it takes.

Kind Regards,
Dave

P.S. Thought you'd be replying, was just going to PM but threw it out to the Forum :)
 
Dave,

Sure - I was online. (looking for some Brembo discs for the X5 and none anywhere, due to factory probs in Italy :thumbsdown: )

If the bumper is coming off and light out then I'd connect the faulty light to the good side's loom by undoing the connectors and temp fitting it on the bad light. If it cycles then you know it's not the light. If it doesn't then it's the light. (I know what I'm talking about even if that makes no sense...lol)

I've got some spare stepper motors if it turns out to be one of those.
 
Great idea CJ, thank you.

How easy is the stepper motor replacement? Can this be done without removing the bumper? It's a new one going on and I like to remove as few times as possible since I feel the plastic tabs wear down and it doesn't fit as 'tight'.

Kind Regards,
Dave
 
Never actually replaced the stepper as an item, just salvaged bits as I've sacrificed old lights. From memory though it just 3 torx hold the motor, a nylon type knuckle ball clips into the silver deflector and a loom connector.

Has to be worth a try to do it through the arch with the wheel off and on axle stands.
 
Well I never.

Took bumper and problematic light off at lunch (getting good at this). The up/down manual adjust was filthy at the allen key adjust end at bottom and geared end at top. Gave a clean and re-grease before trying on the other side, and it worked. Don't ask me how as manual adjust seems to have nothing to do with auto levelling.

Replaced on passenger side and all OK now. Free fix always a bonus.

Thanks CJ :)
 
The cleaning of the external adjuster of course had nothing to do with the internal motor adjustment. I'd suggest the act of connecting and disconnecting leads and and bit of knocking the light while removing it fixed a a wiring connection.

Anyway a cheap fix :)
 
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