Mot Failure...Xenon Headlight Adjustment

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Clarity

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Hi all,

My A4 2.0TDi S-line has been in for MOT but failed on a tyre and both headlamp aim being too low.

Simple I thought until I remembered its got the Xenon's with auto-leveling.

I've only had the car little over a month but have noticed at night the lights not pointing very high so have some concerns:

1 - Is the auto-leveling system working at all. I don't have any errors/codes/warning lights. How to check this?
2 - How to adjust them. Searching it appears you need VCDS to set to MOT mode to then adjust on the screws. Is this correct?
3 - Could Audi adjust them and how much should I expect to pay?

Now the MOT was done at a Skoda dealer (due to locality to my work) so should they be able to set them to the MOT mode to adjust using their VCDS system or are they generally separate to the Audi system? Looking at Briskoda it seems its a similar process to the Superb.

I am hoping Nigel will have a look at this thread as being a local man might need his VAG-COM services.
 
Yeah vcds on an mot bay will do, but the skoda dealer can do this for you as long as there license with vag ITsystems allows connectivity with audi's, should be able too & it takes about 10 minutes to do.

As for cost, cant advise tbh, best to ask them direct, its not a hard thing to do at all.
 
Hi Nigel,

Thanks for the quick reply.

I am just concerned that the reason it not level is that it has a problem as at night the lights are facing down (to the point where most of the road ahead dis in darkness). On reading it seemd this si the default/error position.

I am going to check tonight to see if the adjust themselves on start up.

Im guessing with VCDS it is able to run a diagnostic on the headlamps to check this would I? If so it may be the time to look at getting the kit. Could you PM me the cost on this?

Thanks

Ben
 
Have you done any suspension work?

Yes vcds has some facilities to test some systems.

It may just be the adjustment needed, whereabouts are you located?
 
Nope, standard S-line suspension.

It passed the MOT last year and the previous owner has not had any work that would involve the front / lights coming out.

Did the test to see if it was doing the initial calibration (lights on, then turn the ignition on to see if it moves up/down) and is does which is kind of a relief. Also on the way home they seem to be higher. Maybe they did it.

Anyway, i'll do a garage door check tomorrow evening and see how 'out' they are.

As for location im in Polegate, E. Sussex. Not a million miles away form you I believe.
 
Be careful when adjusting them up manually, I ended up winding one side up until it maxed out and started clicking. I then had no adjustment either way as the adjuster was jammed on the threads. Headlight split apart to unjam screw from thread.
 
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Thanks for heads up Majik, that could be a bad day.

Well manage to check against the garage door and they do seem low. Based on 650mm height the beam is about 580mm at 5m / 16' so well over the 2% limit on the mot.

Going to speak to The garage on Monday to see if they can do it and the cost.
 
Spoke to Audi this morning.

First they said you dont usually have to 'plug them in' to adjust them so a bit concerning. Then after pushing they said it'll be about £60-64 quid and 30-45 mins.

Rather put it towards getting Vagcom and adjust it myself.
 
Just to share my experiences on this. I had to "reset" my bi xenons after I lowered my car. I used VCDS only. When it went into the "adjustment" mode where you are supposed to adjust them manually, the lights actually reset themselves without having to go near them physically. So you may find the same. Your car is different I realise but just FYI I followed the below procedure.

[Select]
[55 - Xenon Range]
[Basic Settings - 04]
Group 001
[Go!]
Activate the Basic Setting.
[ON/OFF/Next]
The meas. block field now shows "Wait" and should switch to "Adjust Headlights" then (this may take up to 10 seconds).
Adjust the headlights using their manual adjusting screws as referenced against a suitable aiming target.
[ON/OFF/Next]
The adjustment should now be learned.
[Done, Go Back]
Don't forget to check/clear fault codes afterwards.
[Close Controller, Go Back - 06]


So as soon as it said "Adjust Headlights" I just clicked [ON/OFF/Next] right away, without going near the light, as they reset themselves without having to.
 
s3_trev said:
Just to share my experiences on this. I had to "reset" my bi xenons after I lowered my car. I used VCDS only. When it went into the "adjustment" mode where you are supposed to adjust them manually, the lights actually reset themselves without having to go near them physically. So you may find the same. Your car is different I realise but just FYI I followed the below procedure....
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, worth knowing and trying first off. I think it could be very similar as its was fine last MOT and the nothing has happened that would cause both to now be too low.

Just need Nigel (NHN) to answer my request for price on Vagcom now. :icon thumright:
 
I'm not an expert with vcds etc but if there has been any work on suspension or had a bulb changed at some point then that can put the adjustment out.

It takes seconds to adjust to the correct level (I'm a tester and adjust on a regular basis) the electric motors are only required to work when you have extra load say more passengers which on a normal car would push the back of the car down making the lights point higher.
The 'self levelling' has sensors on the suspension which then communicates to the control module making the motors adjust the headlights down to the required height.

It sounds like all that's required is a manual adjustment to set them at the correct level. It would take 10 mins at the most to set up equipment and adjust etc.

I'm surprised the tester didn't just automatically adjust them...?
 
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