Xenon Headlamp Adjustment

Simon968

Simon968

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My local MOT tester adjusted one of my headlamps whilst doing the MOT this year as he said it was too high.
He asked if oncoming cars had been flashing me, which they hadn't, however since the test I have been flashed quite often.
Tonight I noticed that me car appears cross eyed with the left headlight, that was adjusted, lower than the right and also pointing towards the right.
I have seen posts before which suggest that VCDS is required to adjust the lights, but I don't get why that should be as there are no sensors on the lights only the stepper motors and the manual adjusters are independent of these.
So my question is, can I break out the Allen keys and put my headlight right?
 
I would go back to the mot centre and ask different person to look into that and adjust correctly, if needed at no cost.
Was it long ago the mot?
 
It was only a couple of weeks ago and I noticed almost immediately that I was being flashed by other drivers. Tonight I had the car facing a wall and noticed that it appeared cross eyed. I can line the lights up myself if it just needs Allen keys, but not if VCDS really is needed.
 
If you can see the adjustment screws and you know to which level need to be done, go ahead.

I would still go to the mot centre and made them to do it. They have all machines and other person could've do it properly at no cost. Maybe they can give you % off for the next mot or service, as a gesture?
 
The MOT tester is a mate anyway and I already get a discount of the tests.
I can adjust it myself, but just wanted to check about the use of VCDS as I can't see why it would be required other than maybe to carry out basic setting of the motor position before manual adjustment.
I can get the level from the other headlight and adjust the aim back over to the left by putting a mark on my garage door where the centre of the light actually is.

How are your new bulbs settling in?
Are they still nice and bright?
 
I may be wrong, but headlamps shouldn't be adjusted by vscd's.
Mot tester's already have loads points to tick and that would add on few more for them.
Imagine them have to buy additional equipment for testing, which "for these purposes" would be more expensive for them. That could increase the mot price.

My bulbs are fine, I think.
Was driving next to merc's and audi's in newer shapes and they weren't that bright or crisp in colour as theirs but it was obvious as they have led's.
The output I think is good, as it was on the beginning.
When driving behind a white van yesterday, I saw a reflection of the headlamp in he's rear panels and was pleased with much whiter light and definitely better light output when driving in the dark.
Will try to take few pictures as they should settle now.
 
I've now checked with my indie and he says that VCDS is required, otherwise the lights go back to where they were before you started.
He is going to sort it for me on Monday and stop the car looking like Clarence the cross eyed lion.
I think I also need to look for some new bulbs too.
 
Surprised you need the vcds to sort out vertical adjustment unless you have the cornering headlamps.

If you want new bulbs, I was after Philips Xtreme vision at first. Got recommended the Osram Xernac CBI however as I was also after cooler temperature. Philips one's are not as crisp and Xernac's, apparently but offer further distance light output.
 
Apparently, my drivers side headlight, which was not altered at the last MOT, will not respond to any attempts at manual adjustment, either up/down or left right. Fortunately, the aim is not too far away from where it should be.
Has anyone else had this issue?
I don't think it can have popped off the ball joints as it doesn't flap about and moves up and down when the lights first switch on.

The passenger side has now been correctly aligned.
 
Probbably you need to get the lamp out and get it checked properly.

Took some pictures of the light output and some pattern my bulbs are now making.

Think it is fine but already looking for something new, brighter, reaching further and crisp looking, cooler colour.
 
Headlight out requires bumper removal, so that can wait for warmer weather!
The garage last night commented that the passenger light was quite a bit brighter than the drivers side, so a new pair of bulbs will also be in order. Where did you get your CBIs from?
I've seen them on eBay from £70 for a pair or £100 for a pair on Amazon.
 
Look's like someone want to go cheapskate before you and replaced one bulb only.

eBay I got them from. Paid £80 for a pair

Make sure, their with ballasts. Always a fresh piece
 
I have a receipt for warranty work from Audi when the car was just under 3 years old. The passenger headlight was replaced, so that would probably account for the difference I suppose.

I thought that the D3S bulbs only came with the ballast attached?
 
No, You can buy the glass part on it's own but get it as set to be sure
 
Got my new bulbs ready to go in.
Anyone know of any pictures on the innards of one of these headlights so that I can try to work out why the drivers side won't adjust manually?
 
Fitted the new bulbs yesterday and had a look inside the drivers side lamp.
Turning the white adjusters with an allen key does not have any effect inside the lamp. I think something must be broken at the bottom of the hex screw, but I am not sure if that is fixable.
 
VCDS is required to adjust the xenon headlights due to them being self leveling. If you adjust them without putting them into service mode they will throw up and error saying the leveling is defective. Car lights need adjusting then VCDS has to be used to make the car learn the new positions (I did mine early this week)
 
audi upgrades
I know that VCDS is required, but that does not alter the fact that my adjusters on the drivers side light do not move anything inside the light.
 
Sorry didn't see your last post, my old A4 had a similar issue and basically the projector inside the light had become unattached from the adjuster screw.

Does the projector feel loose? On my A4 it just clipped back into place with a gentle bit of pressure
 
No problem.
No, nothing is loose. The lamp does its up/down thing when first switched on.
I've had the cap off the back of the lamp and I can see the parts which should move when the white adjusters are turned, but nothing happens.
Something has come adrift between the white hexagon and what I guess must be a bevel gear at its bottom, but I don't think that is visible without some major dismantling.
 
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