65 plate Mondeo Titanium Adaptive LED headlamp problem

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I recently bought a 65 plate Mondeo  Titanium which I later discovered has a nasty problem with the LED headlamps. On reading up on this problem, I found that it's not exactly uncommon in Mondeo Mk5 's with Ford's Adaptive LED headlamps.  Maybe they've become a bit too  smart.....

First of all, I noticed that the headlamp height adjuster has no effect on the height of the headlamps, headlamps on, ignition on, pop out the rotary adjusting knob....nothing  happens.  

Next, I discovered that the low beam on the drivers side just switches itself off - usually after just a few seconds.  Eventually both headlamps will go out. Sometimes they seem to work just fine though, and could stay on for a 15 minute drive with no problems.   As far as I know, the High beams aren't affected by this problem, not so far anyway. These problems occur no matter if the headlamp switch is set to  automatic or  manual.

I've read up on all the posts I can find on various internet sites that mention this problem, and  there are all sorts of theories and solutions offered.  Most of all, I'm resigned to the fact that it will have to go in to a Ford dealership to be properly diagnosed. It's actually not so easy to get a quick visit arranged at this time of year what with staff on holidays, covid contact  'pinged' staff isolating  and all that. Some people suggest that a software download could cure this issue, that would be great, but it  sounds too good to be true.

Others suggest possibly  water  damage around the headlamp control unit plug. And of course, the worst case scenario would be replacing the actual headlamp units which are frighteningly expensive.

 

An OBD scan with a fairly decent scan tool pointed to a short circuit to earth on both headlamps, I was able to clear these faults and the lamps worked OK for a while, but then went off again in the manner described above..

I have no idea where the headlamp control unit would be on these cars, perhaps somewhere inaccessible underneath or behind  the  headlamps  ( front bumper removal etc) 

And I wonder if I do have a faulty headlamp control unit, can these units be replaced with a second hand one or are they coded to the body controller or something like that?  One of my friends  happens to be breaking a Mondeo Titanium and reckons he  has a few of the headlight  parts .

 

Any helpful suggestions from members who have encountered these symptoms before would be of tremendous help and would be greatly appreciated.

 

[gg1234635]

The best place to get some help with this problem is witht he mondeo mk5 uk group on facebook.  Some great people on there and will be more than happy to help you out.  See link below for the group.
I have not heard of this issue itself but i am pretty sure someone in the group will be able to assist.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/693277794183606

I hope this is some help to you.

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Thanks for the advice gg, I'll certainly have a look on there