I need to replace the nearside headlight, I have ordered one but my question is that if it comes set to for argument sake height 3 (angled down) and my car is currently set to 0 (angled straight forward) would I need to do anything to make them match?

Would turning the dial to 4 then back to 0 level them out so they are bot at the same angle setting?  
 

Would taking the working offside light set to 0 out then fitting the new nearside one, then turning the dial a few times to 4 then 0 work so that they are both set to 0 then connect the offside again? 
 

Sorry if this makes no sense, asked the main dealer and got the “dealer will need to adjust them” 

Thanks

 

2 hours ago, Kris-Heaps said:

 

I need to replace the nearside headlight, I have ordered one but my question is that if it comes set to for argument sake height 3 (angled down) and my car is currently set to 0 (angled straight forward) would I need to do anything to make them match?

Would turning the dial to 4 then back to 0 level them out so they are bot at the same angle setting?  
 

Would taking the working offside light set to 0 out then fitting the new nearside one, then turning the dial a few times to 4 then 0 work so that they are both set to 0 then connect the offside again? 
 

Sorry if this makes no sense, asked the main dealer and got the “dealer will need to adjust them” 

Thanks

 

The light should self set to whatever the switch in the car is set to, when the ignition is switched on after the light is changed.

However, you should really take the car to a local MOT testing station to check the new light is correctly set up, so that you are not dazzling other drivers.

2 hours ago, Alan G H said:

The light should self set to whatever the switch in the car is set to, when the ignition is switched on after the light is changed.

However, you should really take the car to a local MOT testing station to check the new light is correctly set up, so that you are not dazzling other drivers.

Thats good news then, thanks for your help.  My MOT is next week anyway so I’ll get them to check if before the MOT,

Thanks again

Worst case scenario is that you try and level it manually if they don't align properly.  After that the motors will work together so they can be adjusted from the knob and be in sync.

1 hour ago, lilbleh said:

Worst case scenario is that you try and level it manually if they don't align properly. 

Interesting, how do you adjust the motor height setting manually?

6 hours ago, StephenFord said:

Interesting, how do you adjust the motor height setting manually?

There are setting adjusters on the headlights to do the initial set up, at least there are on ordinary halogen lights!

This is an interesting question and not one I know the answer to, was hoping for an electronics expect to answer.  I'm not sure if these light motors work on a permanent voltage or a changing voltage.

If it's a permanent voltage, they will just move to the desired position when powered, regardless of the previous position.

But if they work on a changing voltage, they may just move one step down each time the switch is turned, never synchronising.

23 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

This is an interesting question...

Indeed, one I'm sure would not be properly solved by a simple manual adjustment of the vertical axis screw on the main headlight...

EDIT

Actually, just had a thought. Last year I replaced one of my headlights, never gave a thought to the adjustment, but car passed an alignment test on MOT, so it must have just set them properly on installation.

8 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

Indeed, one I'm sure would not be properly solved by a simple manual adjustment of the vertical screw on the main headlight...

EDIT

Actually,just had a thought.Last year I replaced one of my headlights, never gave a thought to the adjustment, but car passed an alignment test on MOT, so it must have just set them properly on installation.

I don't think many people move the adjusters when driving, so used headlights are probably mostly set to the same original setting anyway.

6 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

I don't think many people move the adjusters when driving, so used headlights are probably mostly set to the same original setting anyway.

Maybe the OP will get lucky too then with his replacement 😀

On 10/25/2024 at 2:02 PM, StephenFord said:

Interesting, how do you adjust the motor height setting manually?

On the image you can see a little yellowish white round thing.  You need to insert the appropriate sized allen key and turn it clock-wise or counter clock-wise to set it manually.  Every headlamp will come with this option whether it has the motor or not.  Good luck!

5 hours ago, lilbleh said:

On the image you can see a little yellowish white round thing.  You need to insert the appropriate sized allen key and turn it clock-wise or counter clock-wise to set it manually.  Every headlamp will come with this option whether it has the motor or not.  Good luck!

All headlights can be adjusted vertically and horizontally. I was asking how you adjusted the 'load' vertical motor manually...

22 hours ago, StephenFord said:

All headlights can be adjusted vertically and horizontally. I was asking how you adjusted the 'load' vertical motor manually...

The load motor will probably not need to be adjusted.  they are fixed such that you adjust them from the knob.  What you need to do is basically adjust the level to align and leave the "up and down" motor movements to the motors itself.