19 replies to this topic

[mcbunny]

where is the adjuster to adjust the beam on the headlight ? i had a grope around but couldnt feel it also where should the be adjusted too as at the mo it light sup about 3 meters infront of the car and thats it mike

[Jase_MK]

If you look inside the wheel arch liner, at the front is a big rubber bung. Open the bung and stick your long tool in there (I think)

[mcbunny]

yet another excuse to get my long tool out ah well so it requires the arch liners out might aswell just wait till my hid's turn up then

[Jase_MK]

No need to take the arch liner out, there is a rubber bung in the liner which you remove and you then have access to the adjuster thingy. Not actually done it myself but watched a mechanic do it on my car. Apparently you have to be careful as you can break the adjuster easily so be gentle and do it slowly slowly.

[mcbunny]

ah ok will give it a go tonight then

[Arnie]

Just did this myself for the MOT. I would suggest removing the headlights, loosening up the adjusters first, replacing and then accessing through the wheel arch liner.

[mcbunny]

my headlight unitsa need moving anyway they are rubbing on the clam a bit

[pugwhizz]

its easier (and probably safer) to remove the headlight - its only 1 bolt and 1 wiring plug. carefull with the adjusters - one of mine was broken and has now been repaired by friction and half a rockshox elastomer.... you can adjusty slightly and pop it back in and just keep adjusting till youre happy

[Alby]

How easy is it to replace the headlights start to finish. Just failed mot on beam pattern. Can all lamps be adjusted?

[fezzasus]

How easy is it to replace the headlights start to finish. Just failed mot on beam pattern. Can all lamps be adjusted?

 

only need to adjust the dipped projector, however it's likely that yours failed because the ball socket has failed.

[Alby]

How easy is it to replace the headlights start to finish. Just failed mot on beam pattern. Can all lamps be adjusted?

  only need to adjust the dipped projector, however it's likely that yours failed because the ball socket has failed.

Mine has failed because the beam direction is towards oncoming traffic as if I have a European lamp fitted. Is there a way I can tell from the outside, print on the bottom maybe? It's the outer bulb that's incorrect.

[fezzasus]

You almost certainly won't have a European headlight fitted, however you can tell very easily. Wait until it's dark and park your car in front of a wall or garage and turn the lights on. a UK projector beam pattern will look like this

 

 

While a European one will be reversed like this:

 

 

You can't simply fit the wrong bulb and change the beam pattern. The headlight projectors are secured to the headlight assembly and they contain a shutter which directs the shape of the beam. The projector mounts will have failed to allow it to point the wrong way (so it's still a UK pattern, but not pointing straight). You'll have to open up and fix

 

 

[Alby]

You almost certainly won't have a European headlight fitted, however you can tell very easily. Wait until it's dark and park your car in front of a wall or garage and turn the lights on. a UK projector beam pattern will look like this

 

 

While a European one will be reversed like this:

 

 

You can't simply fit the wrong bulb and change the beam pattern. The headlight projectors are secured to the headlight assembly and they contain a shutter which directs the shape of the beam. The projector mounts will have failed to allow it to point the wrong way (so it's still a UK pattern, but not pointing straight). You'll have to open up and fix

 

 

 

Thank you

 

Hopefully you can see my attached image which shows the O/S kicking up resulting in MOT fail. So you reckon this could be repairable if taken apart? Im guessing it will be pretty obvious once looked at from behind, but to fix, without trying to sound stupid, is this superglue or something?
 

Attached Files

•  1.jpg   103.02KB   7 downloads

[fezzasus]

Bizarrely, that does very much look like a european spec headlight. Since it's perfectly aimed I can't see how it has ended up at that pattern.

 

The good news for you is that the European ones are worth much more than the UK ones.

 

what's the history of your car, I assume this is the first time you've MOT'ed it?

Edited by fezzasus, 04 April 2017 - 06:48 AM.

[Alby]

Correct. I looked at MOT history and it failed on this before I picked up the car, but was then passed again on the same day (mmmm) I was shown that it passed with no advisory's. I found this out yesterday after first mot. On mot history it also failed on this lamp in 2013. I wouldn't have thought there would be too much of a demand for the European ones...

Thanks for your time btw 

[fezzasus]

This guy might be about to become your best friend. http://www.vx220.org...n-beam-pattern/

Edited by fezzasus, 04 April 2017 - 07:28 AM.

[Alby]

As you can see I have no arrow on the headlamp, however I do have an arrow pointing to the outside of the car on the N/S. Would you agree that this cements I have an European lamp fitted?

Thanks

Attached Files

•  1.jpg   103.97KB   3 downloads

[fezzasus]

Arrow denotes UK spec lamp, lack of arrow denotes europe spec.

Edited by fezzasus, 04 April 2017 - 03:16 PM.

[Alby]

Arrow denotes UK spec lamp, lack of arrow denotes europe spec.

Thank you

[Alby]

This guy might be about to become your best friend. http://www.vx220.org...n-beam-pattern/

Thanks for the link. I read this last night. Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't we after the same thing (UK lamp) or do you mean he might want a spare?