Headlamp dip problem - £1000 to fix???!!

[Trups]

Does Trups not sell a modification kit?

Im pretty sure I stumbled across it while looking for something else

I sell parts to make the projectors work better, if the bowl is shot which for the age of the car they may be I can supply new projectors but if the mounts and self level are not working correctly then you would be wasting your time with upgrades.

[Jonno1888]

Many thanks indeed for all the great advice guys, and sorry for late reply, bad form when starting a thread I know!

I am in Cambridge, if anyone can help. In my case its mainly the right hand light which is severely dipped. The left looks also a bit down, but really driving without full beam in the dark is not a safe thing to do.

I am not particulary technically minded. I'd certainly have a go at trying to fix it, and when I bought it I noticed the dipped beam fault light on the dash, and the guy said he took it to a garage but the chap couldnt quite get his hand inside to reach it, so I am not sure how likely it is that I can fix it.

I just cant think that there isnt a way to jack the headlamp up a bit

Any advice on where I could go in the area would be really appreciated

thanks again
Jonno

[kwalker705]

I wonder if drill it, and cut a deep cross into it with a dremel so it opens up when you wind a screw in. Probably more likely to fark it up totally lol.

I like your idea of using a spring pin though, I think I'll give that a go first.

I couldn't find any gears on eBay, although I might not be using the right words. Hmmm. Cheers bud

I'm abroad just now so cant look at my headlights for reference. Is there any way the knurled shaft could have a slot cut in the very end with a dremel tool or something similar to make it like a screw head that you would use a flat screwdriver in. Then the shaft could be rotated with a flat headed screwdriver to provide any adjustments by hand .

[Shoppinit]

when I bought it I noticed the dipped beam fault light on the dash, and the guy said he took it to a garage but the chap couldnt quite get his hand inside to reach it

Translation: This problem is too difficult / expensive to fix so I'll just downplay it when I sell the car.

What is on the Audi quote?

The headlights can be adjusted very easily indeed. The problem is that you've got a warning light on the dash so that needs to be addressed.

This is briefly what you need to do:

1. Check the physical integrity of the 2 level sensors, 1 front one rear. See the Bilstein installation thread for a pic of what you're looking for.
2. Check the voltage output from the level sensors. IIRC it ranges from 0 to 5V with 2.5V being "level" or mid-range. Manually change the range and check the voltage. You can do this with the vagcom.
3. Put the car in headlight adjustment mode with the vagcom
4. Adjust the headlights in the usual way
5. Learn the position with the vagcom

[amanda1]

The head light adjusters are sold by audi for less than £5............wv ones are similar also

[Shoppinit]

I wonder if these gears would fit. They look very similar:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jaguar-S-type ... 1224115987

[pete62]

The head light adjusters are sold by audi for less than £5............wv ones are similar also

Which bits does one get ?

For what it's worth I bought some old headlights with broken adjusters, one had already been drilled and a split pin inserted. The other was just devoid of the plastic cogs. They were both locked solid but a good dose of wd40 and they both were easy to turn with pliers.

[SuprSi]

Cheers for all the info, I reckon that kit would work Shopp, good spot. If Amanda knows the part to get from Audi I could pick some up locally, otherwise I'll order those.

Pete, mine's got a bodge on one of them where they've wound a small nut onto the shaft, that seems to work quite well but wouldn't be any good for the side adjusters.

[Shoppinit]

Pretty sure you won't get any joy from Audi.

[Trups]

You also have to be carful that the part inside the headlight where that adjustment tab locks to ain't broke, the chrome reflector can become brittle and snap the mount and then it's either a fix which is temp or a new headlight.

Si, when you have some lights apart I will need to talk to you about the setup I sent you, when I said about changing the shield I have a really easy way to do it which will save you bags of time and risk of damaging the new projectors.

[SuprSi]

Si, when you have some lights apart I will need to talk to you about the setup I sent you, when I said about changing the shield I have a really easy way to do it which will save you bags of time and risk of damaging the new projectors.

Nice one, thanks mate!
By the way have you had any luck with those new sidelight lamps you were telling me about?

[Trups]

Yep, will be here by the end of the month so will drop you a line.

[Jay_g]

Question for you all them. My xenons seem to jump/skip up and down very quickly when I'm driving along, often see it on street signs and other cars. Im on coilovers, would that be the reason?

[Shoppinit]

Sounds like the projector's come detached from the adjuster and it's flapping around.

[SuprSi]

Yep, either that or the bottom bolts holding the light in are loose/missing like mine were.