How to adjust - Failed MOT on headlight alignment (Xenons) W210 E320

[ringo_notts]

Hi,

My 2001 E class estate failed its MOT on headlight alignment. They are too low apparently.

Does anyone know how to adjust them please?

Thanks,

Ringo

 

[markjay]

Xenons are auto-levelling, I believe the sensor/switch is somewhere in the front suspension. Others may know here exactly it is located on your car. It if fails than you may be lucky and it will be only a plug/contacts issue, otherwise a new one is required.

 

[markjay]

It might this one:

REGULATION OF DYNAMIC HEADLAMP RANGE CONTROL, FRONT

And there some pictures here:

http://www.bildelsbasen.se/?index=default&link=list&searchmode=3&query=0105427517

 

[corned]

There are a number of questions to ask you before we can offer a diagnosis.

Firstly, are your xenons the original factory fit equipment, identified by the little curtsey routine which they do on startup, and the washer system?

If yes to that, are they still doing that little curtsey routine on startup?

The reason I ask is that if they are proper factory xenons then what Markjay has posted will be what you need to look at. If not, then the kit mentioned won't be there to start with so it will not be any help to you.

Plenty of owners have the pukka factory kit, but plenty also have aftermarket ones, or just believe (or were told by the previous owner perhaps) that the blue halogen lamps they have are in fact xenons.

Just trying to prevent a mis-diagnosis!

 

[ringo_notts]

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, i believe they are factory fitted. The car has the washer system.

What is the curtsey routine? They kind of come on all dim then get brighter.

If they are self levelling, then i suppose something else could be wrong (and yes, lets hope its just a contact!) ?

Thanks a lot...

Ringo

 

[markjay]

HIDs (Xenons) take a second to reach full brightness, hence the initial dim light. That's also why Bi-Xenon lights still have normal halogen bulbs for flashing.

All cars factory-fitted with Xenons will be auto-levelling. You will note that you do not have the headlamps height adjustment thumb-wheel next to the light switch.

 

[renault12ts]

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, i believe they are factory fitted. The car has the washer system.

What is the curtsey routine? They kind of come on all dim then get brighter.

If they are self levelling, then i suppose something else could be wrong (and yes, lets hope its just a contact!) ?

Thanks a lot...

Ringo

They are too low because the link on the back axle is broken. Look under the off side of the car ahead of the rear wheel and you will see the bar hanging loose. The part is about £12, or cobble it together like I did with a nut and bolt.

 

[markjay]

They are too low because the link on the back axle is broken. Look under the off side of the car ahead of the rear wheel and you will see the bar hanging loose. The part is about £12, or cobble it together like I did with a nut and bolt.

Well, that's sounds like a much better idea than buying the whole thing new...

 

[ringo_notts]

Thanks guys - i will take a look tomorrow at the back axle and see if i can find anything.

Ringo

 

[BlackC55]

Check the front sensor too.

 

[ringo_notts]

Well, i have put it on ramps and found the said sensor on the rear axle. It is working fine. I disconnected the lever from the axle and the headlights move as the lever is adjusted. So im guessing thats working fine.

Where is the front sensor? I need to check that next.

Sorry to keep asking questions - but as a complete newbie i don't even know how to find these things out. (I bought a copy of WIS on ebay but i cant get any decent information out of it).

At the end of the day i could always completely bodge it and extend the lever on the rear axle to raise the headlights a bit so it passes its MOT - but i'd rather sort this properly...

Thanks,

Ringo

 

[corned]

If the lamp units are moving when you wiggle the rear sensor arm, then the motors are working OK - that's a relief!

The front sensor arm should be somewhat similar to the rear one. Look on the O/S strut and you should see a little arm with an actuator on the end.

I'll see if I can point you to a piccie.

 

[corned]

This post of mine is looking at my 211 front strut. The headlamp levelling sensor arm is at the top right, in front of the strut. The 210 strut is different, but the headlamp control arm will be similar.

 

[andy27168]

When you intially turn the headlights on, they should perform a test of the levelling system by raising and lowering themselves.
As long as both your headlights do this you can simply adjust the headlight beams as if they were a normal headlight.

 

[ringo_notts]

This post of mine is looking at my 211 front strut. The headlamp levelling sensor arm is at the top right, in front of the strut. The 210 strut is different, but the headlamp control arm will be similar.

Awesome! Thanks loads.

I'll take a look now.

Thanks for the lighting quick response - it will be nice if i can get this sorted today!

Ringo

 

[ringo_notts]

When you intially turn the headlights on, they should perform a test of the levelling system by raising and lowering themselves.

OK, not sure they do this - i'll take a look.

As long as both your headlights do this you can simply adjust the headlight beams as if they were a normal headlight.

Cool. How - using the motors?

Thanks,

Ringo

 

[renault12ts]

OK, not sure they do this - i'll take a look.



Cool. How - using the motors?

Thanks,

Ringo

No...the adjusters above each lamp.

 

[andy27168]

The headlights will each have there own adjustment screws, if there the same as the 202 there will be a couple of grey hexagonal plastic adjustment screws on the back of the headlight, they will have a cross head screwdriver slot in the end, someone with a bit more knowledge of the 210 could confirm this, but if not it should give you an idea of what you are looking for.
To be honest i would be inclined to get the MOT station to adjust them for you, as they have the proper optical test equipment, not sure why they did,nt offer, i have had 5-6 cars that would of failled the MOT on headlight alignment, Inc. one of my 202's, they showed me they were a bit low and just got on did it for me, none have never charged though i would give the tester a "tip"

 

[ringo_notts]

Thanks - i'll take a look now.

To be honest i would be inclined to get the MOT station to adjust them for you, as they have the proper optical test equipment, not sure why they did,nt offer, i have had 5-6 cars that would of failled the MOT on headlight alignment, Inc. one of my 202's, they showed me they were a bit low and just got on did it for me, none have never charged though i would give the tester a "tip"

Yes - my MOT guy would have done but he has no idea of mercedes and didnt know if you adjusted it by the motors or not.
I take all my cars to the local council MOT station. They are not allowed to do any repairs to the car - hence they never fail it for stuff unless its legitimate. So to be fair to the guy, he's not car mechanic - just a friendly MOT tester.

Cheers,

Ringo

 

[ringo_notts]

Well, no luck really.

The front sensor will involve me taking the undertray off - and im not able to do that at the moment.

When the lights switch on there doesnt appear to be a movement of up and down.

Theres not much room behind the lights but i could'nt see anything to adjust the lamps with - do i have to remove the plastics behind the lamps to get access?

The only things l could see are in this photo - but turning them didnt seem to move the height of the beam.

Appreciate your help on this....

Ringo