Xenon light alignment

[scumbag]

Whilst racing round the island I appear to get a number of cars flashing at me.

It is not speed trap warnings.

I am not mistaking the cars that go over the bumps.

I am taking the car in on Friday for the service department to check as my belief is that it is over dramatic islanders who flash at all cars with Xenons. Being honest the quality of drivers over here is pretty abysmal and there are not a huge number of street lights. If this was anywhere in the UK is would have the entire coast road lit. (Makes for good star gazing tho)

Has anyone had any alignment issues with thier Xenon lamps?

VAG group cars Xenons default to very low down when the sensor fails so the height adjustment drops them. Just wondering is it was finger trouble at the Factory, or maybe a lose connection but would like to hear if it is unique or if it seems a number of cars have suffered.

The beam looks good, and does not appear to be aimed to high, but eyesight and proper equipment may not be compatible.

 

[whitenemesis]

Yep, MB xenons will drop to very low if a sensor fails (or is not reconnected, as in my recent case!!)

Do yo hear (or see) the lights "dance" at ignition on? This is the lights setting to level. When on dipped beam does the very sharp cut-off to the near side look horizontal?

Beam adjustment is automatic but needs to have the zero position set via STAR, perhaps this has been poorly done, or prhaps a sensor has moved (they can go over-centre if knocked)?

I've never been flashed by oncomming drivers

 

[Druk]

At it's recent MOT the tester remarked (and readjusted) on the low setting of my Xenons. They hadn't been touched since the previous year and the tester did say he thought speed bumps played their part. They appear to be working properly in all other respects including the 'dance'. Would it be worthwhile getting them reset to default on Star?

 

[whitenemesis]

Thanks Druk you make a good point there. Of course the mechanical adjustment needs to be checked and correct first. So that's the adjusting bolts, top and side, on each unit. These will set the correct horizontal angle and then the sensors and STAR will control the verical adjustment.

 

[Smiley]

I have the same thing driving a bmw 3 series with xenons. I think there are a number of drivers who find the light just too bright and piercing even when correctly adjusted - so they flash out of irritation. My feeling is that it is older folk that suffer most with this from comments I have heard - maybe the eyes become more sensitive with age?

 

[lynall]

Park it 20 feet from a wall at night lift the bonnet and see which screw adjusts the up and down, and adjust them it really is that simple.
Just count the turns so you can turn back to where it was if you are not happy. wont take much more than 1/2 a turn.





Lynall

 

[scumbag]

They dance ok. and look ok.

they could be out of adjustment but again with them being Auto height adjusted, best of having them checked for alignment. It may be that they have been set for left hand drive. Not they they should be , but some people domake the odd mistake here and there.


will see what the dealer says when they get to look at it.

Personnaly, I think is the old duffers round here who moan about everything, but am making sure

 

[scumbag]

well, despite both me and the dealer being 100% certain it was the over dramatic islanders, turns out they were out of alignment.

the off side was set for Johnny Foreigner. They were quite applogetic as they think they missed it as part of the PDi even though they ticked the sheet saying they had checked it.

never mind. these things happen.


car averaging 15.9mpg since I got it.

 

[timk]

well, despite both me and the dealer being 100% certain it was the over dramatic islanders, turns out they were out of alignment.

the off side was set for Johnny Foreigner. They were quite applogetic as they think they missed it as part of the PDi even though they ticked the sheet saying they had checked it.

never mind. these things happen.


car averaging 15.9mpg since I got it.

15.9mpg - isn't there a 35mph limit on Guernsey?!? Your right foot must be suffering from involuntary spasm syndrome

 

[johny5_uk]

I thought xenons auto raised and lowered when going up and down bumps/hills? My e350 coupe's lights dance around at the start and also move left/right when cornering but i dont see them lifting higher and lower on hills etc, is this normal?

 

[whitenemesis]

Xenons only adjust for changes in the cars front / rear attitude. As in when you load the boot, or carry more passengers. They cannot compensate for hills but do try and react to speed bumps etc. as the car's attitude will change as it goes over the bump. They also adjust during acceleration and braking. Update speed is approx 5x quicker than during steady state driving

 

[scumbag]

15.9mpg - isn't there a 35mph limit on Guernsey?!?

well you have to try the car a bit. it has only done 538miles so is still being run in.