Self leveling problem - too high

frankgoldstar · 18th June 2018, 11:56

I appear to have the reverse of the usual HID self adjustment problem.

When I fixed the non-adjustment recently, which was due to the front level sensors being shot, they started the level dance, when the lights were turned on, So I thought everything was ok.

As it was only last night that I have actually been out in the dark since the sensor fix, I have found out that they go up and stay up.

The front sensor is not inverted, but I do not know if the rear sensor mounting is correct. I have only found photos on the forum of apparently very different setups for the rear sensor, which I take to be MG.

Anybody any thoughts?

Best wished Frank

suzublu · 18th June 2018, 12:03

frankgoldstar · 18th June 2018, 12:47

thanks to suzablu for the illustration. I have seen that during my searches and it seems to imply the sensor arms are correct. I know for certain the front one is.

However, as the self leveling seems to have been inoperative when I bought the car, the thought did cross that the PO might have adjusted the vertical level of the headlamps up to compensate.

The flaw in that thinking is that I have read that the start up test involves the lights going up and down and mine appear to just go up.

I suppose somebody could have swapped two wires over on the DC motor connection to try to compensate for the headlamps pointing down due to the dangly front sensor linkage, but I would have thought that unlikely.

Best wishes, Frank

suzublu · 18th June 2018, 12:58

All lights do the self test on start up, not just self levelling. Perhaps one of the ball & socket connectors has come adrift inside the light housing

Manual adjustment is still possible using the blue cog wheels attached to the units

T-Cut · 18th June 2018, 13:00

Could the manual adjusters (under the bonnet) have been positioned to compensate for the failed auto-levellers? So, with the auto-levellers fixed, the reflectors are now aimed too high. If so, reset the up/down adjuster sprockets after the headlamps have auto-adjusted.

TC

frankgoldstar · 18th June 2018, 14:16

thanks to T-Cut and the others who posted trying to help me out.

As the MOT is due and work commitments mean I will not get much chance to do anything before taking it in, I decided to do something I do not usually do.

I nipped to the local Kwick Fit and asked them to have a look with their beam setter.

I was not about to try to find a level spot in sufficient gloom and chalk marks on walls, especially as I would have to work out which way to adjust the things. I know, make chicken noises. Cluck, cluck.

Kwick Fit shoved it in front of the beam setter, twirled an Allen key on each side and that was it.They were set way too high, probably as noted, in an attempt to compensate for the front sensor dangling in fresh air.

And the manager just said "Merry Christmas" so it cost nowt.

I was so pleased I shoved a tenner in the mechanics paw!

Best wishes, Frank

KWIL · 18th June 2018, 15:28

I have chalk marks on the wall of a local supermarket underground carpark. Can check anytime I am in there as long as I park in the correct slot!!

frankgoldstar · 18th June 2018, 15:53

Kwil, you are a braver man than me.

As I was clueless about the real cause of the "owl spotting headlamps" as one member put it, I decided to chicken out and let somebody do it.

As a bloke who I worked with many years ago said, "if a job is worth doing, it is worth giving to somebody else"!

Best wishes, Frank

T-Cut · 18th June 2018, 21:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankgoldstar

KwikFit shoved it in front of the beam setter, twirled an Allen key on each side and that was it.

Luckily, your blue cogs haven't detached from the adjuster spindle (caused by rusting). I reckon it's a 50/50 chance they'll still work. For anyone else, it's worth putting a dab of penetrating oil on the end.

TC

sewerman · 18th June 2018, 21:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Cut

Luckily, your blue cogs haven't detached from the adjuster spindle (caused by rusting). I reckon it's a 50/50 chance they'll still work. For anyone else, it's worth putting a dab of penetrating oil on the end.

TC

ok if the blue cogs have detached ( like mine ) what's the fix ?

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

18th June 2018, 11:56	#1
frankgoldstar Avid contributor Rover 75 Conny Saloon Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Manchester Posts: 144 Thanks: 16 Thanked 25 Times in 16 Posts	Self leveling problem - too high I appear to have the reverse of the usual HID self adjustment problem. When I fixed the non-adjustment recently, which was due to the front level sensors being shot, they started the level dance, when the lights were turned on, So I thought everything was ok. As it was only last night that I have actually been out in the dark since the sensor fix, I have found out that they go up and stay up. The front sensor is not inverted, but I do not know if the rear sensor mounting is correct. I have only found photos on the forum of apparently very different setups for the rear sensor, which I take to be MG. Anybody any thoughts? Best wished Frank

18th June 2018, 12:47	#3
frankgoldstar Avid contributor Rover 75 Conny Saloon Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Manchester Posts: 144 Thanks: 16 Thanked 25 Times in 16 Posts	HID Headlamps too high thanks to suzablu for the illustration. I have seen that during my searches and it seems to imply the sensor arms are correct. I know for certain the front one is. However, as the self leveling seems to have been inoperative when I bought the car, the thought did cross that the PO might have adjusted the vertical level of the headlamps up to compensate. The flaw in that thinking is that I have read that the start up test involves the lights going up and down and mine appear to just go up. I suppose somebody could have swapped two wires over on the DC motor connection to try to compensate for the headlamps pointing down due to the dangly front sensor linkage, but I would have thought that unlikely. Best wishes, Frank

18th June 2018, 14:16	#6
frankgoldstar Avid contributor Rover 75 Conny Saloon Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Manchester Posts: 144 Thanks: 16 Thanked 25 Times in 16 Posts	HID headlamp aim sorted thanks to T-Cut and the others who posted trying to help me out. As the MOT is due and work commitments mean I will not get much chance to do anything before taking it in, I decided to do something I do not usually do. I nipped to the local Kwick Fit and asked them to have a look with their beam setter. I was not about to try to find a level spot in sufficient gloom and chalk marks on walls, especially as I would have to work out which way to adjust the things. I know, make chicken noises. Cluck, cluck. Kwick Fit shoved it in front of the beam setter, twirled an Allen key on each side and that was it.They were set way too high, probably as noted, in an attempt to compensate for the front sensor dangling in fresh air. And the manager just said "Merry Christmas" so it cost nowt. I was so pleased I shoved a tenner in the mechanics paw! Best wishes, Frank

18th June 2018, 15:53	#8
frankgoldstar Avid contributor Rover 75 Conny Saloon Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Manchester Posts: 144 Thanks: 16 Thanked 25 Times in 16 Posts	Chalk marks Kwil, you are a braver man than me. As I was clueless about the real cause of the "owl spotting headlamps" as one member put it, I decided to chicken out and let somebody do it. As a bloke who I worked with many years ago said, "if a job is worth doing, it is worth giving to somebody else"! Best wishes, Frank

18th June 2018, 12:03	#2
suzublu This is my second home rover 75 1.8 vvc club se wedgwood blue Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seaton Carew Posts: 26,912 Thanks: 65 Thanked 7,142 Times in 4,642 Posts

18th June 2018, 12:58	#4
suzublu This is my second home rover 75 1.8 vvc club se wedgwood blue Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seaton Carew Posts: 26,912 Thanks: 65 Thanked 7,142 Times in 4,642 Posts	All lights do the self test on start up, not just self levelling. Perhaps one of the ball & socket connectors has come adrift inside the light housing Manual adjustment is still possible using the blue cog wheels attached to the units

18th June 2018, 13:00	#5
T-Cut This is my second home Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sumweer onat mote o'dust (Sagin) Posts: 21,752 Thanks: 341 Thanked 3,660 Times in 2,924 Posts	Could the manual adjusters (under the bonnet) have been positioned to compensate for the failed auto-levellers? So, with the auto-levellers fixed, the reflectors are now aimed too high. If so, reset the up/down adjuster sprockets after the headlamps have auto-adjusted. TC

18th June 2018, 15:28	#7
KWIL Precise Rover 75 Tourer 2.5KV6 Connoisseur SE Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Fleet Posts: 2,952 Thanks: 630 Thanked 617 Times in 480 Posts	I have chalk marks on the wall of a local supermarket underground carpark. Can check anytime I am in there as long as I park in the correct slot!!