Xenon - inner silver unit loose

[guysy]

Cars passed its MOT so I took out the sidelights that where put in for the MOT.

When I took the drivers side out I noticed the main silver reflector part is lose and can be wobbled up and down, meaning the edge of the silver xenon surround is resting on the floor of the light unit if you can understand what I mean.

I've just looked through the MOT history this morning and seen that a previous fail was 'O/S Headlight beam too high' then a new adjuster was invoiced and 'realign beam to pass'.

It does look like the adjuster motor is new on the drivers side, but the whole unit is loose and should be sitting 3 or 4mm higher than it is, Is there a fix for this? Im hoping they haven't just snapped something to make the unit sit lower like it is.

I will do some searching when home.

 

[Rhys Beal]

Are you just referring to the xenon unit inside the light unit that is sitting down?

If so then it will be either a broken arm from the adjuster or that is is not connected. It's a socket and ball type connection

 

[guysy]

Yeah thats it, just done a quick search on the phone and I see now, The adjuster unit looks new, so the light will have to come out for me to see whats going on yeah, If the adjuster is broken again does it need a new one or is this little white part available seperately?

Is there a guide somewhere with pics?

 

[Rhys Beal]

Yeah thats it, just done a quick search on the phone and I see now, The adjuster unit looks new, so the light will have to come out for me to see whats going on yeah, If the adjuster is broken again does it need a new one or is this little white part available seperately?

Is there a guide somewhere with pics?

Not sure about a guide but you can do it with the light in situ. They are a pain and you have to be careful with them as it will break quite easily. Best to use and little lube on the ball to help it in. I also wrapped a piece of cotton around the end of the shaft to pull it straight in once it was aligned, otherwise the stem bends as you pull it.

You will need a whole new adjuster, ebay is your friend or I have one for £5. PM me if you need one

 

[guysy]

Got home and just whipped the light off, the adjuster is attached but the ball is at least 3mm below even wanting to support the reflector unit, so if I wind the beam up until its supported but not higher I guess that will be right? I'll try it

 

[Rhys Beal]

Got home and just whipped the light off, the adjuster is attached but the ball is at least 3mm below even wanting to support the reflector unit, so if I wind the beam up until its supported but not higher I guess that will be right? I'll try it

Give it a go and let us know

 

[guysy]

The adjuster seems to be still attached, taken the light out, seems the ball that lifts the reflector is at least 3mm from
Just supporting the unit, is the adjuster electric? I.e I need to plug the light on after each adjust to see?



EDIT: re wrote that didn't think the last post worked

 

[Rhys Beal]

That looks different to mine I think...

The adjuster is operated by an allen key but also has a plug in it. Never knew what the plug did tbh!

 

[guysy]

Found the insides are broken, theres a ball clip dead in the center if I could get it to clip back in it would be fine, but also out of the 4 small bolts that hold
The xenon surround on, 2 of the stems are broken need a new unit I think, never had anyone flash me, guess because there really low and not high.

 

[Rhys Beal]

That's unfortunate, although single units are available cheaply, I just bought one for £47 the other day

 

[guysy]

Well that was fun ! :dead:

The drivers light as said the silver inner insert was resting on the grey plastic at the bottom of the light, the passengers was fine and sitting 4mm in the air like normal.

The adjuster was sitting in fine, eventually i saw that dead in the middle of the light was a ball socket in plastic to let the light point any way up down left right etc, this had popped out probably when the adjuster was changed.

I couldnt get it in with the bulbs taken out using my fingers to pressure it back, eventually I took the adjuster off, that released the pressure and the ball popped back into place :approve:

The reflector then sat how it should, I adjusted the adjuster do i could fit it back on without the ball thingy popping out again and put it back on the car.

Pics for anyone who might have the problem in future, or cares

Drivers facked:

Passengers how it should be:

Adjuster attached so not that:

What was unclipped and causing the problem:

Fixed:

Cant believe its taken me a year to spot it, but now its fixed im happy. The only problem with the unit is one of the plastic supports at the back of the cluster is broken, but a syringe and superglue will fix that some time.

Who can I take it to to have the beams adjusted? The right side was nearly at the top of the garage before, I think this is ok now adjusted?

 

[Rhys Beal]

Glad you have it sorted! Best place is your local mot station