xenon beam

polo16vv · Post by **polo16vv** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 12:08 am

the beam off the xenons seem to be pointing on the ground more after i lowered it. is there any way of getting them up apart from raising the front.

mk4 glx 1.6 · Post by **mk4 glx 1.6** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 9:21 am

Yes, by using the adjuster screw.

It is best to do it when dark, with the lights on, facing a wall or garage door so that you can see the existing light output level and how much you are adjusting it by.

I don't have a direct picture of the adjuster screw, so will have to improvise. Ignore the indicator stalk cirled in red in the following pic. On the right of this you should be able to see some writing "zu" and "auf". Look directly above this and there is a semi circle cut out of the edge of the plastic headlight cover. This is where the adjuster screw is located.

From memory you just need a Philips/no. 2 pozidrive to turn it. "Auf" is german for "up", so turn the screw in that direction and you should see the light output level rise.

I hope this helps.

Si_GTi · Post by **Si_GTi** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 1:58 pm

If you can't get the level of adjustment you want just by using the screw, you might have to take it to your local dealership/specialist who can use their computer to sort it out. That's what I have had done with mine after lowering 60mm - cost will usually be a half hour's labour charge

mk4 glx 1.6 · Post by **mk4 glx 1.6** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:53 pm

Si, did VW give you any technical data, such as before and after readings of the light output range? Or was it just "there you go, all done". I'm not saying they should have done, I am just interested.....

Si_GTi · Post by **Si_GTi** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 5:45 pm

They just said, "there you go all done"

I could certainly notice the difference when travelling home from work this evening compared to yesterday evening. The spread of light on the road in front of the car was far reduced after lowering but before adjustment.

One thing I did notice tonight whilst cruising home along a straight residential road, was that due to the stiffer springs the spread of light pitches up and down a little as the front of the car travels over bumps and wondered how much this might effect the driver in front - if my xenon lights are bobbing up and down in his or her rear-view mirror is it a distraction to them which could take their attention off the road ahead?

olop_chris · Post by **olop_chris** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 6:50 pm

I just tried the DIY headlight adjust mission, never knew there was a limit....so it was rising...then dropped and wont come back up, hmmm its not that drastic though...I guess a trip to VW is in order

J-GTi · Post by **J-GTi** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 6:57 pm

olop_chris wrote:I just tried the DIY headlight adjust mission, never knew there was a limit....so it was rising...then dropped and wont come back up, hmmm its not that drastic though...I guess a trip to VW is in order

Thats the same thing that happened to mine and i was told I might need a new headlight!!!

Guess i'll have to try VW first and get there opinion

Ant_43 · Post by **Ant_43** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 8:20 pm

Si_GTi:

My lights do that bobbing up and down thing, sometimes they almost seem to flicker, say when driving over gravel. And a few people have mentioned to me that when driving in front it is noticeable and that it looks as if i'm flashing the full beam sometimes! Whoops!

I guess its a good reason to overtake them then?

ModifiedMadness · Post by **ModifiedMadness** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 8:36 pm

Si_GTi wrote: if my xenon lights are bobbing up and down in his or her rear-view mirror is it a distraction to them which could take their attention off the road ahead?

So long as they don't make you have an accident, don't worry Si

Look at it this way, it's no worse than having a Range Rover, Touareg, X5 etc behind you with Xenons which are directly in your mirror the whole time they're behind you

Dangerous Dave · Post by **Dangerous Dave** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 8:40 pm

If you know someone with vagcom you can use this to set the headlight height takes about 10mins tops, you basically use it to set a new height for it to autolevel on.

I think if you don't use vagcom when you manually adjust them with the screw it then auto levels them again to the same level they were on before the screw was moved not 100% certain on that one though.

Si_GTi · Post by **Si_GTi** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 10:20 pm

Excellent. I wasn't sure if vagcom could do the job but thats good news thanks Dave

olop_chris · Post by **olop_chris** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 10:31 pm

Does anyone have VAG COM around the Midlands?

way_z · Post by **way_z** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 7:48 am

very useful topic guys... just thought i'd add that the self-levelling sensors myth is apparently true! on a recent visit to VW while they were working on my car I asked them to adjust the level of the xenons as they were too high.. since it was a diy upgrade and not a factory fit, i don't have the sensors to do this and said it would be costly to correct!

the sensors are supposed to be on both axles, would anyone know the parts number for these and where they are exactly.. got a friend who's pretty adapt with these kinda things and loves a challenge!

about vag.com, can i not still adjust the level of the beam with it and turn the autolevel off? anyone got vag.com in the london/essex area willing to help me out cuz its becoming a real nuisance and everytime i go to VW and tell them how to fix it, they get offended as if im telling them how to do their job and tell me otherwise quoting ridiculous prices!?

Dangerous Dave · Post by **Dangerous Dave** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 10:53 am

way_z wrote: about vag.com, can i not still adjust the level of the beam with it and turn the autolevel off? anyone got vag.com in the london/essex area willing to help me out cuz its becoming a real nuisance and everytime i go to VW and tell them how to fix it, they get offended as if im telling them how to do their job and tell me otherwise quoting ridiculous prices!?

Not sure if it is possible as the Xenons/auto leveling system has a control unit you connect to with vagcom to change the settings I would have thought as yours was a DIY fit this wouldn't be fitted. I know with people retro fitting Xenons to Golfs that you can get a converter cable that allows the lights to be adjusted manually from the control in the cabin like the standard ones.