Headlight adjustment?

[dantheram]

evening all,

my gti is due for an MOT but i had to replace the o/s headlight. today i took it to VW specialist who tried to level it up, however, after 5mins or so he said he couldn't do it as the frame/mounting for the headlight was causing it to point up, so much so that adjusting it right down would still leave it as an MOT failure.

Two questions;

I didnt realise that the headlights could be adjusted by inserting an allen key in the top, i recall someone telling me it was a VAGCOM job, is this correct?

I have spent the last hour pulling the carrier forwards and have now wedged it in a position which points the headlight down at least another inch. can anyone else think of a trick or two to bring it correct so it will pass the MOT?

Dan

[dantheram]

just been out and lined up against a wall to see how high my lights actually were. Well, at 15ft the beam on the wall was 2ft off the floor which is no where near eye level (unless your a f*&%ing dwarf), can anyone explain why this is too high in terms of MOT?

Dan

[alexperkins]

It has to be 0.7m up the wall at 10m

The GTI headlights 'ideally' require to be set with vag com, as they auto level out after adjustment - they have to be reset so that their new home position can be learned properly, otherwise itll go all over the place!

MOTs are very specific with the focus of the beam and the pattern - some garages can be rather anal about it being spot on.

[cj_sat69]

i got a headlight problem aswel, i cant adjust them at all, the inside bit is loose so the plastic just moves around in the glass light bit, i think i need to take the whole headlight out and fix it back into place

[alexperkins]

That means a new headlight - its not a repairable part as itll just break again when readjusted

[dantheram]

It has to be 0.7m up the wall at 10m

The GTI headlights 'ideally' require to be set with vag com, as they auto level out after adjustment - they have to be reset so that their new home position can be learned properly, otherwise itll go all over the place!

MOTs are very specific with the focus of the beam and the pattern - some garages can be rather anal about it being spot on.

so if i were to get them adjusted they could revert to their original wrong setting? is there anyway round this?

[alexperkins]

go to a garage that has vag com, or take it to a VW dealership that does MOTs and servicing, and get them to align them for you. Most dealers will do it for like £10, or even free of charge.

[dantheram]

have rang them all and they are all busy. could i not get the MOT people to adjust it before the test then it should be right and subsequently pass before auto levelling?

[alexperkins]

They readjust whenever the ignition is on

[dantheram]

passed MOT, so all is well. Just a f****d sump plug to deal with now.

[alexperkins]

gdgd

[dantheram]

thanks for your help Alex.