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Self levelling Xenons too low ? Check this.

Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 2:02 pm
by Nige
I had an issue last week where the self levelling Xenons were pointing too low. There is no adjustment inside the car.

Whilst changing the pads today, I found the culprit. There is an automatic `adjuster` on the driver side front suspension, this must take the ride height into account and set the Xenon`s accordingly. This had become detached from the suspension and was in the lowest position.

Drivers side wheel removed, this sensor should have the arm secured to the arm
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Seen from the back
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The `sprung clip` had lost its spring. 2 Cable ties did the job. Its under no load, so this isn`t a problem. obviously, you could try and bend the clip or buy a new one, but this worked for me.
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Worth a quick look if you are having issues with the Xenon beam height :thumbsup:

Re: Self levelling Xenons too low ? Check this.

Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 2:28 pm
by X5Sport
Very useful tip....and a neat fix too :thumbsup:

For those looking for the OEM part, it could be item 3 here......

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=31&fg=05

Re: Self levelling Xenons too low ? Check this.

Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 2:31 pm
by Nige
[quote=""X5Sport""]For those looking for the OEM part, it could be item 3 here......

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=31&fg=05[/quote]
For those not wanting to bodge you mean...:lol:

Re: Self levelling Xenons too low ? Check this.

Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 2:35 pm
by X5Sport
That's not a bodge job, it looks very good to me :D :thumbsup: At least they won't rust....... :(

If you had used Gaffer Tape, then that might be a bodge job... :oops:

Re: Self levelling Xenons too low ? Check this.

Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 4:38 pm
by pvw10
Mine was found also broken between mot's, bought a new one at about £55.00 from memory ( i now blast wd40 on the moving parts every so often).

One at the front and one at the back as you say for headlight stable position, with the front one gone the lights wont move so much under heavy load like fat people in the back, hard braking etc.

Thats its only purpose to move the lights under load in relation to where there set, get set correctly and the two sensors will maintain same thats all.

Re: Self levelling Xenons too low ? Check this.

Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 4:43 pm
by X5Sport
Was that for the complete sensor, or just the bottom bit?

Re: Self levelling Xenons too low ? Check this.

Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 4:48 pm
by pvw10
Just for the sensor complete with the pivot arm plus the cable, i think its just a potentiometer.
Seemed good value to me.

I have the invoice near if needed part number etc.

Re: Self levelling Xenons too low ? Check this.

Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 4:53 pm
by X5Sport
No, just seemed expensive for the bottom arm bit as in this case is all that should be needed. For the whole assembly I guess it's reasonable in this day and age.. :(

Re: Self levelling Xenons too low ? Check this.

Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 4:57 pm
by pvw10
Yes thats true, you get the sensor and the plastic arm and thats it, the parts after that which this chap needed are another piece to buy.

What made me cringe was it was the plastic arm that had broken on mine, with a piece lost and i had to buy the complete sensor :headbang:

Re: Self levelling Xenons too low ? Check this.

Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 8:30 pm
by PhilT
Just checked mine and the plastic arm has snapped! If its not under any load do you think it will be fixable with epoxy or something, or does it need replacing?

Re: Self levelling Xenons too low ? Check this.

Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 8:43 pm
by pvw10
Its under hardly any load, glue it or add a plate to one side and screw it.

Mine had a part lost otherwise i would have done so. Best you try or buy the whole thing like i had to !