Help with headlight issue please

[Belfry]

2007 QPV auto RHD
The drivers side low beam has stopped self-levelling. It has set itself to the lowest level and it is pointing too far downwards. The left hand side is working normally.
I’ve checked the low beam fuses and looked for the levelling mechanism on the rear suspension (I couldn’t find it!)
Any ideas of where I should look next please?

 

[CatmanV2]

Well according to the Eurospares diagram it should be there, but I don't see how that will only impact the left. Do they do the self levelling sweep when you turn them on?

C

 

[Ebenezer]

There's a bit that's broken in the levelling mechanism. Emblem spotted it on mine when I first took it in for their excellent Saturday clinic many moons ago.
Normally you have to buy a whole new to solve the problem car but I think I recall that they have made the bit that is broken...
Eb

 

[Belfry]

Well according to the Eurospares diagram it should be there, but I don't see how that will only impact the left. Do they do the self levelling sweep when you turn them on?

C

Only the left hand light self levels when I start the car.

 

[Belfry]

I wonder what to look for on the faulty light? Could there be a broken cog? I'm not sure what mechanism on the light unit changes the height of the beam as part of the self-levelling system?

I might try manually adjusting the right hand beam.

 

[safrane]

If one light is adjusting and the other not it will be either the motor or the ball joint that has come adrift.

There are some recent posts on the same subject and the fault they found... just do a search.

 

[Belfry]

If one light is adjusting and the other not it will be either the motor or the ball joint that has come adrift.

There are some recent posts on the same subject and the fault they found... just do a search.

Thanks for the suggestion. I did see you other replies. I will focus on the motor/balljoint/electrical connection next.
None of the other threads that I've seen let me know whether I need to remove the headlight from the car to do this. Do you know?
Many thanks again.

 

[safrane]

I have not had a QP, but suspect you will need to remove the wheel and wheel arch cover to access the rear of the light

 

[Ebenezer]

There's a bit that's broken in the levelling mechanism. Emblem spotted it on mine when I first took it in for their excellent Saturday clinic many moons ago.
Normally you have to buy a whole new to solve the problem car but I think I recall that they have made the bit that is broken...
Eb

I've just gone through my receipts and in fact Emblem replaced the headlamp level motor. Their full description was
"removed wheel arch liner, removed rear of headlamp, and replaced headlamp level motor. Lubricated creaky lamp pivots"

Hope that helps
Eb

 

[Belfry]

If one light is adjusting and the other not it will be either the motor or the ball joint that has come adrift.

There are some recent posts on the same subject and the fault they found... just do a search.

It was the ball joint! The Hella headlight motor has a ball on the end of a shaft that moved in or out to adjust the headlight level automatically. This had indeed become 'dislocated' from the corresponding socket. Once reconnected everything works fine again.

For anyone in the future with a similar issue, I'm pretty sure that this can be fixed/checked without removing the headlight (which is a pain, and my wife and I spent an hour getting the bloody thing re-fitted. I was in the wheel well and she was at the front of the car).
Just partly remove the front part of the wheel well lining and unclip the 2 clips on the rear of the headlight to reveal the high beam bulb with the Hella motor just below and to the right. 2 small hex screws are all that hold the motor in place.

One of the reasons I love working on my own cars is the sense of achievement when I fix something like this without spending anything at all.

 

[Belfry]

Here is a pic of the headlight motor for reference.

 

[safrane]

Pleased it's sorted. Had the same issue with mine back in 2006.

 

[rs48635]

Suspect this issue on my own car. Glad to hear the working parts can be accessed with headlamp still fitted. Hoping the near side ( passenger ) will be as easy to access. Have just been in there to replace a module for the dipped beam !