Headlight Problem
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Since I got my car back from having new springs installed, I've noticed that the headlight auto leveling is higher than it was before. For example, when I am following another car, my headlights are almost shining in the car's rear view mirror. I also have on-coming traffic flashing their lights at me, as they assume I have my brights on. I'm guessing the auto leveling and/or adaptive element of the headlights is somehow connected to the suspension? Would anyone have any information on this? I'm going to have to take it back to the shop to get it fixed but would like to have some concrete information to share with them. Any info or similar experiences would be appreciated. Thanks.
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Originally Posted by black530e60' post='237258' date='Feb 9 2006, 07:57 AM
Since I got my car back from having new springs installed, I've noticed that the headlight auto leveling is higher than it was before. For example, when I am following another car, my headlights are almost shining in the car's rear view mirror. I also have on-coming traffic flashing their lights at me, as they assume I have my brights on. I'm guessing the auto leveling and/or adaptive element of the headlights is somehow connected to the suspension? Would anyone have any information on this? I'm going to have to take it back to the shop to get it fixed but would like to have some concrete information to share with them. Any info or similar experiences would be appreciated. Thanks.
cheers
vern
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I don't think the lights are "connected" in any way to the suspension but if the springs weren't installed properly, they could be making the whole car a bit higher, couldn't they?
vern's question is a good one -- I'm curious about the same thing...
vern's question is a good one -- I'm curious about the same thing...
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Originally Posted by Rudy' post='237291' date='Feb 9 2006, 09:24 AM
I don't think the lights are "connected" in any way to the suspension but if the springs weren't installed properly, they could be making the whole car a bit higher, couldn't they?
vern's question is a good one -- I'm curious about the same thing...
vern's question is a good one -- I'm curious about the same thing...
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Did the rear of the car get lowered more than the front of the car? It's just a thought, I guess.
I'm sure your mechanic is competent but then again, these cars are so complex that even the most competent mechanic should have access to the BMW technical documentation to perform tasks that might have been routine in the past...
I'm sure your mechanic is competent but then again, these cars are so complex that even the most competent mechanic should have access to the BMW technical documentation to perform tasks that might have been routine in the past...
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[/quote]
He might know what he is doing are far as the suspension but my bet is he don't have a clue about the leveling devise which has to be corrected. You might have to go back to your dealer any way.Good luck
cheers
vern
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On my Mercedes, auto leveling of the lights was connected to the suspension. A sensor of some kind was placed on the rear axle to determine height of the vehicle. This same sensor was used for both self leveling of the car and self leveling of the headlights.
When I did some suspension work on the car, I needed to manually re-adjust the headlights and give it a "new" starting point (neutral level point). Once the lights were manually adjusted for height, self leveling made sure to keep the lights level under various load conditions.
Don't know if this applies to the E60, but that is my 2 cents for what it is worth.
When I did some suspension work on the car, I needed to manually re-adjust the headlights and give it a "new" starting point (neutral level point). Once the lights were manually adjusted for height, self leveling made sure to keep the lights level under various load conditions.
Don't know if this applies to the E60, but that is my 2 cents for what it is worth.
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Originally Posted by black530e60' post='237258' date='Feb 9 2006, 04:57 AM
Since I got my car back from having new springs installed, I've noticed that the headlight auto leveling is higher than it was before. For example, when I am following another car, my headlights are almost shining in the car's rear view mirror. I also have on-coming traffic flashing their lights at me, as they assume I have my brights on. I'm guessing the auto leveling and/or adaptive element of the headlights is somehow connected to the suspension? Would anyone have any information on this? I'm going to have to take it back to the shop to get it fixed but would like to have some concrete information to share with them. Any info or similar experiences would be appreciated. Thanks.
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5 Rakete is correct -- there is a ride height sensor on the front and rear axles that will affect headlight vertical aim.
BMW recommends that you adjust the headlights after replacing the sensor (which it sounds like you didn't) but it makes sense that if you lower the car, you'd have to reset things as well. It's also recommended that you initialize the FTM too so you might as well do that since it's a no-brainer.
Here's a quick look at how to adjust the headlights:
Adjusting headlights:
1d_RA__Adjusting_headlights.pdf
Test requirements for headlight adjustment:
1da_RA__Test_requirements_for_headlight_vertical_aim_adjustment.pdf
This is the first time I remember seeing this issue come up after lowering the car -- did I miss anything from the past? I seem to remember other members lowering their cars. Either they all need headlight adjustments now or black530e60's install did something to disturb the ride height sensor...
BMW recommends that you adjust the headlights after replacing the sensor (which it sounds like you didn't) but it makes sense that if you lower the car, you'd have to reset things as well. It's also recommended that you initialize the FTM too so you might as well do that since it's a no-brainer.
Here's a quick look at how to adjust the headlights:
Adjusting headlights:
1d_RA__Adjusting_headlights.pdf
Test requirements for headlight adjustment:
1da_RA__Test_requirements_for_headlight_vertical_aim_adjustment.pdf
This is the first time I remember seeing this issue come up after lowering the car -- did I miss anything from the past? I seem to remember other members lowering their cars. Either they all need headlight adjustments now or black530e60's install did something to disturb the ride height sensor...
#10
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My Ride: 2007 550, premium, sport, nav, bluetooth, satellite, cold, M5/Mtech front bumper and side skirts, matte black kidney grilles, M5 fender grilles, M5 mirrors, euro stickers, 35% tint, 20" Miro 111s (summer), 18" VMR VB3s w/ 10 mm H&R spacers (winter)
Originally Posted by Rudy' post='237331' date='Feb 9 2006, 11:26 AM
5 Rakete is correct -- there is a ride height sensor on the front and rear axles that will affect headlight vertical aim.
BMW recommends that you adjust the headlights after replacing the sensor (which it sounds like you didn't) but it makes sense that if you lower the car, you'd have to reset things as well. It's also recommended that you initialize the FTM too so you might as well do that since it's a no-brainer.
Here's a quick look at how to adjust the headlights:
Adjusting headlights:
Attachment 15306
Test requirements for headlight adjustment:
Attachment 15307
This is the first time I remember seeing this issue come up after lowering the car -- did I miss anything from the past? I seem to remember other members lowering their cars. Either they all need headlight adjustments now or black530e60's install did something to disturb the ride height sensor...
BMW recommends that you adjust the headlights after replacing the sensor (which it sounds like you didn't) but it makes sense that if you lower the car, you'd have to reset things as well. It's also recommended that you initialize the FTM too so you might as well do that since it's a no-brainer.
Here's a quick look at how to adjust the headlights:
Adjusting headlights:
Attachment 15306
Test requirements for headlight adjustment:
Attachment 15307
This is the first time I remember seeing this issue come up after lowering the car -- did I miss anything from the past? I seem to remember other members lowering their cars. Either they all need headlight adjustments now or black530e60's install did something to disturb the ride height sensor...