Self levelling head lights

advinnie · 3rd February 2013, 17:14

Hi all my self levelling head lights only self level if the engine is off when the engine is on and I turn on the lights in they don't self level they just come on but with just the ignition key turn to position 2 and then when I turn on the head lights the light units will travel down then up is this normal or has something gone wrong? Cheers all

rich17865 · 3rd February 2013, 18:42

recently done something with the headlight levellers, my findings as follows

Ignition off, main beam will not operate

Ignition on, then switch lights on, they move up and down to indicate correct operation every time you switch the lights on.

Engine on, switch lights on, they do not move up and down (I think the levelling is checked when you start the engine).

If I remember correctly.

Although from the postings of other members, it is certainly worth checking the leveller sensor arms on the offside suspension arms.

advinnie · 3rd February 2013, 20:38

Hi there just checked the sensor ams and both are pointing up in the middle joint. And yes when the ignition is on the lights do do there check but with engine on they dont. So whats happening is that if I start driving in day light into the night time and put lights on they only point a few foot in front of the car. But if at night time I switch on the lights before starting the engine they point a good distance in front of the car. So if the sun goes down while im driving I have to pull over stop the car turn off the engine then turn the lights on restart the engine and continue on my way

Simon.h · 3rd February 2013, 21:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by advinnie

Hi there just checked the sensor ams and both are pointing up in the middle joint. And yes when the ignition is on the lights do do there check but with engine on they dont. So whats happening is that if I start driving in day light into the night time and put lights on they only point a few foot in front of the car. But if at night time I switch on the lights before starting the engine they point a good distance in front of the car. So if the sun goes down while im driving I have to pull over stop the car turn off the engine then turn the lights on restart the engine and continue on my way

Sorry but why would sunlight do this!
There's no connection between the headlamps and sun light.

advinnie · 3rd February 2013, 21:21

Not to sure what you mean " why would sunlight do this" and what I thought was the second sensor is not the second sensor, not if the second sensor is at the rear

Simon.h · 3rd February 2013, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by advinnie

Not to sure what you mean " why would sunlight do this" and what I thought was the second sensor is not the second sensor, not if the second sensor is at the rear

Because you said if you turn them on in sunlight, they point downwards and have to restart.
There is 2 level sensors, one on front suspension and one on rear, cause this is the only way the headlamps can see how much weight is in the car.

rich17865 · 3rd February 2013, 20:40

That sounds wrong.

Might need a plug into T4 for a diagnosis?

advinnie · 3rd February 2013, 21:02

Im meeting phil at the meeting next sunday and we are putting it on the T4 to do the 177 upgrade what do I neex to ask him to do about my headlights and by the way ive just found out that there are two sensors I know one is on the front on the wishbone thingy but do you know where the second sensor is?

Simon.h · 3rd February 2013, 21:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by advinnie

Im meeting phil at the meeting next sunday and we are putting it on the T4 to do the 177 upgrade what do I neex to ask him to do about my headlights and by the way ive just found out that there are two sensors I know one is on the front on the wishbone thingy but do you know where the second sensor is?

It's on the drivers side rear suspension arm.
Then you looked at the front one was the arms straight?

advinnie · 3rd February 2013, 21:15

Not sure about straight mate ive just looked to see if it was poniting in the right direction. Will have a look tomorrow and let you know. And thanks for letting me now where the second sensor is I will all so be looking at that tomorrow. Just one more thing do the headlights continual move up and down when the car is in motions to keep the lights pointing a certain distance in front of the car and how far in front of the car should the point sorry if this sounds a dum question ive never had a car with self levelling lights before.

3rd February 2013, 17:14	#1
advinnie Avid contributor mg zt 160 Join Date: May 2011 Location: WALLINGFORD Posts: 200 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Self levelling head lights Hi all my self levelling head lights only self level if the engine is off when the engine is on and I turn on the lights in they don't self level they just come on but with just the ignition key turn to position 2 and then when I turn on the head lights the light units will travel down then up is this normal or has something gone wrong? Cheers all

3rd February 2013, 18:42	#2
rich17865 This is my second home Transit Connect Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Crewe Posts: 9,532 Thanks: 868 Thanked 1,619 Times in 1,095 Posts	recently done something with the headlight levellers, my findings as follows Ignition off, main beam will not operate Ignition on, then switch lights on, they move up and down to indicate correct operation every time you switch the lights on. Engine on, switch lights on, they do not move up and down (I think the levelling is checked when you start the engine). If I remember correctly. Although from the postings of other members, it is certainly worth checking the leveller sensor arms on the offside suspension arms.

3rd February 2013, 20:38	#3
advinnie Avid contributor mg zt 160 Join Date: May 2011 Location: WALLINGFORD Posts: 200 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi there just checked the sensor ams and both are pointing up in the middle joint. And yes when the ignition is on the lights do do there check but with engine on they dont. So whats happening is that if I start driving in day light into the night time and put lights on they only point a few foot in front of the car. But if at night time I switch on the lights before starting the engine they point a good distance in front of the car. So if the sun goes down while im driving I have to pull over stop the car turn off the engine then turn the lights on restart the engine and continue on my way

3rd February 2013, 21:21	#5
advinnie Avid contributor mg zt 160 Join Date: May 2011 Location: WALLINGFORD Posts: 200 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Not to sure what you mean " why would sunlight do this" and what I thought was the second sensor is not the second sensor, not if the second sensor is at the rear

3rd February 2013, 20:40	#7
rich17865 This is my second home Transit Connect Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Crewe Posts: 9,532 Thanks: 868 Thanked 1,619 Times in 1,095 Posts	That sounds wrong. Might need a plug into T4 for a diagnosis?

3rd February 2013, 21:02	#8
advinnie Avid contributor mg zt 160 Join Date: May 2011 Location: WALLINGFORD Posts: 200 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Im meeting phil at the meeting next sunday and we are putting it on the T4 to do the 177 upgrade what do I neex to ask him to do about my headlights and by the way ive just found out that there are two sensors I know one is on the front on the wishbone thingy but do you know where the second sensor is?

3rd February 2013, 21:15	#10
advinnie Avid contributor mg zt 160 Join Date: May 2011 Location: WALLINGFORD Posts: 200 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Not sure about straight mate ive just looked to see if it was poniting in the right direction. Will have a look tomorrow and let you know. And thanks for letting me now where the second sensor is I will all so be looking at that tomorrow. Just one more thing do the headlights continual move up and down when the car is in motions to keep the lights pointing a certain distance in front of the car and how far in front of the car should the point sorry if this sounds a dum question ive never had a car with self levelling lights before.