Headlights stuck - Page 2

hogweed · 6th March 2018, 08:36

Sorry guys, a bit tired and stressed yesterday - that's two of you now have told me why they do it!

OK I get that it's a test of the self-levelling mechanism. But I tested the thumb wheel last night and that works fine - lights up and down when I thumb it, so I guess I'm a little worried that it doesn't happen as it should any more, when the lights are turned on.

I'm sure I've read here before that the lighting control unit thingy can give problems some time... does that seem likely to anybody?

RoverP480 · 6th March 2018, 12:04

I thought the whole point of self levelling is that you didn't have a thumb wheel to override it, or am I totally wrong?

75driver · 6th March 2018, 12:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoverP480

I thought the whole point of self levelling is that you didn't have a thumb wheel to override it, or am I totally wrong?

Self levelling and self test are two different things.
Self levelling- for xenon headlights
Self test - the headlights moving upwards on start up.
Edit: but you are correct, for factory fitted xenon headlights, with self levelling, there is no thumbwheel afaik.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

hogweed · 6th March 2018, 14:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by 75driver

Self test - the headlights moving upwards on start up.

Guess that's what I've got then... hope somebody can comment on why it doesn't happen

maxi_crawf · 6th March 2018, 20:27

Self testing and self levelling are two different things.

smudge.g · 6th March 2018, 21:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by hogweed

Guess that's what I've got then... hope somebody can comment on why it doesn't happen

I cant really help because i have a similar issue - but only 1 moves up and down on startup/switch on and the other (drivers side) doesnt move at all!! The thumbwheel does move them both for time then the drivers side stops moving. Have yet to find out why too!

selwol · 7th March 2018, 20:14

they may have stopped because the headlight wiring goes over a welded seam on the offside chassis rail near the lights, this chaffed and caused a short on mine that stopped the self test working until I repaired the wire and put a length of split rubber hose over the seam. it`s a pain to get at and I only found it when I was doing other work with the front bumper off. might be something to consider..

suzublu · 7th March 2018, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by selwol

they may have stopped because the headlight wiring goes over a welded seam on the offside chassis rail near the lights, this chaffed and caused a short on mine that stopped the self test working until I repaired the wire and put a length of split rubber hose over the seam. it`s a pain to get at and I only found it when I was doing other work with the front bumper off. might be something to consider..

hogweed · 7th March 2018, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by suzublu

Eoow. Another design gem

6th March 2018, 08:36	#11
hogweed I really should get out more....... Vauxhall Insignia CDTi; MG TF 135 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Norn Iron Posts: 2,968 Thanks: 942 Thanked 378 Times in 297 Posts	Sorry guys, a bit tired and stressed yesterday - that's two of you now have told me why they do it! OK I get that it's a test of the self-levelling mechanism. But I tested the thumb wheel last night and that works fine - lights up and down when I thumb it, so I guess I'm a little worried that it doesn't happen as it should any more, when the lights are turned on. I'm sure I've read here before that the lighting control unit thingy can give problems some time... does that seem likely to anybody? __________________ Past cars: MGB GT; Escort 1300 Sport; Vauxhall VX4/90; Marina Coupe TC; Celica ST (1972); Montego Turbo; Astra GTE 16V; Astra GSI 16V; Golf GTI 16V (Mk II); Sierra XR4x4 Estate; BMW 325i (E30); BMW M3 3.0; BMW M3 3.2 Evo. Left some of the more embarrassing ones out. And about 30 motorbikes.

6th March 2018, 12:04	#12
RoverP480 Gets stuck in None at the moment Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Hereford Posts: 501 Thanks: 1 Thanked 165 Times in 146 Posts	I thought the whole point of self levelling is that you didn't have a thumb wheel to override it, or am I totally wrong?

6th March 2018, 20:27	#15
maxi_crawf Posted a thing or two R75 Saloon Conn CDT SE, MG ZT190+ Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kingston-upon-Hull Posts: 1,960 Thanks: 823 Thanked 426 Times in 274 Posts	Self testing and self levelling are two different things.

7th March 2018, 20:14	#17
selwol Regular poster exrover75 saloon owner gone to a good home Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: rainford Posts: 71 Thanks: 6 Thanked 26 Times in 22 Posts	they may have stopped because the headlight wiring goes over a welded seam on the offside chassis rail near the lights, this chaffed and caused a short on mine that stopped the self test working until I repaired the wire and put a length of split rubber hose over the seam. it`s a pain to get at and I only found it when I was doing other work with the front bumper off. might be something to consider..