gvmnt
Member Since: 07 May 2007
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 27
 
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| MOT failure - xenon headlights |
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Failed MOT on both headlights: "Headlamp aim projected bean image is obviously incorrect [4.1.2(c)]"
Bi-xenon adaptive HSE on 56 plate.
Initially the MOT guy said clean / polish headlights and all should be fine - done. Came back for retest - same issues although slight improvement. He says the lights disperses too broadly, i.e. more above the line than expected, although the line is clearly seen.
I asked what are the suggestions, and response:
- change the light bulbs
- if above does not work, then it might be an issue on the inside, on the "globe" itself.
I would appreciate if any advice or similar experience, and how to fix. Changing bulbs is easy, although I do not want to rush as the new ones are quite dear and my old ones seem to still produce reasonable light output.
Also, does the guy's comment makes sense about a possible issue being on the "globe" itself?
Much grateful!
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 12th Dec 2020 10:27 pm |
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sarumlight
Member Since: 07 Nov 2008
Location: Off the Plain
Posts: 1590
 
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Are you sure the shutter on the xenon bulbs isn’t sticking in the full-beam position? I had a couple of headlights replaced with that fault back when our D3 was under warranty. Point them at a wall or garage door and check the beam goes down when you dip them. The halogen bulbs for full beam go off but don’t move. A good slap above the headlamp sometimes sorts them for a while.
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| 12th Dec 2020 10:35 pm |
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lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
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Tried adjusting them?
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| 12th Dec 2020 10:44 pm |
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sarumlight
Member Since: 07 Nov 2008
Location: Off the Plain
Posts: 1590
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Definitely that too!!!
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| 12th Dec 2020 10:48 pm |
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Gareth
Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26704
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If they are adaptive, then the adaptive function might not be working. Do the beams ‘dance’ when switched on?
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| 12th Dec 2020 10:49 pm |
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gvmnt
Member Since: 07 May 2007
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 27
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sarumlight wrote:Are you sure the shutter on the xenon bulbs isn’t sticking in the full-beam position? I had a couple of headlights replaced with that fault back when our D3 was under warranty. Point them at a wall or garage door and check the beam goes down when you dip them. The halogen bulbs for full beam go off but don’t move. A good slap above the headlamp sometimes sorts them for a while.
The shutter is ok. After the second visit to the MOT guy I did exactly what you suggested - the beam does go down, and you can also see the shutter shade line going a bit lower. On the high beam the dispersion on the garage door definitely much broader.
In some ways I feel the MOT guy is splitting hairs here, but I am afraid that with MOT fail on record now I am stuck with producing some sort of a fix.
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| 12th Dec 2020 10:57 pm |
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gvmnt
Member Since: 07 May 2007
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 27
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Gareth wrote:If they are adaptive, then the adaptive function might not be working. Do the beams ‘dance’ when switched on?
They 'dance' is beautifully as ever 
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| 12th Dec 2020 10:58 pm |
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gvmnt
Member Since: 07 May 2007
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 27
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lynalldiscovery wrote:Tried adjusting them?
i am not even sure how to do that on the adaptive bi-xenon. i was under impression that they were 'factory set' without possibility to adjust. i would value any pointers on adjustments.
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| 12th Dec 2020 11:00 pm |
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Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10368
 
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Use another mot station !
Or maybe ask them if they would pass them first
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| 12th Dec 2020 11:07 pm |
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Hardware
Member Since: 28 Jun 2016
Location: Hiding under the M60
Posts: 12717
 
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Find an MoT station that does a lot of BMWs... they seem to get passed with suspiciously high dipped beams .
Dean
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2011 D4 XS - OBD port protection, RLD spare wheel protector, All LED interiors lights, Timed Climate enabled, iiD tool paired.
2011 D4 Landmark - Stolen from same dealer before I paid for it
2011 D4 GS - Stolen whilst at dealer  ... All LED interiors lights, DRLs, Spare Wheel protector.
1996 300Tdi - Eaten by tin worms
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| 13th Dec 2020 8:52 am |
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lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
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gvmnt wrote:lynalldiscovery wrote:Tried adjusting them?
i am not even sure how to do that on the adaptive bi-xenon. i was under impression that they were 'factory set' without possibility to adjust. i would value any pointers on adjustments.
Yes you can adjust them, well height wise anyway, I have not tried sideways adjustment, it was a few years ago now.
Edit to add, are they in left hand drive mode? there is a lever in the back apparently!
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| 13th Dec 2020 10:05 am |
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M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8114
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They are very easily adjusted with a large Philips screw driver through a slot above the lamp. Is there any “mist” inside the lense?- that can cause a distorted beam, if so use a hair dryer to remove.
Are the headlamps original? - if adaptive have been fitted aftermarket the adaptive part may not work. It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
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| 13th Dec 2020 10:38 am |
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Hardware
Member Since: 28 Jun 2016
Location: Hiding under the M60
Posts: 12717
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lynalldiscovery wrote:
Edit to add, are they in left hand drive mode? there is a lever in the back apparently!
Is that true of the unit with dip/main beam flap? .
Dean
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2011 D4 XS - OBD port protection, RLD spare wheel protector, All LED interiors lights, Timed Climate enabled, iiD tool paired.
2011 D4 Landmark - Stolen from same dealer before I paid for it
2011 D4 GS - Stolen whilst at dealer ... All LED interiors lights, DRLs, Spare Wheel protector.
1996 300Tdi - Eaten by tin worms
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| 13th Dec 2020 10:46 am |
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M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8114
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I could never find that lever on my old D3 with xenon fitted, although they where none adaptive! It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
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| 13th Dec 2020 10:56 am |
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gvmnt
Member Since: 07 May 2007
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 27
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M3DPO wrote:They are very easily adjusted with a large Philips screw driver through a slot above the lamp. Is there any “mist” inside the lense?- that can cause a distorted beam, if so use a hair dryer to remove.
Are the headlamps original? - if adaptive have been fitted aftermarket the adaptive part may not work.
They are original. And the lever is in the right place too. If's really the first time that I am stumbled with an MOT failure which is not that clear to me what exactly causes "too much dispersion".
Your "mist" comment does intrigue me. The MOT guy pointed at the "globes" - i.e. lenses - and now on closer look today they to appear a bit more dull than I possibly remember them to be in their best days.
Can the lenses be removed from the headlights easily to wipe / clean them? I have always been skittish around these lights given xenon and adaptive, but may be time has come to get inside somehow.
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| 13th Dec 2020 11:39 am |
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