Originally Posted by
Mad Dog 20/20
The auto-leveling function for my headlights has finally failed.
The repair looks like a PITA.
My wagon has auto-leveling rear air-suspension, so auto-leveling headlights are not really needed. Is there a way to manually adjust the headlights to a fixed position that is optimal?
Based on your later comments it seems you have the issue handled, but I just wanted to clarify the difference between the auto-level system and the headlight aim/headlight adjusters. You aim the headlight manually using the external controls for those internal adjusters.The auto level will then make minor height adjustments based on changes in vehicle load as determined by the suspension sensors. The auto level makes corrections for things like carrying a bunch of passengers in the backseat or a lot of heavy cargo in the trunk. It should also correct under heavy braking or acceleration.
If one of your sensors is bad, installed upside down or if there is some other issue it is possible the auto-level can move your headlights too far down or too far up. So if you are still having issues after you replace your adjusters and manually aim your headlights then you can look at the self leveling system and figure out what is wrong with it.
And yes if you want you can disconnect the self leveling system (just unplug the leveling motor on the back of the headlight). 99% of people who retrofit xenons onto halogen cars do not retrofit the self leveling system as it is rather involved. As lons as you lights are not aimed too high you should not have any problems.
For a more detailed description of the auto level system read this via edjackRead Jim Cash's description:
Auto-leveling HID upgrade
I just upgraded my 97 528i headlights to a 2001 540i xenon hid headlights with self leveling. does anyone know what or how I can make any mod's so I could use the self leveling option? Thanks
You have to do the following:
- add position sensors to the right side front & rear suspension. (might have to replace the rear suspension arm for one with the sensor bracket)
- Add wiring from the sensors up to the area behind the glove box.
- Install the LWS module that controls the leveling (small electronic module goes behind the glove box).
- Add wiring from the LWS module to the Light Check Control Module (LCM - behind the right kick panel).
- Add wiring from the LWS to each headlight (4 leads and connector to each light).
- Have the vehicle software option changed to activate the LWS program and redefine the Check program in the LCM.
There are various ways to do all this (some aftermarket kits are out there but each seems to have variations and some limitations.)
The BMW leveling program does the following:
- a calibration run on each start up.
- Adjusts light height for changes in vehicle load as determined by the suspension sensors. This is normally checked every 30 seconds and minor adjustments done as required.
- "Immediately and constantly" adjusts the height of the lights during periods of acceleration or braking so as to prevent these movements from affecting the level of the lighting.
Note - the autoleveling does not correctly aim your headlights. You must first aim them manually according to specks and then the LWS system will keep them at the proper level for the above situations.
Cheers
Jim Cash
Originally Posted by
Mad Dog 20/20
I cant really discern a difference from high to low, so I'm thinking both are spent.
Definitely makes sense to replace both adjusters while you have the lights open even if one of them is intact. The OEM adjusters get extremely brittle, you will see how fragle the original ones are once you have the lights open.
Originally Posted by
Mad Dog 20/20
On another note, one of my angel eye bulbs is dead. Is there a go-to angel eye product, these days? Something plug n play that will dazzle the senses?
ebay and umnitza should both have plug and play options LED options (no error msgs). There should be several options as far as brightness goes, but even the weakest LED versions should be brighter than the OEM halogen angel eye bulbs. Maybe someone will chime in with a specific ebay example they like.
fyi I think all the LED options are 6000k color temp or higher so if you are running OEM xenon bulbs, the angel eyes will not match the 4300k xenon low beams perfectly, if that matters to you. For a good explanation of the various colors scroll down to Kelvin ratings section here
If you decide you have to have bulbs to match your new LED angel eyes The Retrofit Source is a good place to buy quality bulbs. You can often find genuine bulbs for much less other places, but there are a ton of good knockoffs out there so it can be tough to determine if you are buying a genuine bulb. Retrofit Source sells Phillips, Osram, and Morimoto bulbs. I have not tried them myself, but people seem to really like these Morimoto bulbs and you can get them in a variety of color temps.
On the other hand if you are fine with cheap china bulbs you can find them for way less elsewhere on the internet.
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