Headlight auto-level motor

[Wagon727]

Has anyone had to replace the level motors, connected to the headlights? I picked up a spare set to practice rebuilding. Removed the motors and plugged them in to the car; they sound almost like a tattoo gun. Is that normal? I was trying to find replacements. The only thing I come accross is ebay, not sure if i trust used motors.

[StephenVA]

These are really simple to remove a few screws (3?) and the just pull out, AFTER you remove the head lamp assemblies from the car, which take 2 mins and 4x 8mm screws. I just replace the entire assemblies on my M5 garage queen. I will shift these over to the wagon.

[Wagon727]

Yup... I have a spare set of headlights (not installed in car). I disassembled over the weekend and connected the spare auto level motors to the car to test (before i submitted this thread). They made a noise, similar to a tattoo gun. That's why i started this thread... To find out if that is normal... If they will work... Or are they going bad? Lol. I tried to be as descriptive as possible, to hopefully get an answer. Sorry, if it's misleading.

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Thr headlights that are currently installed in the car, both have broken adjusters. And only one has a motor in it, disconnected. That is how they were when i bought the car. This is the reason i bought another set of headlights.

[JimLev]

These are stepper motors which have 4 (?) separate windings that get pulsed with voltage. This makes them turn a specific amount of degrees per step. They operate this way to be able to control their position accurately.
The motor that controls the throttle body is also a stepper motor.

[StephenVA]

Wagon727, Now I understand what you were asking about. When the motors are loose in you hand and they have no resistance to movement, they reach twitchy as they snap to the up positions. As long as they respond then they should be good to go. Some have discovered you do not need the adjuster motors after the adjuster mounts are broken. People just wire the lights in the up position. Another band aid/coat hanger solution. Having replace my H/L adjusters in a set of "unsaleable", the ship in a bottle approach, it is frustrating but the second unit will take you 60% less time. As long as your lenses are in good shape then fix them. Entire Hella replacements for angel eye and preface lift application can be ordered and the look will transform your vehicle.

Link to vendors I have used: https://www.eeuroparts.com/Cars/BMW/...or-Electrical/
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...assembly,10762

[Wagon727]

This is what's in the car now...

20180613_201719~2.jpg


This is what im working on, to put in...

Edit - never mind, pic uploads do not want to co operate.

[geargrinder]

Yeah. I suspect a lot of headlight motor repairs are misdiagnosed busted-adjuster-mount problems. FWIW My front level sensor arm busted which was MY problem... I haven't had self-adjust headlights in years because that part turns out to be stupidly priced, and besides... not a real massively-missed feature anyway.

[Wagon727]

So, it's safe to say, disconnecting the motors and relying solely on the manual adjusters will suffice? After 3 hours of tedious labor, I just completed replacing the adjusters in one headlamp. What a job.

[geargrinder]

Oh yeah. I haven't had the auto-dippy things in years. Kinda miss the cute deluxe flash wiggle when I fire up the car but in no way does it affect my actual lighting.