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Thread: Headlight Bucket Low...

  1. #1
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    Headlight Bucket Low...

    now in Standard time its dark after work and need light... my driver side headlight looked low so i used a Phillips screw driver to spin the adjuster and raise it up but it only goes so much and stops, as if its stripped.

    is it stripped or is there another underlying issue?

    gotta raise it up, need more light higher...
    "...i haven't taken leave of my senses Bob, I've come to them..." -- Ebenezer Scrooge

  2. #2
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    The adjuster wheel is either disconnected from the adjusting slide, or it is missing completely. Make sure you have all three connected and working properly, as they work together - if one fails, then the light just wobbles around.
    '93 850Ci - Mineralweiß Metallic

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  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by TxGR8White View Post
    The adjuster wheel is either disconnected from the adjusting slide, or it is missing completely. Make sure you have all three connected and working properly, as they work together - if one fails, then the light just wobbles around.

    the light goes down if i turn it that way, but only upwards so far... but i will look down inside to see if i can find the connections...

    thanks!
    "...i haven't taken leave of my senses Bob, I've come to them..." -- Ebenezer Scrooge

  4. #4
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    If you put your thumbs on the lense with your fingers on the housing, does the lender move about? If so, your adjusters are broken.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by cartoonz View Post
    If you put your thumbs on the lense with your fingers on the housing, does the lender move about? If so, your adjusters are broken.
    lens in ok.... what is an adjusting slide?C922A3F8-C9C6-40BE-9C5B-3479B7DE5B2C.jpeg

    - - - Updated - - -

    Actually when I spin the adjusting wheel in the same direction , eventually the headlight changes direction..,
    "...i haven't taken leave of my senses Bob, I've come to them..." -- Ebenezer Scrooge

  6. #6
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    That's not the right thing to be twiddling - those are only needed to raise and close the pop-up function of the headlights if the motor fails. The adjusters are actually on the headlight assembly - quite where I'm not sure as I only have experience of the Euro lights....
    Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i


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  7. #7
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    His car has the Euro lights (J-spec) 8-)
    91 850 (Panzer), 2012 Mini Cooper Countryman (WifeMobile) www.wuffer.ca


  8. #8
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    Ahh! Info here:

    Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i


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  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Timm View Post
    Ahh! Info here:


    awesome... thank you very much Timm,,, you too Wuffer...
    "...i haven't taken leave of my senses Bob, I've come to them..." -- Ebenezer Scrooge

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Wuffer View Post
    His car has the Euro lights (J-spec) 8-)
    One of the three adjusters is broken - tabs that "lock" it in broke, so it won't adjust correctly.
    '93 850Ci - Mineralweiß Metallic

    2001 740iL - Titansilber
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  11. #11
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    Crosspost from the uk forum...

    My MOT is coming up, I've replaced the NS pod with a used one that still has working adjusters, BUT they need adjusting for the MOT to bring the focus high enough..... (raising) and I'm terrified to touch the adjusters for fear of brittle aged plastic explosion.
    Does anyone have any good tips on adjusting them without exploding the plastic adjusters? soak them with wd40 first? heat the plastic with a hairdryer to make them less brittle? All mad but "it might just work" suggestions welcome before I explode these adjusters! >.<

    Cheers, would really like to avoid having to break and replace them for the sake of the MOT when they are so close to being fine! (but not quite fine enough to pass the mot)

  12. #12
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    Have you tried using the adjustment in the car? The thumb wheel on the right side of the instrument cluster where you can drive the lights up or down - it might be enough to get them into the proper position.
    '93 850Ci - Mineralweiß Metallic

    2001 740iL - Titansilber
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  13. #13
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    Thanks Tx,
    Yes, it's that the new lamp doesn't line up with the exisiting one which is at the correct height, so I will definetly have to adjust it...

    Quote Originally Posted by TxGR8White View Post
    Have you tried using the adjustment in the car? The thumb wheel on the right side of the instrument cluster where you can drive the lights up or down - it might be enough to get them into the proper position.

  14. #14
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    The headlights do adjust reasonably easy - just as long as you don't put undue pressure on the adjusters you should have no problem - here's the routine:

    https://www.meeknet.co.uk/E31/timms_...adjustment.htm


    ...and if you break them:

    http://www.meeknet.co.uk/e31/bmw-e31...ter-repair.htm
    Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i


    My BMW Repair YouTube Channel
    My Current 840ci Sport Individual
    My Current 650ci Sport Individual
    My E31 Repair and Information Website
    My E38 Repair and Information Website
    My E63/E64 Repair and Information Website

    Chase - Heroes to a generation

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