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        General >> Give/Need advice to/from others >> Headlamp Levelling?
        
(Message started by: davem on Mar 22^nd, 2008, 1:42pm)

Title: Headlamp Levelling?
Post by davem on Mar 22^nd, 2008, 1:42pm

I recently bought a new Scorp headlamp from ebay. Very good it was too - brand new driver's side. It even came with a headlamp levelling motor attached, but my 95 Cossie doesn't have this option fitted. It made no difference. I left the motor attached and fitted the headlamp. All OK.

This started me thinking. I can buy a replacement headlamp switch from ebay, one that is complete with the headlamp levelling control and I could even purchase a second levelling motor for the other headlamp - passenger side - also from ebay.

The non-levelling headlamp is basically the same as the motorised levelling version, except there is a plastic blanking cap on the back of the headlamp where the motor can go. I even removed this off the old headlamp to make sure the motor could simply be plugged in. It can.

So, if I obtain a levelling motor and the levelling switch, how easy would it be to upgrade my headlights to this system? Checking the wiring diagram for this circuit makes it look quite simple. OK, I may have to acquire plug connectors for the back of both motors and the back of the levelling switch, but after that, it looks simple to wire up.

Has anyone done it? Anyone know any reason why I should or should not attempt this?

Thanks
Dave

Title: Re: Headlamp Levelling?
Post by mijfife on Mar 24^th, 2008, 10:44pm

Hi Dave, I'd be interested how you get on with this as I'm in a similar position! My TD Ultima estate doesn't have the hight adjustable headlights but the 2.3 ultima estate i broke did. I was hoping the wiring would be in place in the TD but it wasn't :( Can you let me know if you have a go at this please?

Cheers Jim

Title: Re: Headlamp Levelling?
Post by davem on Mar 24^th, 2008, 11:15pm

Well.. it was only a thought and I am not sure I can be bothered to get all the bits, as I would need the motor connectors too. Sounds like you have all the parts there.

I know..send them to me, I'll fit them on my Scorp and let you know how I get on ;D ;D

Title: Re: Headlamp Levelling?
Post by davem on Apr 3^rd, 2008, 8:58am

I did manage to get all the bits from Ebay. A guy was breaking a Scorp and I got the 2nd levelling motor, the light/levelling switch and connectors for both, plus the connector for my existing levelling motor. All for £25. So all I need now is a bit of wire.

I did wire up the variable resistor switch and the motor he sent me (on the bench) to test it..and it works OK. The motor arm goes in and out when you turn the switch. What more could I ask :)

Jim...I will do this today and let you know how I got on.

Title: Re: Headlamp Levelling?
Post by mijfife on Apr 3^rd, 2008, 4:40pm

Hi Dave, glad you managed to get all the bits, good luck with wiring it up on the car and I look forward to a progress report soon :)

Cheers Jim

Title: Re: Headlamp Levelling?
Post by davem on Apr 3^rd, 2008, 4:59pm

Well Jim it's done!! A simple job but again, time consuming. About 4 hours to do it properly as I removed both headlamps again (I'm getting good at that)

Removed the blanking plug from the RH headlamp (twist and pull) and fitted the motor (push and twist). LH headlight already had the motor fitted.

Wired both motor plugs. Only 3 connections on each. One to ground, one to switched +12V (dipped headlamp circuit) and one is the feed from the variable resistor switch (next to the light switch).

At the other end I removed the old light switch assembly and replaced with the new one, which has the headlamp levelling control. Again, just 3 wires here. One to +12V (switched via the dip beam circuit - I took this one off the back of the light switch). Another wire is the variable feed to both motors, and the third wire is ground.

You can see I used the dipped headlamp circuit to obtian power to the motors and the variable switch. This means my headlamp levelling will only work when dipped (or main) beam is on. I decided this was best.

Job done. Now to align the headlamps yet again !

Title: Re: Headlamp Levelling?
Post by mijfife on May 13^th, 2008, 8:18pm

Hi Dave, sorry I never noticed you'd done the job, just noticed a thread linking to here again. Well done, great to hear it's all working and thanks for the detailed wiring instructions. I'll have a go at mine later in the year, I'm trying to give the restoration work on my Imp priority over fiddling with the Scorpio just now ::)

Cheers Jim