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        General >> Problems >> Headlamp beam adjustment .
        
(Message started by: maddshooter on Mar 28^th, 2004, 9:24am)

Title: Headlamp beam adjustment .
Post by maddshooter on Mar 28^th, 2004, 9:24am

Hi All ,

I've just replaced a blown headlamp bulb , on the drivers side , and now find that the beam pattern that side has moved across towardthe passenger side .

I've had a look but can't find any means of adjustment , not even the two "arms" to change the beam pattern for European driving.

Anyone know how to adjust these. It's the dip beam that shows worse.

Madd .

Title: Re: Headlamp beam adjustment .
Post by Rich on Mar 28^th, 2004, 9:39am

Hi, I am suprised changing the bulb has upset the beam pattern. Are you sure everything is sitting as it should be.With the bonnet lifted ,above the headlamp to the rear are two adjustment screws which are white plastic and look like small torx screws. My MOT garage adjusted these for headlamp aim. Sorry I cannot be more helpful.
Rich

Title: Re: Headlamp beam adjustment .
Post by maddshooter on Mar 28^th, 2004, 9:48am

Thanks for the quick reply mate ,

I had wondered about those two white plastic nut "things" myself but thought to leave well alone but if they are adjustment then I'll have a closer look .

I was also supprised that just changing the bulb caused this but the cover is such a pig to remove and fit , even if you loosen the rad header tank and water washer bottle , that I think I may have disturbed something else !

I'll give it a go and let you know how I get on .

Regards ,

Madd .

Title: Re: Headlamp beam adjustment .
Post by SaveTheNight on Mar 28^th, 2004, 11:25am

Hiya Madd.. it's more likely that the bulb isn't sitting level or that you inadvertently caught the beam adjusters as you say .. they are only thin metal strips situated just at the side of the bulb holders and flick one way of the other depending on which side your adjusting ..I wouldn't move the main adjusters at all ...

Title: Re: Headlamp beam adjustment .
Post by maddshooter on Mar 30^th, 2004, 6:37pm

Hi STN and thanks for the advice ,

The new bulb is securely fitted into the two indents of the holder so I don't think that's the prob , unless the bulb has been mis - manufactured which is unlikely for Bosch . I still can't find those blessed adjustment levers on mine , have looked on the main site and don't seem to have anything like the picture shown , maybe I'm missing something ! ( life has been a tad fraught of late )

I'll have another look see . Trouble is It's dark when I get a moment free .

Cheers mate ,

Madd .

Title: Re: Headlamp beam adjustment .
Post by Thunderchild on Apr 2^nd, 2004, 1:55pm

Is the bulb an uprated one? I had this problem when I put higher wattage bulbs in the headlights. The only solution was to go back to the old 55 watt jobbies. It seems that the problem stems from the bulb being longer than the standard which then throws out all the fancy lighting geometry.

Hope this helps.

T/child

Title: Re: Headlamp beam adjustment .
Post by Mick Saunders on Apr 2^nd, 2004, 2:07pm

:)Hi All,
The Head Lamps can also be adjusted, by the plastic "Butterfly/ wing" nuts, that the main attatchment bolts go through. There are three of them on each lamp, to align the lamp with the body. Loosen off the main attatchment bolts slightly. Then turn the plastic "Butterfly/Wing nuts to suit your alignment, then fine tune with the two white torxs screws. If this dosen't work then the bulbs must be slightly longer as suggested.
Mick

Title: Re: Headlamp beam adjustment .
Post by Eddie on Apr 3^rd, 2004, 3:28pm

You havnt accidentally flicked over the "continental" driving arm have you?

eddie

Title: Re: Headlamp beam adjustment .
Post by maddshooter on Apr 4^th, 2004, 6:28pm

Hi Ed and others ,

Thanks for the suggestions folks . The lamps now fitted are the same as old ones , it isn't the continental adjusters but the beam pattern has a distinct cut off across the drvers side right portion .

I have now had a chance to carefully use the two beam adjusters on top off the headlamp ass. and have now got a nigh on perfect pattern again.

So happy ending and conclusion is that somehow the beam adjustment got altered when re - fitting the rear cover to the headlamp ass.

Thanks again all for your help and suggestions.

Regards , Madd .

Title: Re: Headlamp beam adjustment .
Post by geraghtyg on Apr 5^th, 2004, 2:24pm

Speaking of headlamp beams, I had my first experience of driving my new Scorpio on dark country roads at the weekend and the beam was terrible. The road was only lit up by a few metres in front of me and then nothing but darkness after that. When a car was passing the other was, I literally coundn't see anything. The car only passed the NCT (Irish MOT) the weekend before last so as far as the NCT goes, they are fine. Are they known to be this crap or should I get them adjusted higher up?
Oh, and the headlamp level adjustment in the car is set to "0". THere were no passengers in the car with me at the time and the boot was empty.

Title: Re: Headlamp beam adjustment .
Post by Eddie on Apr 5^th, 2004, 3:19pm

I posted this 'observation a couple of months back.

When I had to replace a headlamp unit (dont ask!) I was shocked at the difference in light output between the new and the remaining old headlamps.
The new one was much brighter and had a distinct beam pattern.REplacing the bulb in the remaining old unit made no difference.
When I had a closer look at the old unit I was quite surprised at the differences.
The glass of the old one looked sandblasted in comparison to the new one and the internal chromework/reflector was covered in a layer of god knows what.

Attempting to clean the chromework witha mild soapy watre solution only resulted in chromework WIPING off,it must be incredibly thin!

As far as the glass is concerned,the only solution was to replace it,which I havnt done so far.

eddie

Title: Re: Headlamp beam adjustment .
Post by geraghtyg on Apr 5^th, 2004, 3:25pm

My Scorpio is a '98 facelift version with the darkened headlamps. The light itself is nice and bright and there is a very distinct beam pattern, just like my old Mazda 323f and also a little like my Dad's Punto but the level seems to be really low - On a dark road, I can literally only see a few metres in front. The full beams really are excellent though, I have to admit. :)