Headlight Adjusters

[msc]

Hi, a bit of a yawn topic, but the usual searches didn't quite bring what I wanted.

The headlight height adjuster stopped working from one day to the next (don't ask which one as I don't use it often). In my case both adjusters stopped working.

Done all the usual fuse, motor noise/ movement checks. Nothing. Had a look at the dash wheel switch with a multimeter and get some voltage readings but wasn't satisfied that this was an accurate test as I didn't know what I should be seeing, I just wanted to make sure there was something alive. The manual (yes I got one in German), suggests that there is an impulse generator in the central control unit. This suggests that the motors in the headlights are stepper motors?

Anyway has anyone had this sort of problem with both adjusters at the same time? This leads me not to doubt the motors themselves but more the control side. I didn't find anything in the manual refering to a relay for this circuit. Is there one?

The lights are currently in the high (0) position.

 

Since the other threads had such questions

[Mirez]

I've taken mine apart recently to fix a constant adjusting thing that the LH side was doing. The motors are your average run of the mill motors connected to a worm gear that adjusts the reflector. From the adjustment shaft sits a plastic arm which simply slides a varisior (like the old style volume slider) on the pcb. So to answer your first question no, they are not steppers (although you can't help thinking it would have been so much easier to have used them!)

 

I would also say its weird for both to have failed at the same time, they share a common control signal which appears to be a 12V variable resistance signal driven from fuse 58. Checking pin 4 at the control switch (yellow / yellow/blue) should have 12v when the ignition and lights are on. Pin 2 is the output from the variable switch so again with it all switched on and plugged in check you have a variable voltage on this when the switch is adjusted. If that is ok then you need to move onto the motors. Check pin 5 at either motor (Red/Blue) should also see a variable voltage when the control switch is adjusted as this is that same output from the switch. If thats present then the fault is with the control units. They share a common ground on Pin 3 (Brown/Blue) from either motor. The ground is also shared with various engine sensors so probably not going to be at fault. Finally Each motor has its own seperate 12v supply via fuses 59 and 60.

[Mirez]

Oh and no there is no relay for this circuit. ;)

[msc]

Thanks a lot Mirez, now I know what I'm looking for and will try this on the weekend. It took a while to work out how to get the various dash parts off last time to get to the switch but now I know it should go quicker. I also have to fix the wipers, they have decided to sweep only part of the windscreen, started a couple of weeks ago and has got progressively worse. I saw a few threads on this and guess I'm suffering the seizing bushes on the control arms. I'm a bit surprised as we don't salt much over here (Vienna) and the car is only 5 years old. Anyway MOT due so all jobs have to be fixed.

Thanks again for your detailed information.

[msc]

So, spent Sunday morning checking. I got variable voltages (6 to 10 V, low to high) at the switch and headlight connectors and a 12 V supply to the motor. The ground was OK too.

I pulled the motor out of the light unit for further examination and took it apart to check for anything mechanically stuck. All was OK and I was able to spin the motor with a 12 V battery connected directly to the motor poles. I connected it back to the car with the unit set to low position, rolled the adjuster switch to high, but no movement.

I took the motor unit out again and connected a 12 V supply to the control circuit and motor circuit via the pins and slid the vario resistor back and forth. No movement from the motor. So it seems I need new units. I only tried one side as I had spent the previous afternoon doing the wiper spindles and I went off mardy. Added to this the 3 kids need attention too and I had promised to put the trampoline up. So it's a trip to nice Mr. Ford or was that Fraud for the new bits? I'm going to compare prices at nice Mr. VW's and Seat too. BTW original spare parts over here are 2 to 3 times UK Ford's ?????

Anyway thanks for the tips so far.

[JLDP]

I'm having a similar problem with my Galaxy. I want to take a look and see if I can repair / recondition the adjuster motors. My initial problem is getting the headlights out. Anyone able to help.

 

Cheers

[Bigjeeze]

On a MK2 there are three torx screws - you need a long driver to get one out - Once they are undone the headlamp can be fiddled out - It looks like you need to remove the grille but you don't need to.

[Mirez]

On a MK2 there are three torx screws - you need a long driver to get one out - Once they are undone the headlamp can be fiddled out - It looks like you need to remove the grille but you don't need to.

 

Just be carefull with the lower metal clips and your bumper when you slide the headlight forward or put it back in - its extreamly easy to scratch it!

[Willie Krashitt]

For Info, the headlight adjuster motors are common to several VW group vehicles - From Skoda Octavia, to Audi A6. VW Group part number is 1J0 941 295A.

 

And on Mk 2 Galaxy, there are 4 torx screws that have to be removed or loosened to remove the lamp unit.

 

George.