Headlamps

[fireski]

What, if anything, needs to be done to adjust beams on a 2002 Galaxy fitted with Xenon headlights? (I asked at my local Ford dealer but they didn't know and couldn't be bothered to find out. Also emailed Ford direct by email several months ago and still waiting for a reply!)

[Masked Marauder]

Well according to the TIS you remove the headlight assembly,

 

Open the bonnet and loosen the lower screws

 

http://www.bigtrucker.co.uk/gifs/headlamp_lower_screws.gif

 

then remove the upper screws

 

http://www.bigtrucker.co.uk/gifs/headlamp_upper_screws.gif

 

Next, Remove the assembly

 

http://www.bigtrucker.co.uk/gifs/headlight_remove.gif

 

Then take off the rear cover

 

http://www.bigtrucker.co.uk/gifs/HDHeadlampRear.gif

 

And then move the alignment lever from the 0 position to the T position

 

http://www.bigtrucker.co.uk/Gifs/HDHeadlampMask.gif

 

Finally you put it all back together again, reversing the instructions above.

[chromedome]

Do NOT remove the lower screws, just undo them a couple of turns or you'll lose them.

[Masked Marauder]

Do NOT remove the lower screws, just undo them a couple of turns or you'll lose them.

Yes, the headlamp assembly retaining screws should only be loosened, as the assembly has slots that the screws clamp onto, not screw-holes.

[Guest FlyingDutchMan]

And you might want to consider covering the bumper otherwise the lower clips will scratch the paint on your bumper.

FDM

[fireski]

Many thanks for all the help and advice. I've just had a look at my headlamps. (Very relieved that I did not leave it until just before rolling off the ferry/eurotunnel!!)

 

There are a few details that are different to the TIS drawings;

i) Behind the rectangular electrical component there is an extra screw that holds the back cover.

ii)I could't see any T & O markings.

 

There is a rubber grommet in the back cover that aligns with the internal adjuster. I have drilled the rubber grommet and inserted an alan key through it so as to locate in the adjuster. For the sake of sacrificing a couple of alan keys it will now hopefully be a simple matter of lifting the bonnet and giving each a quarter turn! (Penny pinching for the manufacturers not to have done this in the first place).

 

The lever of each headlamp was in a different position. I have made the assumption that the correct UK position is when the adjuster is rotated a quarter turn clockwise on the nearside and a quarter turn anticlockwise on the offside headlamp. Is this correct? (I think I'd better check after dark!)

[Guest FlyingDutchMan]

Yes, lever is in different position on each. Don't forget to remember which though! Black marker pen writing 'UK' on white plastic next to lever in position as you found them might be helpful.

Yes, how many times i haven't cursed this job which indeed could have been so easy with a screw at the back, quarter turn etc. Every Audi (same lamps i believe!) have it.

FDM

[BrummyGit]

Every Audi (same lamps i believe!) have it.

My 2003 A4 doesn't - same stupid setup as the galaxy I'm afraid.

 

I'm just waiting for my Galaxy to be delivered (with Xenons). Does this mean I can just fit a couple of Allen Keys - I travel to mainlain europe quite often and it would be a big bonus?

 

Could I pierce the grommits and fit the keys without removing the headlights? I read that I need VAG-COM to reset the self levelling if I remove the lamp units.

[BrummyGit]

My first trip away is imminent now. Can you help me find the grommits and hopefully adjust my headlights at the ferry terminal as I will travel overnight.

 

Is it the grommits I can see without removing anything - they have 4 recesses (like holes) in the grommit is a square and are between the electronics box (ballast??) and where the rear of the headlamp protudes further. They are quite high towards the top of the lamp unit.

 

Also any idea of the allen key size and how far they need to turn?

 

Thanks

[chromedome]

Amazingly there is enough cable to remove the headlights a fair way without disconnecting them, therefore, you shouldn't have to reset anything.

[BrummyGit]

OK I've had a chat with Fireski (to whom I am very grateful) and also done some tinkering so here are my findings - hopefully they can help someone else in the future:

 

I took the o/s headlamp out and discovered that as chromedome states, there is enough slack cable to work on the lamp unit without disconnecting. I also wished I had maked with a white pen or some tipex/paint/nail varnish the exact position of the lamp unit mountings are there is a little slack in all the mountings allowing you to refit slightly out of alignment. That said main seems to have gone back pointing exactly where it did before.

 

The is a grommit high up on the back of the lamp unit between the electronics box (ballast??) and where the back protrudes further. If you take this out there is an allen headed adjuster screw as previously mentioned. This takes a 6mm allen key, although it is actually wider and tapers to a 6mm bottom. I am going to do some digging to see if there is a special tool or external adjuster available elsewhere is the VAG group that fits this better than the allen key, but with the right length key you can operate the adjuster without removing the lamp.

 

Ideally an external adjuster that fits in place of the gromit would be a bonus - hopefully I'll follow the A4 lead in this thread and find something.

 

The adjuster only turns about 20-30 degrees.

 

The adjuster does not change over to full european dip setting (as I was expecting) but instead converts your headlamps from an asymetric beam pattern to a simple flat beam suitable for use on either side of the road - this means you can make the adjustment before you go.

 

The plastics around this area are rough cut and very sharp - I have a nice slice out of my thumb as proof.

[camper]

I have a 2005 2.3 zetec.

 

Just taken my headlights off as I expected to be able to adjust my lights as per the instructions above. However there is no adjustment lever !!

 

Nor does there appear to be any other way of adjusting them

 

 

From the outside they look the same as the instruction.

 

Anyone any ideas. Do I just buy the beam benders and stick them on.

 

Derek

[Marky]

Camper...the instructions listed above are for XENON headlights not the standard halogens you have got fitted. If you do a search on this subject you will find that someone has posted the TIS info for the templates needed to mask the beam, print them out, cut them out and mask away!!

The easiest way to do it though is to get a pair of the plastic headlamp protectors from the dealers, these have the areas that need to be masked etched into them so its just a case of filling them in.

 

HTH

 

Mark