the headlight adjuster from the dashboard in my felicia no longer works, i had a look and it seems to be liquid filled? it looks like an air lock? any ideas how to get this working as one headlight is aiming high!

thanks

the headlight adjuster from the dashboard in my felicia no longer works, i had a look and it seems to be liquid filled? it looks like an air lock? any ideas how to get this working as one headlight is aiming high!

thanks

I think the entire unit is shot once they've leaked. Although I would have thought that when they fail the light goes low.

When mine went, I ended up cutting the pipe that leads into the back of the headlight, pulling the adjuster out (twist and pull) then adjusting the screw that sticks out, then putting it back (lather, rinse and repeat as required). Adjuster no longer works, but the lights light up the road again now :-)

Of course, someone else will now post that you could fix it with a toothpick, an eggbox and some sticky-back plastic ;-)

Alex

Edited 4 December, 201015 yr by RainbowFore

It's a sealed system, and the only option is to replace it as a unit (about £70 for the part). Both the adjusters on mine have cracked underneath where the metal pipe junction is set into the plastic body (which seems to me to be a glaring design flaw) and I assume the fluid has leaked out from there - mine had virtually no fluid left in either side when I got it. As I recall, there's need to cut the pipes to get them out, but I can't now remember whether that's possible without unscrewing the light units from the body first.

One of my many ongoing plans is to get hold of another knackered set or two and work out how to repair and refill them, since I think it's stupidly wasteful to have to replace the lot

It's a sealed system, and the only option is to replace it as a unit (about £70 for the part). Both the adjusters on mine have cracked underneath where the metal pipe junction is set into the plastic body (which seems to me to be a glaring design flaw) and I assume the fluid has leaked out from there - mine had virtually no fluid left in either side when I got it. As I recall, there's need to cut the pipes to get them out, but I can't now remember whether that's possible without unscrewing the light units from the body first.

One of my many ongoing plans is to get hold of another knackered set or two and work out how to repair and refill them, since I think it's stupidly wasteful to have to replace the lot

Ah, I cut mine purely as I knew it was shot and it made it easier to get out. To be honest, the truck is never going to carry a load heavy enough to need the lights adjusted.

From what I recall, the headlight end has a 2nd nipple on it. (Never looked at the dashboard end) I assume theres something similar in the dashboard. The two lights are effectively on 2 pressure circuits (on mine one went before the other), but I think you're into specialist toy terratory to get the dash valve open and pump fluid (mine looked pale blue, like screenwash) in to the required pressure / amount.

Also the passenger side runs below the radiator, so you'd need to get that out of the way too, if you're going to replace it. Seems a lot of faffing about for something I suspect we rarely use.

Alex

True, but I often carry enough tools and stuff in the back of my estate that I'd be dazzling people if my lights weren't pointing far lower than they should be to begin with

I agree that replacing the whole system just isn't worthwhile, but I'm the kind of fussy git that just doesn't like having things that don't work as they should. Mechanically it looks very simple - I intend to rip apart some spare bits so I can figure out a few details and hopefully be able to repair mine without removing it from the car. If I manage it I'll be sure to share the details.

I agree that replacing the whole system just isn't worthwhile, but I'm the kind of fussy git that just doesn't like having things that don't work as they should. Mechanically it looks very simple - I intend to rip apart some spare bits so I can figure out a few details and hopefully be able to repair mine without removing it from the car. If I manage it I'll be sure to share the details.

If you do that would be a guide I'd be very interested in seeing.

Sorry for the late reply!

The fluid in my system is also light blue/screen wash type colour, as at first i thought it was screen wash pipework!

So if i remove the light, i can cut out the pipework and then replace the lamp and adjust from the engine bay with a screwdriver?

my lights are very low on the road, so yes they have dropped, but on main beam it would appear the R/H lamp is high!

Anywhere i can get a PDF of a manual?

First off I'd check if you can correct it with the regular wing-nut type adjustment knobs (outer ones for vertical, inner ones for horizontal) - you'll need to take the lid off the airbox to reach the o/s one unless you've got spider-fingers.

The hydraulic actuators can't be altered while fitted, unfortunately. They're a bayonet fit into the light housing, but there may not be enough slack in the pipes to allow them to turn far enough to remove (but try it first, you never know), hence either undoing the light fitting so you can give it a bit more slack, or cutting the pipe. If you've got one that still works, I'd recommend not cutting that one because it'll be a handy reference. Once you've got the actuator out, you'll see the end of the piston can be screwed in or out to adjust where it sits in the '0' position, so if you set the one that works to 0 and then screw the dead one out til it's the same length, they'll match and save you a potentially fair amount of trial and error. Then pop it all back together and dial the last bit of adjustment in by hand with the knobs.

If the main beam doesn't seem to agree with the dipped beam, I'd check and probably replace that bulb too, as it may well be wonky due to falling apart or just poorly made to begin with.

I've just put one for sale on eBay, quite possibly going cheaper than the ~£70 normal price as I've listed it starting at 99p