Hi guys..

My 57 plate VRS has just failed its MOT on the headlight height (Too low)... It's been lowered on 55mm H&R springs.

Garage say there is no manual adjustment to the headlights and will require plugging into a computer... Is this right??

Previous car was a 59 plate MK4 mondeo... With xenons but could adjust manually...

Help me!

Yup - Xenon's will need to be put into "learning mode". Have a look for someone local to you with VCDS - as far as I know they would be able to do it for you.

Yeah that's what the garage said... But they needed a 'block' code??

Maybe someone with a little more knowledge of VCDS will help you on that one - here's a free bump for you.

This may be a start point for you - http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/cars/xenonalignment.html

You don't actually adjust them with the computer, the adjustment is made manually on the headlight. The adjusters are found by opening the bonnet and crouching down in front of the headlight unit and looking at the inboard side of the headlight unit you will see 2 adjustment screws....one for up/down and one for left/right.

 

Small adjustments can be made manually without plugging in VCDS, but if a larger adjustment is needed then they do need to be in learn mode.  

 

There is a chance that your lowered suspension setup has put the ride height sensor out of range and the Xenon's will not auto level anymore..........if this is the case, then after they are adjusted they will still fail the MOT for not self levelling......but worry about that later!

Edited 24 November, 201411 yr by booke23

My xenons were affected when I lowered my suspension, they still had the auto adjust function but this was out. Simple fix, open bonnet and on each headlight housing is a white circular access point on the top for a 6mm Allen key, and just adjust to the right height.i put mine on an mot ramp and cranked them up as high as legally possible, and hey presto all fixed. No need to plug in VCDS or go down 'learning mode'.no issues since

Thanks for the info guys... Will have a gander tomorrow. Ta

If u don't have any luck at finding the Allen key hole then shout up and I'll take a photo

There are sensors on the suspension front and rear. Lowering a car or jacking it up can knock these sensors out.

 

Sometimes when a fault is detected the xenon's adjust themselves down to their lowest setting as a failsafe to prevent dazzling others.

When u turn the lights on, if they are self testing on start up and rising back to where they started it will need manual adjustment.if the sensor has broken or pulled free it's easy to check, I started a topic about it 2-3 weeks ago.just jack it up on the left and look at the front and rear sensors. If it's a fault with the on board comp then they won't aelf test/level on start up and will require VCDS

All sorted now! The guys who service our work vehicles took pity on me and fixed it while I was our working today. Manually adjusted as per Nixd33's advice. Passed the MOT with no advisories!! Chuffed. Thanks for the help guys!!

You don't actually adjust them with the computer, the adjustment is made manually on the headlight. The adjusters are found by opening the bonnet and crouching down in front of the headlight unit and looking at the inboard side of the headlight unit you will see 2 adjustment screws....one for up/down and one for left/right.

 

Small adjustments can be made manually without plugging in VCDS, but if a larger adjustment is needed then they do need to be in learn mode.  

 

 

 

If you're doing this manually, is it OK to do it with the lights on? I hesitate to ask as I'm assuming that you need to see the level, but I don't want to be messing up the self-leveling. The local dealership have recently sorted a previous problem with the levels but they're still lower than they used to be!

I did mine with the lights on and had no issues!

I did mine with the lights on and had no issues!

 

Excellent news. May go and have a look now.

Park up against a garage or wAll and have a play!

Before I do, can you over-adjust them?

I'd imagine so, but it's prob obvious when u go too high as the beam will be pointing upwards.u will only need to adjust it by 1 turn at the most is imagine

If you're doing this manually, is it OK to do it with the lights on? I hesitate to ask as I'm assuming that you need to see the level, but I don't want to be messing up the self-leveling. The local dealership have recently sorted a previous problem with the levels but they're still lower than they used to be!

 

Yes, you can adjust them switched on. 

 

If you are using a wall or garage door as a reference point, make very small adjustments and then go for a drive......a small adjustment against a wall = a big change when you are on the open road!