Hi,

I have previously started a post on here regarding the very poor, probably dangerous range of my headlights, it seemed a common thread. 

 

Took the car to my local VAG specialist for an oil service and asked them to check the headlights, they took the car to a local MOT station and had them checked, came back saying they are set up correctly from a MOT perspective. To me the beam is still too far short and I have to drive at very slow speeds on unlit roads.

 

I am looking for suggestions/ideas on how I go about getting this very annoying problem resolved quickly especially with the dark nights drawing in.

 

Thanks In advance.

Tony

What trim level? "Superb 3 Executive" I assume you mean the SE L with bi xenons?

 

 

Hi Sorry yes the spec is  SE L with bi xenons.

 

Never had ANY issues with mine, apart from the Matrix LEDs we now have on both of our cars they were the best headlights I have had. 
 

50% of my driving is done at night on poorly lit roads. 

The low beam range on my Superb Bi-xenons r spot on, from factory.

See the vid of mine below - will give u an idea of how it should b normally.

Sounds like urs needs adjusting.

 

https://youtu.be/v3BgUfsupkM

 

Great video, your lights are brilliant compared to mine.

 

To the dealer this Friday for a light check and see where go from there.

 

Thanks JR RS

I had the same problem, went to a dealer, they checked the lights and said that they are ok, but they were still too low. So I just adjusted them with an 5mm allen key and that was it. 

Guys,

Tried manual adjustment of the headlights but cant be sure of the correct direction of the adjustment raise the beam, is it clockwise or counterclockwise?

Regards

Tony

I wouldn't be adjusting them in the daylight anyway.

park close to a fence / garage door, mark the floor where the centre cap of the front wheels is.

Turn on headlights and mark the fence or door with tape (including the 'kick up'

turn the screw whilst watching the beam raise / lower or move sideways (wrong screw in this case)

 

However with xenons this shouldn't really be done without putting the headlights into their 'service position' otherwise when the lights do their start up dance the lights can pop off the adjusters or worse still bottom out and break.

Gizmo,

How do I put the headlights into service position?

Thanks

Tony

You will need either VCDS or a similar diagnostic tool

1 hour ago, Gizmo said:

However with xenons this shouldn't really be done without putting the headlights into their 'service position' otherwise when the lights do their start up dance the lights can pop off the adjusters or worse still bottom out and break.

 

 

I don't believe this is true...

 

 

At least from all the VAG headlights I've seen inside, there are two separate mechanisms:

- one for the manual adjustment via the adjustment screws

- one for the servos to automatically adjust the aim

 

These two systems are completely separate so even if the manual adjustment is completely min'ed/max'ed out, there is no risk of popping off or bottoming out.

 

Just as an example, take a look at the picture below:

- the three white bits connect to the headlight and the two manual adjusters

- the inner frames are moved by servos between the inner/outer to give the automatic movement

 

All the 'service position' does is return the servos to their home position and relearn what 'level' is based on the suspension sensors ready for adjustment.

 

For minor adjustments where the suspension etc hasn't been touched, it should be perfectly safe to do it without 'service mode'

 

Maybe this has changed then?

 

I know RT used to recommend putting them into the service position for this reason.

So my range was short aswell and I've just used OBD11 and activated basic settings in the control module and that has seems to have worked! 

 

 

Hi Awesam

Thanks for the reply, where would I get an obd11 from and is it easy to use?

Thanks

Tony

13 hours ago, Supernovas said:

Hi Awesam

Thanks for the reply, where would I get an obd11 from and is it easy to use?

Thanks

Tony

Amazon sell it or buy direct

 

OBDeleven

 

I've got the Pro pack, here the difference:

 

BASIC FEATURES

---

• One-Click applications
• Full scan
• Automatic vehicle identification from VIN
• Reading / clear trouble codes from all control units
• Reading information about the control unit
• Diagnostic data log sharing via email
• Battery status
• History of connected cars
• Engine, Equipment, and fault code lookup
• Advanced control unit information

• Live data
• Charts (in development)
• Gauges (in development)
• Sub control units information
• Vehicle information
• User manuals (in development)
• Manuals developer (in development)
• Garage
• Car backup and programming history
• Output test

 

MORE WITH PRO 

---

• Coding / Long coding
• Coding II (in development)
• Sub control units coding
• Diagnostic service change
• Control unit reset (UDS)
• Login finder (in development)
• Security access
• Security database

 

• Adaptation / Long adaptation
• Trouble code Freeze frame
• Basic settings
• Gateway auto code (in development)
• Gateway installation list coding
• Coding/Long coding/Adaptation labels development (in development)
• Live data labels development (in development)
• Control unit backup
• EEPROM (in development)

Can confirm that the range back to normal, wasn't too sure if they were too high however no has flashed me yet so I'm assuming its ok!

I did a quick check on mine at the weekend. If you have a mostly flat surface - like a carpark - you should be able to see that the kick upwards / edge of the main light pool lands at around 35 yards / metres / paces from the front of the car. That's where mine are and they light the road really well. This is with Bi-Xenons, an empty car and engine running. I saw this because there was a convenient step in the asphalt... I would suggest finding a convenient kerb or wall and moving until the edge of the light pool is visible and then measuring.

 

If a basic setting might fix it, surely it's easier to find a member with VCDS / OBD 11 / VCP that could do it for beer money than buying your own?

 

Happy to help out anyone in the midlands.

I'm in the Milton Keynes area if anyone can help out for beer tokens.

Hi,

Update so far.

 

Tried a full anticlockwise turn of the headlight adjusters, couldn't see too much movement when watching the light beam on my garage door, so I need a dark country lane where I can measure the beam length.

Alternatively need an OBD 11 to investigate settings or spend £130 quid or Osram light bulbs, can't afford much more expenditure on the car after timing belt, insurance excess, 5 tyres, oil service and MOT.

This is proving to be a real pain and a dangerous one at that.

Thanks for all your support

Tony

Either ur doing something wrong, or there is something mechanically wrong with ur headlights.

 

When parked 7m or so from a wall, the changes r obvious, even with small quarter turns with the Allen key.

 

Make sure ur not adjusting the horizontal (side to side) adjusters.