"The classic symptom of not being setup is the 'bouncing' effect".

I have this - I tried to explain it to the local dealer when the car was last in but I think all they did was adjust the beam pattern. How do I get them to set the headlights up correctly? It's annoying as they bounce all the time and when driving on dark country lanes it can even be dangerous!!!

Many thanks

Olly

Sorry to bring up a very old post but didnt see the point making a new one...

Anyway i have xenon on my MK II Pre Facelift Octavia and wondered if anyone could answer some questions that two dealerships and SUK couldnt answer.

1. Headlight condensation is this a typical Skoda thing?? i have the drivers side light full of it yet the passenger isnt and the lights were replaced 2 weeks ago.

2. When switching on should the light beams go down then up EVERY time i switch on the lights??

3. Is there any fix for the shake going over bumps (as you can probably guess the roads are fecking awful just now)

The car goes into the dealers yet again on friday for a whole list of problems.

Heated rear screen not working

Lights misting up

Lights not aligned properly

Headlight switch broken and not illuminating properly

1. I wouldn't say so. Certainly haven't had that issue before. On Skoda No.5, 2 of which have had factory xenons. Daft question but are the covers on properly? If I were trying to DIY a fix I'd get a hairdryer on low heat in there once the light's off the car, just to clear that condensation. Then seal it back up and observe. Could be that a seal has gone elsewhere, but unless you clear the initial build-up you'll never know.

2. Yes.

3. Not sure. Think the original reason for this thread was regarding this, and adjusting VAG-COM settings to suit. It's possibly regarding the coding for the sensor that sits on the rear axle to control the auto height adjustment nature of the factory xenon setup.

Hope you get these issues sorted anyway, amongst those others! Never a good start to ownership, but hopefully it'll then be plain sailing

2. When switching on should the light beams go down then up EVERY time i switch on the lights??

I see Wardy has already answered 'Yes' to this, but I think it is actually each time you start the car engine, not each time you switch the lights on, that the little 'levelling' routine runs. (I asked a similar question a few weeks ago as I had noticed mine only did it some of the time - turns out I was starting the engine then putting the lights on too late to see it happening).

I see Wardy has already answered 'Yes' to this, but I think it is actually each time you start the car engine, not each time you switch the lights on, that the little 'levelling' routine runs. (I asked a similar question a few weeks ago as I had noticed mine only did it some of the time - turns out I was starting the engine then putting the lights on too late to see it happening).

Ah ok i'll try and catch it out then

I had this problem with My MK 1 TT which I think uses the exact set up as the Octavia a few things I figured out using the TT shop manual, VAG COM, searching online and advice

1 Most dealers have no clue how to do this properly I had to show them..finally used a good Skoda dealer to do it not an Audi Dealer. Also its not designed to constantly adjust up and down it only does this when at low speed read below for info why..yes the system adjust right left for cornering up to 40MPH I believe but not up and down during driving above 5MPH.

2 You must interrogate the right block and set it using VAGCOM coding to allow adjustment... the shop manual states to park a certain distance back from a wall.The light will move to a neutral position once block is coded to adjustment value

3 you then adjust manually using screw driver and setting it to certain height on wall and certain alignment left right per Shop Manual

4 you now use VAGCOM to reprogram the block with the learn code so this new level is the neutral level.

5 all done no more blinding anyone..if your still blinding people you may have a broken sensor or your not giving it time to adjust at start up read below.

IF that doesn't work and the levels still seem too low or high use VAG SCOPE Function to scope the two level sensor voltages as you drive (details on ROS TECH site they show up on two dials)watch the laptop or have a friend do it as you drive over hills and bumps the voltage on either sensor isn't moving or moving very little you have a shot sensor.. 150 euro from Audi don't know cost from Skoda. Buy it.. fit it carefully.. kind of difficult as you need two spanners and its plastic arm is fragile and start the process again.

Its easy when you know how but took me three dealers and showing them how its done from my Ross Tech manual for them to get it right.

Search online and at Ross Tech...I also have the Audi TT info but block numbers could be different for Skoda (but are probably the same) and obviously diagrams are wrong but shoes you how the system works, if anyone wants it PM me your email address.

Those of you noticing it moving a lot on start up thats normal.. This usually happens if you park on an incline because the sensors only adjust when you are below 5 MPH and if you drive in quickly park and power off on an incline they don't have time to do so and there is an artificial load/or lack of on the rear axle due to incline....(we all do this when we arrive home switch off quickly and hop out)....therefore they readjust on start up... because of this if you park on an incline like I do at home take you time once pulling off when you reach level ground allowing the lights to adjust.the adjustment is not designed to adjust up and down as you drive at speed its actually designed to adjust for load factors IE heavy trunk or passenger would weigh down back of car and aim lights higher thus blinding people..when you stop to pick up people or luggage it adjust once they board.

Hope this helps some of you and I'm not completely wrong and the Skoda uses a different system altogether but if I am I'm sure someone will let us know very quickly.

I see Wardy has already answered 'Yes' to this, but I think it is actually each time you start the car engine, not each time you switch the lights on, that the little 'levelling' routine runs. (I asked a similar question a few weeks ago as I had noticed mine only did it some of the time - turns out I was starting the engine then putting the lights on too late to see it happening).

Apologies, you're quite right. I misread what was put. I agree - it's every time you start the ENGINE. If you turn off the lights and put them back on while the engine's been running continuously throughout, the lights WON'T go through the startup routine.

Sorry for the confusion