I have browsed all over for info on xenons. I took my car out in the dark tonight, and I noticed when first switched on, my beam dipped down, then adjusted up. On the drive round, I noticed that they did not seem to move from this position, for example when accelerating or breaking.

Is this normal? or as some posts on here seem to imply they need adjusting?:confused:

Sounds normal to me. Its quite common for them to dip and then come back up as they level themselves up. Its more of an issue if they keep moving up and down whilst driving (often termed bouncing).

Could well be that they need a basic setting calibration.

Ok, now I'm confused :confused:. My Xenons dip themselves when I first turn them on (as per the OP) but then don't seem to move once I'm off. I've had the Xenons checked specifically soon after I got the car as the beam aim wasn't correct.

They should self level on start up. Once the car is moving you should see a smooth transition between the varying heights as the car moves.

'Bouncing' is bad.

Thats what I thought, which is what the OP seems to be saying. They don't appear to be bouncing on my car, or the OP, so am I correct in saying they are ok?

Charlie is saying his lights do not seem to move at all under accleration or breaking. Granted it's not a massive movement but they should move with the undulations of the road etc.

Hmmm interesting, looks like I need your assistance again Mr Stu, mine do look rather low on the road so a calibration test or basic setup may be needed?

Thanks for the reply, sorry did not get chance to reply. They don't appear to move at all after the initial flick down then up when first turned on, they just seem to stay in the same position. I have ordered a new stlye VAG COM cable, as my old one does not work on the new car, so if anyone could tell me how to set them up correctly it would be appreciated. I have seen the ross tech guide, but is it the same for Skoda octy 2 and is that all I need to do? thanks again.

where is the guide as i want to check mine, as they can one minute shine a mile down the road and next 20 feet in front and doesnt seem to be as bright as my standard lights on my last car (non xenon).

Courtesy of Ross Tech -

Headlight Adjustment

[select]

[55 - Xenon Range]

[basic Settings - 04]

Group 001

[Go!]

Activate the Basic Setting.

[ON/OFF/Next]

The meas. block field now shows "Wait" and should switch to "Adjust Headlights" then (this may take up to 10 seconds).

Adjust the headlights using their manual adjusting screws as referenced against a suitable aiming target.

[ON/OFF/Next]

The adjustment should now be learned.

[Done, Go Back]

[Close Controller, Go Back - 06]

I wouldn't normally change the headlight aim, simply carry out the basic setting without making an adjustment.

Interesting thread this....

I'm happy with the self-level when the xenons come on but the bounce...hmmmm?

When driving along, all is ok and bumps don't seem to affect the beam. However when I slow for a speed bump, both bump up and down I notice the xenons will give a little bounce on the bumps. Is this normal?

They are pretty severe speed bumps and I don't crawl over them, maybe 5 to 10 mph.

Interesting thread this....

I'm happy with the self-level when the xenons come on but the bounce...hmmmm?

When driving along, all is ok and bumps don't seem to affect the beam. However when I slow for a speed bump, both bump up and down I notice the xenons will give a little bounce on the bumps. Is this normal?

They are pretty severe speed bumps and I don't crawl over them, maybe 5 to 10 mph.

I think that's normal. Unless I'm mistaken, the sensor for the xenons is located on the rear suspension so I presume that severe undulations in the road (eg. sharp speed bumps, potholes etc.) which cause the rear suspension to move about quickly would probably result in the xenon levelling motors mirroring the effect.

This is certainly the observation I have with mine.

Ah, so there are motors in the lights then...suppose there would be for it to do the down-up self level thingy on switch on. By the time the motors react to a speed hump the car has already started to level out hence the slight delay leading to a bounce. They always level out correctly so I presumed they were 100% ok!

Ah, so there are motors in the lights then...suppose there would be for it to do the down-up self level thingy on switch on. By the time the motors react to a speed hump the car has already started to level out hence the slight delay leading to a bounce. They always level out correctly so I presumed they were 100% ok!

This is my line of thought. The only thing I find a little dissapointing with xenons is the almost total lack of dissipated light above the cut-off zone (well I presume this is the case with any projector lens headlight) which means traffic signs aren't illuminated very well.

Thanks for your thoughts. Just noticed your location - I've just come back from 2 days up in Mac and the surrounding area! You may have been one of the many Octys I saw coming in the other direction!

My Octy wasn't out yesterday, was out and about all over the place on Friday though and around town today. Mine was probably the only black octy about (other than yours?) with BRISKODA.net stickers in the rear quarter windows though.

slap wrist....I've not joined brisky yet....the shame....

There are two sensors, one on the rear and one on the N/S front suspension.

There are two sensors, one on the rear and one on the N/S front suspension.

Ah so I was half right.

Is there any kind of computer "smoothing" to iron out sudden jitters, such as on cobbled streets?

Yashicamat

isnt that disturbing after traditional headlights, there is little spill off to light road signs on dip, and there is a blackness between the xenon light and the full beam, its like peering into a dark zone, although obviously its no less bright than the traditional headlights that we were all happy with.

Not sure whether I prefer this to a good halogen (or is it tungsten) headlight???

I have now recieved my VAG Com cable, and went out last night. I had a fault code, that they were not calibrated, so went through the proceedure and now they are ok. It seems this is missed from the PDI. I am supprised this has still not been included. Thanks for all the help.

I had a fault code, that they were not calibrated, so went through the proceedure and now they are ok. It seems this is missed from the PDI. I am supprised this has still not been included. Thanks for all the help.

Seen that a few times before - Glad it's sorted.

Hello everyone,

I had to park the car (octy II) outdoors once and next day onwards the xenons were not leveling at all (even at startup.) Took it to the dealer and they found the electrical wire for the xenon motors was cut by a rat!! They fixed the wire and delivered the car.

Now the xenons auto-level at start up but stay put thereafter even if I am driving on a steep incline. I have the VAG-COM cable and I read everything that is out there. No matter what I do, the xenons are not leveling except during the start up.

I did "measuring blocks" and I notice that all the readings are with in spec range:

Voltage > 12 V

Front Sensor and Rear Sensor values are also with in spec range

When I push the vehicle down (front or boot), the sensor values are changing

"Output tests" are also working fine: the xenons go up, down and settle down in between when I perform the output tests.

"Basic settings" also show "adjust" followed by "learned"

No fault codes in the auto scan.

I am now totally clueless. What else can I try?

Thanks.

AFAIK they only level on start-up and not every time. It depends on any change to the loading of the car e.g. just given it a full tank of fuel or with passengers as opposed to driver only.

They are NOT designed to move during a journey, so if you are going up a steep incline they will naturally point up a bit more as the weight distribution of the car move rearward and squashes the rear suspension down a bit.

PS> Ammendment 25/09/2007 - sorry but have to say I've got this wrong!! Please see posts further on for better info.