Xenon headlight adjustment question

MZWIE · 08-13-2013, 07:53 AM

Even though the car has auto leveling headlights the low beam is simply pointed to low. There must be a way to adjust the endpoints. I want to raise the low beam a bit.

I've been searching all over the site but can't find the answer. Seems I read it before but can't locate the thread.

jzmundy · 08-13-2013, 08:21 AM

IIRC, there are adjustment "screws" on the backside of the headlight. Had to do this to my Z4 as well - I think the screw I adjusted was a white plastic Phillips head.

I'm sure someone will chime in with a better answer. Good luck!

DNG · 08-13-2013, 09:54 AM

Yeah, not sure about adaptive headlights, but my depos have angle adjustment screws using an allen key.

Gray_Panther · 08-13-2013, 11:49 AM

You can access it just by opening the hood. If there are caps in them then just rip them out. You can use an allen wrench or s philip's head screw driver.

awns729 · 08-13-2013, 01:37 PM

For up down adjustment, the screw should be very easy to find looking down over the hood.

MuNkY6913 · 08-13-2013, 06:14 PM

I've taken mine to the dealer 4 times now to get mine adjusted up. Had the bumper and ds headlight replaced and since then they point maybe 4 ft in front of the car. It's so dangerous driving 55 mph at night with low beams on. Dealer said they can't adjust it any more or the high beams will start to point up. Doesn't make a lot of sense. They were fine until the one got replaced. I'm not sure what to make of it. I have no idea how the whole headlight and adaptive features, low beam, high beam and so on work together so I can't even begin to guess how to get this fixed. I was wondering if the auto leveling has something to do with this? I lowered my car an inch all the way around right after the replacement. I noticed that the leveling bar goes from the body to the suspension. I'm wondering if its making them point down. Again I have no idea how all of it works. It's the only thing that is kind of making sense. Anyone else have any actual knowledge?

MZWIE · 08-14-2013, 11:28 AM

The so called headlight adjustment bar is not really attached to the body. The sensor is attached to the frame and the bar is attached to an arm on the sensor.

So all the sensor does is transmit fluctuations between the control arm and the frame.

In my case I just replaced the control arm with M3 parts and I believe low beams are now pointing a little low because the geometry of the new arms in relation to the frame is a bit different.

08-13-2013, 07:53 AM	#1
MZWIE Lieutenant Colonel 388 Rep 1,660 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: GEORGIA iTrader: (0)	Xenon headlight adjustment question Even though the car has auto leveling headlights the low beam is simply pointed to low. There must be a way to adjust the endpoints. I want to raise the low beam a bit. I've been searching all over the site but can't find the answer. Seems I read it before but can't locate the thread.
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08-13-2013, 08:21 AM	#2
jzmundy Major 991 Rep 1,495 Posts Drives: F97 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (6)	IIRC, there are adjustment "screws" on the backside of the headlight. Had to do this to my Z4 as well - I think the screw I adjusted was a white plastic Phillips head. I'm sure someone will chime in with a better answer. Good luck! __________________ Then - E53, E85, E92, E82, F15, F80, G01 Now - F97, Macan S
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08-13-2013, 09:54 AM	#3
DNG Private First Class 9 Rep 135 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (1)	Yeah, not sure about adaptive headlights, but my depos have angle adjustment screws using an allen key.
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08-13-2013, 11:49 AM	#4
Gray_Panther Brigadier General 1555 Rep 3,234 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (0)	You can access it just by opening the hood. If there are caps in them then just rip them out. You can use an allen wrench or s philip's head screw driver. __________________ 2012 BMW 128i 6MT Deep Sea Blue Metallic
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08-13-2013, 01:37 PM	#5
awns729 Lieutenant 33 Rep 419 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 135i Convertible Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: West Nyack, NY iTrader: (4)	For up down adjustment, the screw should be very easy to find looking down over the hood.
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08-13-2013, 06:14 PM	#6
MuNkY6913 The Crowing 111 Rep 2,005 Posts Drives: BMW 135i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: State College, PA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2009 135i [8.00]	I've taken mine to the dealer 4 times now to get mine adjusted up. Had the bumper and ds headlight replaced and since then they point maybe 4 ft in front of the car. It's so dangerous driving 55 mph at night with low beams on. Dealer said they can't adjust it any more or the high beams will start to point up. Doesn't make a lot of sense. They were fine until the one got replaced. I'm not sure what to make of it. I have no idea how the whole headlight and adaptive features, low beam, high beam and so on work together so I can't even begin to guess how to get this fixed. I was wondering if the auto leveling has something to do with this? I lowered my car an inch all the way around right after the replacement. I noticed that the leveling bar goes from the body to the suspension. I'm wondering if its making them point down. Again I have no idea how all of it works. It's the only thing that is kind of making sense. Anyone else have any actual knowledge? __________________ 2009 135i : BMS JB4 G5 ISO,CXRacing FMIC Kit,Injen Cold Air Intake,Evolution Raceworks Charge Pipe,Walboro Inline Fuel Pump, E85 BMS Backend Flash w/ 60% E85,BMS Meth injection (trunkmount),BMS dual meth nozzles,Spec stage 2+ clutch w/ steel SWFW,BMS Catless Downpipes,Berk Tech Race Axleback
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08-14-2013, 11:28 AM	#7
MZWIE Lieutenant Colonel 388 Rep 1,660 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: GEORGIA iTrader: (0)	The so called headlight adjustment bar is not really attached to the body. The sensor is attached to the frame and the bar is attached to an arm on the sensor. So all the sensor does is transmit fluctuations between the control arm and the frame. In my case I just replaced the control arm with M3 parts and I believe low beams are now pointing a little low because the geometry of the new arms in relation to the frame is a bit different.
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