Headlight coming out of adjustment

[az3579]

A few days ago, I noticed that my driver's side headlight was aimed way upwards. I adjusted both headlights to an appropriate level when I installed the FX-R's a couple of months ago, so I was surprised to see this. It stayed like this for a couple of days because it was too cold to take my intake out to adjust the vertical level.

Yesterday morning, it was still like this. In the afternoon, however, the level was fine, and matched the position I adjusted it to originally.

This morning, it's way up again. Does anyone have a clue as to what on earth is going on? Is it possible that my adjustment motor is having an issue?

Here are some pictures. In the first pic, you can see the two varying levels on light on the pole. The lower cutoff is the passenger headlight, aimed where it should be. The higher cutoff is the driver's side. You can actually see the stop sign in the background lit up; that's how high the beam is aimed! It is blinding other drivers...

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160107/fdc21146af136dfd1a87c6726580b11b.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160107/0ce5335a3a6902b2d35d71f67b0f5b3f.jpg

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[TheFinanceGuy]

HOLY COW! I thought I was going nuts! Mine has done this a few times as well. However, I I thought I was just being hypersensitive. I haven't noticed it lately though.

[cakM3]

I have the same issue with my car as well....

[anandoc]

I have the same issue as well (FX-R 3.0).

BP, you might also want to disconnect the level sensor wire at the back of the headlamp to see if that maybe causing it. I did that and now the issue is almost fixed...The right and left cut-offs are sometimes not at the same level but its very very minor.

The vertical and horizontal aim screws are easily accessible once you pop open the hood...why would you need to take out the intake? Or is it different on AL assemblies?

EDIT: I have ZKW housings

[terraphantm]

Mine did that too. Everyone here have ZKW housings? Never happened on my M3

[TheFinanceGuy]

I have the ZKW housing.

[az3579]

The vertical and horizontal aim screws are easily accessible once you pop open the hood...why would you need to take out the intake? Or is it different on AL assemblies?

EDIT: I have ZKW housings

I have to take my intake out because of the GruppeM's shape. It completely blocks the adjustment screw.



Mine did that too. Everyone here have ZKW housings? Never happened on my M3


I have the ZKW housing.
I have ZKW housings as well.

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[cakM3]

.....so..... anyone know what's the cause of this issue???

[WOLFN8TR]

Is the plastic adjuster screw stripped?

[az3579]

Is the plastic adjuster screw stripped?

No; I've adjusted my headlight successfully after getting them back from Lightwerkz in November, so the adjustments are fine.

[WOLFN8TR]

Roger...

[terraphantm]

.....so..... anyone know what's the cause of this issue???

My guess would be the stepper motors going bad, but apparently the ALs and ZKWs use the same stepper motors, which makes it seem odd that it seems to only be effecting ZKWs, at least in this thread.

[az3579]

Charlie and I are going to adjust our headlights tonight so we'll see if the adjustments stay.

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[WOLFN8TR]

:fingerscrossed

[az3579]

Came out of adjustment again. Sigh.

[cakM3]

?!?!?!?!?!??????


Can't say too much about my headlights as I haven't driven the ///M since we adjusted them....I'm now driving my ZHP full-time...

[anandoc]

Came out of adjustment again. Sigh.

Did you disconnect the vertical leveling connectors? I did that and my headlamps have stayed put.

[az3579]

I wouldn't know which one it was if there was a sign on it saying "ME ME ME ME ME!" lol

[terraphantm]

I wouldn't know which one it was if there was a sign on it saying "ME ME ME ME ME!" lol

It's the 4-pin/wire connector kinda towards the top of the housing

[az3579]

By disconnecting this cable, I would effectively lose auto-leveling, wouldn't I? My auto level works perfectly fine, so I'd rather not lose that functionality. Do the stepper motors operate off this same connector? If so, I'll disconnect it to see if it makes a difference...

[anandoc]

Yes, the stepper motors work off this connector to provide you with the auto-leveling and disconnecting it would mean you would lose that functionality. But do you really have such a variance in passenger/cargo load that warrants the need for auto-leveling?

[az3579]

Yes, the stepper motors work off this connector to provide you with the auto-leveling and disconnecting it would mean you would lose that functionality. But do you really have such a variance in passenger/cargo load that warrants the need for auto-leveling?

No, but I just spent a lot of money fixing my headlights so I want them to be 100%.

What I will do is temporarily disconnect this connector and aim the headlights again to see if the level will stay. If it doesn't, then at least that'll narrow down what the issue could be. I will then plug 'em back in to see if there's a change. I'm putting my money on stepper motors at this point, but we shall see.

[terraphantm]

By disconnecting this cable, I would effectively lose auto-leveling, wouldn't I? My auto level works perfectly fine, so I'd rather not lose that functionality. Do the stepper motors operate off this same connector? If so, I'll disconnect it to see if it makes a difference...

You'll lose the auto leveling for that side, correct

[anandoc]

What I will do is temporarily disconnect this connector and aim the headlights again to see if the level will stay. If it doesn't, then at least that'll narrow down what the issue could be. I will then plug 'em back in to see if there's a change. I'm putting my money on stepper motors at this point, but we shall see.

BP, any updates on this issue?

[az3579]

BP, any updates on this issue?

Nope. It's been too cold to mess with it.

I did a bit of research and it appears that there is an adjustment motor inside the headlight that works with the autoleveling system. This motor is responsible for moving the headlight up and down when the autoleveling system is active.

I'm thinking that mine is starting to fail but hasn't quite gotten there yet. Sometimes it does align the light correctly and other times it doesn't, but the kicker is that is always moves up and down when it should. It's a cheap enough part that I can just try to put in. The control module must work fine because everything to do with the headlight's operation works; all lights illuminate, autoleveling works, shutter works. I've read a thread about someone's adjustment motor failing altogether, where the headlight wouldn't autolevel at all only on one side. I'm thinking perhaps mine is starting to go in that direction... the first link is that thread.

Related threads:

http://www.bmwforums.info/bmw-3-series-forum/2920-self-leveling-headlight-passenger-broken-motor.html
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=588252



The part number for this motor is 67168372381 and costs about $80-90.

https://c1552172.ssl.cf0.rackcdn.com/350536_x800.jpg

[terraphantm]

The ones in my headlight looked more like 67168352206

https://c1552172.ssl.cf0.rackcdn.com/26539_x600.jpg

[az3579]

The part number I posted was straight from RealOEM using my VIN. I wonder why ours would be different... is the part you posted straight from your VIN?

[derbo]

I'll have to see if my cousin has his ZKW in pieces. Is it the same on both AL and ZKWs?

[terraphantm]

I'll have to see if my cousin has his ZKW in pieces. Is it the same on both AL and ZKWs?

The adjusters looked the same as the ALs to me, though I don't know if they're identical. I definitely remember a metal stem however.

[az3579]

The adjusters looked the same as the ALs to me, though I don't know if they're identical. I definitely remember a metal stem however.

It wouldn't be the first time a pic showed one thing but the actual product was something else. :)

[cakM3]

https://c1552172.ssl.cf0.rackcdn.com/26539_x600.jpg

I have a few of these laying around in my garage...

[anandoc]

BP, a good test would be to disconnect the wiring to this motor to figure out whether that is really the problem, no? You can reach this connector if you pop open your hood...no need for any dis-assembly etc.


The adjusters looked the same as the ALs to me, though I don't know if they're identical. I definitely remember a metal stem however.

Yup, my ZKWs have the metal stem in the adjustment motors as well.

[az3579]

BP, a good test would be to disconnect the wiring to this motor to figure out whether that is really the problem, no? You can reach this connector if you pop open your hood...no need for any dis-assembly etc.



Yup, my ZKWs have the metal stem in the adjustment motors as well.

The only thing I disconnected was the topmost connector on my headlight assembly. This one, which apparently controls the autoleveling.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160122/494b47ed401ae48fc9f95b5738c973b4.jpg

That headlight no longer levels, while the other one continues to autolevel. It hasn't moved away from its adjusted position yet...

I'm going to pull the trigger on a new one come payday. Then I won't have to worry about it for a very long time, at least in that headlight.



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[anandoc]

The only thing I disconnected was the topmost connector on my headlight assembly.

Yup, that's the one I was referring to. I hope a new motor solves the auto-leveling problem.