Adjusting Headlamps for Driving in Europe

[Philedge]

Just had another look and I still can see them!! I'm taking the black cover off the back of the near side outer lamp(low beam) and all I can see is a lamp connector, a black box on the bottom of the lamp housing and a couple of pairs of wires tie wrapped to housing.

Am I looking in the right place?

 

[television]

I can Email the instructions with pictures.

 

[EmilysDad]

Just had another look and I still can see them!! I'm taking the black cover off the back of the near side outer lamp(low beam) and all I can see is a lamp connector, a black box on the bottom of the lamp housing and a couple of pairs of wires tie wrapped to housing.

Am I looking in the right place?

on mine it's more of a case of putting your finger inside & feeling for it

 

[Philedge]

I can Email the instructions with pictures.

That would be great. Its phill dot edge at yahoo dot co dot uk

To EMILYSDAD. With not knowing anything about Xenons I didn't want to risk knocking something off or touching something I shouldn't, like getting grease on quartz halogen lamps- that sort of thing. Happy to have a fiddle once I've got a clue where I'm going and what I'm looking for

 

[television]

All sent

 

[Philedge]

I think I've found it but will check tonight when its dark and I can see any changes. The one behind the SBC controller looks a pig to get to!!

In the guide you sent me it refers to model 230 with code 614 for the Bi Xenons. The datacard for my 230 says its got code 618 Bi xenons. Do you know what the difference in the code numbers is, other than 4??

 

[television]

Good point could this be STAR only adjust

 

[whitenemesis]

SA code 614 = Bi-Xenon headlamps for Right hand traffic

SA code 618 = Bi-Xenon headlamps for Left hand traffic

 

[Philedge]

Great. So I assume that both codes 614 and 618 are lever adjustable, just working in opposite directions. I'll have a play in the dark later and post back.

Out of interest do the high voltage bits in the light discharge as soon as the lights are turned off, or is their some capacitance that needs a bit of time to discharge?

 

[television]

Yes its all dead once the lamps are off, nothing to hold any charge.

 

[Philedge]

Had a play last and worked it all out. The "lever" that operates the adjuster is a short stubby bit of white plastic with square end and an open centre so it looks like an electrical connector shell with the wire bit missing. I think that there maybe a "tool" or an extension piece that goes inside the white bit to make reaching it easier, but you can reach it without the extension.

The lever on mine dropped off because the retaining clip wasnt seated properly so I ended up taking the light unit out to sort it all out! The actual shutter that the lever operates blocks out the raised bit of light intended to illuminate the kerb in the UK so you are left with a flat cut off line of light without the raised bit of light to the left(UK spec)

You push the white lever DOWN for Euro driving to mask the raised light on the left and then release the lever. To revert to UK driving push the lever UP and release which moves the shutter to give the raise light on the left.

Adjuster the left side light first so you get the feel for what needs to be done- the right side with the SBC unit right up against the light is a tw*t

The picture below shows the shutter adjuster with the white lever removed-its at the end of the screwdriver shaft. I've got hi res photos of the lever in place but cant attach them! PM me if you need a bigger photo

 

[EmilysDad]

... The actual shutter that the lever operates blocks out the raised bit of light intended to illuminate the kerb in the UK so you are left with a flat cut off line of light without the raised bit of light to the left(UK spec) ....

makes an asymmetrical headlight into symmetrical

 

[Philedge]

Yes.

Must be one of the most long winded changes of light for euro driving I've done due to poxy lever dropping off- wheel off, bumper end off, light unit out, tinker and reverse. I'm an expert at it for today until I go to sleep tonight and forget it all!!!! Got some good pics and a sketch as insurance for next time

 

[television]

I actually changed mine on the ferry while waiting to get of and I have the biggest hands ever made

 

[Philedge]

You must have hands like ET to get past the SBC unit and reach in!!

Didn't quite cut the skin on the back of my hand but it was painful to get past the SBC mounting bracket. If I'd have thought on while a I had the light unit out I could have shown the wife the lever and let her dainty hands do it!!

 

[EmilysDad]

Yes.

Must be one of the most long winded changes of light for euro driving I've done ...

Not that I've done it ...... but the Euro swap on her Smart involves removing the headlight & moving a clamp over to the LHD setting. Though not difficult it's not something you'd want to do on the ferry/tunnel. They're bad enough on the Omega I've got due to lack of access & the fact that for any setting, one lever is up & t'other's down .... I can never remember which way is which! :lol:

 

[glasgow_sierra]

Hi all, please forgive me asking, but I'm not quite sure what is meant by Model xyz?
My car is a 2003 CL, first I had a look through the dash settings, nothing there. Inside the lamp, there isn't anything obvious to switch, i've attached a picture of what is inside.
The white thing on the left is possibly what philedge was talking about?
Thanks

 

[Philedge]

The white thing on the left is indeed the adjuster. Very good picture

 

[glasgow_sierra]

I assume I need to move the metal bar inside it? Do you know which direction? Access is extremely tight, so very hard to see what it connects to/how it works.

 

[Philedge]

Its just the plastic lever that you move. MB may make a tool to insert inside the white plastic bit, but you can do it without.

The lever operates a rotating shutter, which you cant see, that moves through roughly 20 degrees. The note I have says the shutter has to rotate clockwise for UK and anti clockwise for Euro- viewed from the rear.

If you push your lever up it will pivot and the end touching the shutter will move down and push the shutter anticlockwise. Best check it in the dark with the lights shinning on a wall to be sure. The lever will spring back to the centre position so you can do the reverse when back in the UK.

Hope that all makes sense.