C5 X7 - Headlamp height adjuster / Communication Error

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C5 X7 - Headlamp height adjuster / Communication Error

Post by Adam82 »

Hi all,
First post... Be gentle.

I've now had my X7 for a little over two months.

I cannot manually adjust the vertical adjustment any further. The near-side dipped headlight is still pointing so low that the end of the beam-end is only two metres away from the car.

Diagbox cannot interact at all the the headlights.

My car is a Citroen C5 X7 2.0 HDI 165 PS Executive

I have attached all the codes from Diagbox.

Adam.
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Re: C5 X7 - Headlamp height adjuster / Communication Error

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Hi and welcome Adam. PS it's an 'Exclusive' not an 'Executive', PSA don't do Executives :-D

(Note to James: I have the VIN from the screenshots!)

Ok, so this is an easy one for a change. Basically you can ignore almost all of the above.

The speed faults are perfectly normal - it is as a result of the diagnostic equipment interrogating the ESP ECU - this causes the speed fault codes and can be ignored and ditto with the suspension - as this is related to the ESP fault just described.

All those grey areas on the global test are perfectly fine - they are for options you do not have fitted.

The one fault you do have is on the rear parking sensors - specifically the rear left hand side, second one in from the left. That is faulty according to the diagnostics. This will prevent the whole system from operating when there is a sensor fault.

As for the Headlamp. There is nothing for Diagbox to interact with - you do not have Bi-Directional Xenon Discharge Headlamps - just the standard Halogen ones, so there is no ECU to interact with.

If you have manually adjusted the headlamp beam, I think you have overdone it. If you have manually changed a headlamp bulb recently, then this is the likely suspect if it has not been seated correctly.

In any case, what you need to do is get it down to ATS (that do MOTs) or somewhere decent that has a beam setting adjustment tool and get them to readjust it back to how it should be. You'll never get it right manually, and shouldn't adjust these yourself without the correct kit as it has the potential to blind oncoming drivers and cause an accident at night. Just make sure the headlamp bulb is seated correctly first and they should be able to adjust them for you for a few quid.

Lastly, your F303 fault is related to an incorrect configuration of the Independent Telematic Unit.

Have you attempted to (accidentally or deliberately) change anything? If so the configuration has been left in an incomplete state and the system is not now operational until resolved. This means you the emergency assistance system in an accident won't be able to make a call until this is resolved.
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Re: C5 X7 - Headlamp height adjuster / Communication Error

Post by Paul-R »

When I changed the headlights on my daughter's Renault Clio they immediately failed the MOT because one couldn't be adjusted. The cause was the rod from the motorised adjuster had disengaged from the internal reflector. The garage told me that it would be difficult to reconnect but I recall it was quite easy.
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Re: C5 X7 - Headlamp height adjuster / Communication Error

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

Before taking the car to a mechanics (such as ATS) to check the headlight alignment make sure the bulbs have been fitted correctly. If they are upside down (for example) the beams will not match up to the reflectors, and will cause an incorrect pattern. This is because all headlight bulbs are 'keyed' (the rim is roughly D shaped), and if they are not seated correctly they will not be in the focal point of the reflector. H4 bulbs (being twin filament with an internal reflector) will have a dramatic beam failure if they are fitted incorrectly.
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Re: C5 X7 - Headlamp height adjuster / Communication Error

Post by Adam82 »

Hi Marc,
Thanks for the promt replay.
I forgot to mention the parking sensors and highbeam.
The car notifies me every time I start the engine. I saw how much new sensors cost but have an eye on a used one on eBay.

This is tricky to explain. The offside headlight seems ok.
A few weeks back I parked my car about 1 metre up to the garage door and adusted the nearside headlight until the ajustment couldn't turn any more. The beam was still pointing lower but the high beam now points right up into the trees!
I know the dipped beam needs to be a bit like (1) in the attached picture.
On the motorway I can just see my car's shadow in front, that's how poor the lights are. When a car is passing me by, their headlights shine much futher up the road than mine.
And cars with LED lights... Well I really do see the silhouette of the C5 in front of me.


Adam.
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Re: C5 X7 - Headlamp height adjuster / Communication Error

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Hell Razor5543 wrote: 15 Feb 2020, 13:51 and if they are not seated correctly they will not be in the focal point of the reflector. H4 bulbs (being twin filament with an internal reflector) will have a dramatic beam failure if they are fitted incorrectly.
GiveMeABreak wrote: 15 Feb 2020, 13:31 If you have manually adjusted the headlamp beam, I think you have overdone it. If you have manually changed a headlamp bulb recently, then this is the likely suspect if it has not been seated correctly.
There are no H4 bulbs on the X7.
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Re: C5 X7 - Headlamp height adjuster / Communication Error

Post by GiveMeABreak »

So the first thing to do is check the bulbs are fitted the correct way as has been well covered now - then get the alignment one properly. If you are not happy with the quality of the light throw or range - it is also a possibility that the bulbs may have been replaced with cheap or fake bulbs by the previous owner. Even Amazon and places like that are flooded with fakes.

So you might want to consider replacing the bulbs with a proper set from an authorised reseller (not ebay or Amazon) and compare the difference - or consider a legit premium upgraded bulb that can provide a brighter light and a longer throw - at the expense of longevity.
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Re: C5 X7 - Headlamp height adjuster / Communication Error

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

I would (very carefully) look at the 'good' headlight to see which way up it is (and to see where the flat side is). Then check that the 'bad' headlight is correctly fitted. If it is not it will be off centre in the reflector area, so that the filament will not be in the focal point of the reflector.

I did not know the X7 doesn't have H4 bulbs, so obviously they are not relevant. The reason I mentioned them is because one of the twin filaments has a reflector deflecting the beam out of the side of the bulb.

You might want to have a look at Lidl. They are doing headlight bulbs at £5 a pair. I have used them for years now, and I have found them to be reliable. The choice is either Xenon Effect, 100% Extra Brightness, or Long Life;

https://www.lidl.co.uk/en/p/car-essenti ... lbs/p29569

Unfortunately Lidl (and Aldi) have not done H1 bulbs for years, which is a shame.

If you decide to get these bulbs make sure to replace them in pairs. If the bulbs are mismatched (say, one is 'Xenon' and the other is 'Halogen') it could distract oncoming drivers, and may (probably is) a driving offence.
Last edited by Hell Razor5543 on 15 Feb 2020, 14:45, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: C5 X7 - Headlamp height adjuster / Communication Error

Post by Adam82 »

Hi all,
I have not fitted new bulbs. But I have just cheaked that they are seated fully and they look like H7's. I can't see any branding on both bulbs though...
I'll get some new bulbs and book the car in at an MOT station later this week.

Adam.
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Re: C5 X7 - Headlamp height adjuster / Communication Error

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Sounds like the sensible thing to do Adam - ensuring proper bulbs, correct fitting and get the lamps adjusted.
X7 lamps.PNG
(10) is an H1 (Main Beam)
(11) are H7s and there is one for the dipped beam, and the second one is for the bend lighting.
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Re: C5 X7 - Headlamp height adjuster / Communication Error

Post by Adam82 »

Hi Marc,
I thought this was going to be difficult at the start of the post.
I'm off to eurocarparts in 10 for some Bosch Bulbs. Any idea as to why the Osram's are £12.49 as to the Bosch ones being £4.39???

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Re: C5 X7 - Headlamp height adjuster / Communication Error

Post by myglaren »

If the Osrams are "Nightbreakers" they are a higher output bulb.
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Re: C5 X7 - Headlamp height adjuster / Communication Error

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

Be aware that, on occasion, forum members have had issues with Euro Car Parts. I have only used them a couple of times (one occasion the packaging was split and parts were missing, but as this was found out in the store they immediately ordered a replacement set), but others have found used, faulty parts in the packaging purporting to be a new part.
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Re: C5 X7 - Headlamp height adjuster / Communication Error

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Adam82 wrote: 15 Feb 2020, 14:49 Hi Marc,
I thought this was going to be difficult at the start of the post.
I'm off to eurocarparts in 10 for some Bosch Bulbs. Any idea as to why the Osram's are £12.49 as to the Bosch ones being £4.39???

Adam.
Image
OSRAM are a better quality of bulb and are fitted by the OEM in many cases.

Get the best you can afford - but it is recommended these are replaced together - on opposite sides.

So if replacing the H7 dipped beam, get 2 and do the left and right lamp.

These are the latest OSRAM bulbs and will give you:

https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/osram-ni ... -48177022X
  • Up to 150% more brightness compared to the minimum legal standard
  • Up to 150m long beam
  • Up to 20% whiter light compared to the minimum legal standard
  • More light performance due to innovative laser ablation technology
They are £22.49 for the set of 2 - but should give you a far superior light Adam.
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