3008 Headlamp adjustment faulty

[RichardW]

In the office today(!), set off this morning and the lights come on, to be greeted with BING! and a message saying Automatic Headlamp Height Adjustment Faulty. Hmm. This has the swivelling HDI lamps, so place your bets as to whether it's a simple height sensor fault, or if it's a fault with one (or more!) of the ruinously expensive headlamp units! Will plug in the DiagBox later and see what it says.

[GiveMeABreak]

My first guess would be height corrector (s) followed by a faulty unit / ballast, which can put the lights into refuge mode. When in refuge mode, they should (if possible) retain vertical adjustment, but will cut off the horizontal directional movement.

They should self-test when starting up where they go through the up down left right test. See if they do this tonight when it's dark and easier to see against a wall or something Richard.

If you need a hand with the fault codes (if any) just shout.

[RichardW]

Computer points the finger at the rear sensor. A look underneath confirms....

The link is MIA Not available separately and the sensor is over £200 and I can't easily find one so it would have to be Pug. Given the price, there must be scope for having a go at making a link first!!

[RichardW]

Got it on the ramps today. In fact the link is still there, the top joint has seized up causing the bottom plastic fitting to break off the suspension cross beam. However, I've seen some daft things in my time, but this is well up there. The sensor, in a pretty exposed position under the car, is fitted with PHILLIPS screws FFS, and the bracket is riveted to the car. Needless to say the bottom screw is a rusty blob, so the sensor is not easily coming out. Not even sure how I would get it off, there isn't room to get in to drill them out, so I think would just have to smash it. Anyway there was enough pin left on the bottom, and I got the top joint freed up, so it's wired back on. Will see if it stays - it's only temporary - unless it works!!

Recommend that anybody who's got these gets some lube on the ball joints!!

[GiveMeABreak]

Rivets? That's daft and it seems they expect it to be re-rivetted when removed too:

The bracket (3) has to be in contact with the crossmember (as "d").

You're probably aware, but watch out if removing it Richard, as they say the headlights need a headlight calibration performed after replacement of a height sensor or control unit, and after any operation on the suspension necessitating the uncoupling of the link rod or the removal of the sensor.

Calibration of the headlamps is done in the following conditions:

The vehicle in running order (vehicle empty with all systems filled)
Vehicle on a level surface
Check tyre pressures
Front wheels straight ahead
The vehicle should not be loaded, with no-one on board
Slacken the parking brake
Set the gearbox in neutral

Carry out:
A headlamp calibration procedure using a diagnostic tool
Reading and erasing fault codes using a diagnostic tool

[RichardW]

It's other bracket that the sensor mounts to which is riveted to the car above the cross member, no room to drill the rivets out.

I cleared the code, but didn't run the calibration. Figured that since I had reconnected the same leg it would be OK. I'm assuming that the calibration just programs the normal height at whatever resistance it is reading.

[GiveMeABreak]

I think it's to do with the self-check to make sure it's within tolerances after removing any part of the rod or sensor.

Disconnect the connector "/" (as "a").
Unclip the electrical harness (as "b").
Unclip the link (as "c").
Drill the 2 rivets (1).
Remove the sensor (2).

[RichardW]

Ah yes, looking at the parts dia it comes with the bracket. Gawd knows how you are supposed to drill the rivets out above the rear axle....

[RichardW]

Temp repair mark 1 lasted 18 months - joint had gone stiff again and broken the wire off. Freed up again, wired it back on, and liberally greased it, perhaps will get 2 years this time!

[GiveMeABreak]

[measaura]

This happened to me few months back just a few weeks after I changed the HID bulb. I thought I accidentally broke the motor. After going through this forum and this thread, I checked the level sensor at the back. Found that the connecting rod between the sensor and the rear axle has disconnected. Upon closer examination, saw that the clip which holds the arm to the ball joint was missing.

I take an 8 mm plastic tube, push it onto the ball, fit the disconnected arm onto it, and use a self taping screw to hold it in place. Works good till now.


Dinas.