Full Beam lower, too low, different (after service)

[bounderboy]

Always one of those weird things when you go for a service and when it comes out something seems different and it can't be the work that has been done that caused it but its a little coincidental.

Anyway driving in dark tonight had full beam on Auto and when it engaged the full beam seems a lot lower than previously (have had car for over a year) it seems to be very bright on the road in front but doesn't go as far down the road as it used to. Before today the headlights (LED) have been lovely and bright and covered a good distance in front.

They did do a software update for emmissions recall and the oil service/25pt check. Not sure Headlight level would be included in test and car is only a year old.

Anyone had the same thing happen, could it be self levelling failed? Or can i just adjust myself back to where it used to be - really can't stand going in to the garage again..
Thx

 

[drmrbrewer]

@bounderboy did you figure this out? I'm finding that my full beam is just a brighter version of my dipped beam, i.e. same height, just brighter. Not very helpful for increased visibility further ahead when you need it... the dipped beam brightness is already enough to see fine for the immediate road ahead... but with no oncoming traffic I want to see further not brighter, i.e. not just have the near view lit more brightly but to see further ahead! Surely if the height of the dipped beam is set to be below the eyeline of oncoming cars, the full beam can (and should) be higher, since there is no oncoming traffic to dazzle. BTW I don't have a Formentor but a Leon but the same principle applies... and mine is new rather than just back from a service.

 

[bounderboy]

No, I do have to go back in the for the SOS panel to be replaced once they get a part in - which is on back order prob for months.

I wonder if the self levelling isn't working as it definitely feels different. I keep meaning to look if there is a fuse on the self levelling part of the lamp. When they had my car in they looked at fuse box as my USB-C in the rear weren't working.

 

[Dea no]

Check that the headlight lenses / reflectors actually tilt up when you switch the main beams on or ‘flash’ the main beam headlights (not to be confused with the dipped beams self levelling when switched on). I had my VZ2 from new in December and had this issue, not tilting up, along with the cornering lights not working. The dealer sorted the issue out, relatively straight forward, but said they hadn’t come across this issue before. I have since read numerous posts on various forums with cars having this exact issue.

 

[Andy Q]

@bounderboy did you figure this out? I'm finding that my full beam is just a brighter version of my dipped beam, i.e. same height, just brighter. Not very helpful for increased visibility further ahead when you need it... the dipped beam brightness is already enough to see fine for the immediate road ahead... but with no oncoming traffic I want to see further not brighter, i.e. not just have the near view lit more brightly but to see further ahead! Surely if the height of the dipped beam is set to be below the eyeline of oncoming cars, the full beam can (and should) be higher, since there is no oncoming traffic to dazzle. BTW I don't have a Formentor but a Leon but the same principle applies... and mine is new rather than just back from a service.

Did you manage to resolve this ?
I have the same issue.
Firstly I was told that this was by design ie. Flat Beam - which I presume only applies to dipped lights, not main beam. My dealer has already had one go at it and managed to raise my dipped beam a bit which I didn't really want, but the main beam was so poor at the time, it has improved things slightly.

It is going back on Thursday for another look..
I have created a GIF that shows the issue on a country road with trees either side, which are not visible on main beam at all.

 

[drmrbrewer]

@Andy Q I just haven't had the time to allocate to trekking over to the nearest (not so near) dealer to have it looked at, and haven't been doing much night driving. But when I have, I find it disconcerting and verging on dangerous... similar to your GIF, there is absolutely no difference in height/range with full beam, and because LEDs have a sharp cut-off compared to conventional, there's a big visibility dead spot, particular when going down into a dip.

 

[bounderboy]

Did you manage to resolve this ?
I have the same issue.
Firstly I was told that this was by design ie. Flat Beam - which I presume only applies to dipped lights, not main beam. My dealer has already had one go at it and managed to raise my dipped beam a bit which I didn't really want, but the main beam was so poor at the time, it has improved things slightly.

It is going back on Thursday for another look..
I have created a GIF that shows the issue on a country road with trees either side, which are not visible on main beam at all.

I took mine and they fixed it. Don't know what they did to do that but definitely fixed now. When I engage full beam there is very overt upward motion from the lights so if not doing that then I can tell you it's 100% faulty.

 

[Andy Q]

I took mine and they fixed it. Don't know what they did to do that but definitely fixed now. When I engage full beam there is very overt upward motion from the lights so if not doing that then I can tell you it's 100% faulty.

Thanks for that. I did print out your reply and gave it to my dealer. He said that the forums are just someone's opinion ! A little frustrating, but I'm not giving up yet! ideally I'd like to know exactly what needs to be replaced, adjusted , tweaked so that I can tell them exactly what needs to be done to resolve the issue.

 

[bounderboy]

Can you take a bit of video tonight of you activating the full beam and I will do the same when I am next able to, too...

I had mine fixed at Seat Crewe 19th June. It went in for SOS breakdown fault (replace the unit where interior lights are) and Full Beam fix. They are really good there so maybe you could ring and ask what they did to fix.. or get your garage to? My Partial plate is YE** *WL .

 

[Andy Q]

Can you take a bit of video tonight of you activating the full beam and I will do the same when I am next able to, too...

I had mine fixed at Seat Crewe 19th June. It went in for SOS breakdown fault (replace the unit where interior lights are) and Full Beam fix. They are really good there so maybe you could ring and ask what they did to fix.. or get your garage to? My Partial plate is YE** *WL .

Thanks very much for your response. I have passed all of this info to my dealer who I am hoping will use the info to identify the issue.

 

[bounderboy]

Sorted?

 

[Andy Q]

Not sorted yet unfortunately!
Did a long email to my dealer identifying multiple problems and asking for an action plan.
Not heard a thing back.
Unfortunately we only have one dealer in Jersey so I am stuck with them.
I will keep pushing until I get a resolution.

 

[Highdef]

Always one of those weird things when you go for a service and when it comes out something seems different and it can't be the work that has been done that caused it but its a little coincidental.

Anyway driving in dark tonight had full beam on Auto and when it engaged the full beam seems a lot lower than previously (have had car for over a year) it seems to be very bright on the road in front but doesn't go as far down the road as it used to. Before today the headlights (LED) have been lovely and bright and covered a good distance in front.

They did do a software update for emmissions recall and the oil service/25pt check. Not sure Headlight level would be included in test and car is only a year old.

Anyone had the same thing happen, could it be self levelling failed? Or can i just adjust myself back to where it used to be - really can't stand going in to the garage again..
Thx

HI

Just bought a formentor V2 last week.
The full beam lights shines no further than the dipped beams : just illuminate a bit brighter like yours did.
Im having little success from the dealer on understanding what the issue is here and also tried to talk to Crewe Seat to get some indication as to what the fix was. Is there any way you could shed any more light one this (no pun intended) so I can push for support locally here in Reading Berks.
Any support warmly welcomed.
Thanks

 

[Andy Q]

HI

Just bought a formentor V2 last week.
The full beam lights shines no further than the dipped beams : just illuminate a bit brighter like yours did.
Im having little success from the dealer on understanding what the issue is here and also tried to talk to Crewe Seat to get some indication as to what the fix was. Is there any way you could shed any more light one this (no pun intended) so I can push for support locally here in Reading Berks.
Any support warmly welcomed.
Thanks

@Highdef Please let me know if you manage to get a resolution on this. My Leon is booked in again with my local dealer for a full diagnostic check (as recommended by SEAT UK Chat) . They have already had a go at fixing the main beam twice and managed to raise to my dipped beam (which I didn't really want, but it did extend the light a little bit further.) It is now booked in for the end of November for (hopefully a resolution) I have also found that my turn assist (when turning at night the fog light on the appropriate side is supposed to illuminate, but doesn't) also the overtake warning strips do not illuminate . My suspicion is that this is all related (certainly main beam and turn assist) - maybe a single circuit failure... I do feel that my dealer is scratching around a bit to find a resolution - that said, they are confident that they will resolve it.

I am desperately hoping that I haven't been sold a pup ! I must say, other than the bits above, I do love the car !
Also appreciate anyone that may possibly be able to help identify this issue...
Thanks

 

[Highdef]

@Highdef Please let me know if you manage to get a resolution on this. My Leon is booked in again with my local dealer for a full diagnostic check (as recommended by SEAT UK Chat) . They have already had a go at fixing the main beam twice and managed to raise to my dipped beam (which I didn't really want, but it did extend the light a little bit further.) It is now booked in for the end of November for (hopefully a resolution) I have also found that my turn assist (when turning at night the fog light on the appropriate side is supposed to illuminate, but doesn't) also the overtake warning strips do not illuminate . My suspicion is that this is all related (certainly main beam and turn assist) - maybe a single circuit failure... I do feel that my dealer is scratching around a bit to find a resolution - that said, they are confident that they will resolve it.

I am desperately hoping that I haven't been sold a pup ! I must say, other than the bits above, I do love the car !
Also appreciate anyone that may possibly be able to help identify this issue...
Thanks

I had the headlight full beam issue fixed .
Citygate Reading Said that the car was still in “transit mode” . It wasn’t disabled at the PDI stage of delivery . When this was disabled in software the headlights and full beam work as expected ..

 

[Andy Q]

Thanks @Highdef, that is excellent news.
Your update has arrived just in time
I have passed the info onto my dealer. I have the car booked in next week to hopefully resolve the headlight issues.
I'll post back here once my car has been in and I know the outcome and to hopefully help out anyone else who is having these issues.

 

[vikkie07]

Did you also have the problem with "flashing" with high beam? I noticed the same issue today. So a software fix could potentially solve it?