Headlights are out, advice needed for adjustment

[Leon2012]

Hi,

I recently got a Leon and the headlights are out: the left headlight is pointed up enough but points too much to the left, and the right is pointing too far down. I've researched it by searching, and tried wiggling the bulbs, but I'm not sure what's the best way to adjust them?

The headlight number setting is on 0 and the right bulb barely lights the road ahead, and the left bulb is probably still not up enough for setting 0, as I've read 0 should be blinding oncoming traffic!

I'll get a pic up, but in the meantime has anyone got any pointers please?


Cheers!

 

[seantdi]

go get them aligned in a garage

 

[Leon2012]

Hi sean,

The garage I'm using can't fit me in for 2-3 weeks and I'd like to do them asap + I'll save about £15-20 for doing it myself and learn about it!

I'd also like to know how to switch them for euro driving, and have heard that's a ball ache!! - I don't want to be going to a garage every time I go to the continent to have the lights adjusted and I hate those stick on deflectors!

Cheers

 

[seantdi]

you need a machine to allign them corectly. its impossible to do them yourself. you will only end up blinding other road users.. i dont think its possible to switch them from rhd to lhd.

loads of garages have the machine so you could try a few places.

there is nothing worse than meeting cars with there lights all over the place on the road

 

[Leon2012]

Hi sean,

I see what you mean about it being important to have correctly aligned lights, but how do you actually adjust them? By what mechanism do they work? I read the LHD/RHD swap was possible, but you have to remove some bits (maybe part of the bumper?) and that it's awkward but do-able?

Cheers

 

[seantdi]

there are 2 white screws on each headlight. one adjusts the hight from the ground the other adjusts from left to right.

i dont think the lhd/rhd is doable on the leon. some cars can be done but i think these were ones with projector headlights like the mk4 golf xenons

 

[Leon2012]

Thanks sean,

I found these comments on Honestjohn.co.uk from 2003 about switching from LHD/RHD lights for euro driving - someone said it was easy on the Ford Focus, then these 2 replies came up:

In the case of the Focus it doesn't seem to bad, unfortunatly for us VAG owners, you have to remove the bumper on most models before the head lamp bolts are accessible??.. My Leon has 25 screws holding the bumper on

Then a spot of DIY is called for.

If your Seat with HID lamps is often heading overseas, bypass the switch on the back of the lamp and fit one of your own in the cabin.

That's what make me think and ask about it

 

[Leon2012]

By the way, what should the headlight height number be normally in the car? About 1 or 2?

 

[seantdi]

im guessing thats the mk2 leon they are talking about as the mk1 never had hids fitted

 

[seantdi]

By the way, what should the headlight height number be normally in the car? About 1 or 2?

0 if its only the driver in the car i think.. its in the owners manual

 

[Leon2012]

Hi sean,

The Mk2 wasn't out then in 2003, so it must be the Mk1, and I think they must mean aftermarket HIDs, and I'll check the owner's manual, thanks, I just thought I read on here that setting 0 was blinding oncoming traffic when they used it!

 

[Leon2012]

This is the thread: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=17428

 

[Muttley]

On setting 0 the headlights should dip correctly, allowing oncoming users to see. Unless you consistently have a heavy passenger you are never going to be more nose-low.

The Honest John thread makes it clear that they are talking about projector headlamps that must have a means of correcting for RHD, as they can't be masked like the more usual reflector fittings.

 

[seantdi]

there is no way of changing the beam on a reflector unit. the reflector sets the beam. the only way to change it is with the tape/beam deflectors

 

[Leon2012]

Ok thanks, I found this thread while searching for more detailed info on the adjustments and how to do it (allen key) : http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=205084

 

[Flameboydan]

you need a machine to allign them corectly. its impossible to do them yourself.

I wouldn't say impossible, I always end up adjusting mine myself - you can do it against a wall at night (useful if you have another car with aligned lights to use a guide for a beam pattern), or park up somewhere at night with a long stretch in front of you so you can adjust them onto your side of the road.

Of course, officially, have them done at a garage.