strange headlight issue

[paulhdi]

My sister's 2007 ibiza tdi DAB had its first MOT done yesterday morning, and it's failed on the headlights. apparently, the lights are dipping to the right instead of the left. the tester couldnt see the adjusters to sort it, and the dealers were closed, so he couldn't pass the car due to the beam pattern.

The lights haven't been touched since she had the car, so they were like that from the dealer.

Can anyone point me in the direction of the adjusters?

many thanks

Paul

 

[DEAN0]

My sister's 2007 ibiza tdi DAB had its first MOT done yesterday morning, and it's failed on the headlights. apparently, the lights are dipping to the right instead of the left. the tester couldnt see the adjusters to sort it, and the dealers were closed, so he couldn't pass the car due to the beam pattern.

The lights haven't been touched since she had the car, so they were like that from the dealer.

Can anyone point me in the direction of the adjusters?

many thanks

Paul

If the lights are actually dipping right instead of left then it sounds like it has european headlights fitted - is the car an import ?

There should be an arrow moulded in to the top of the headlight near the E9 mark showing the direction of dip

 

[paulhdi]

no, the car was bought from a swansea dealer, and was in the showroom on display. of course, a year after she bought it, the dealer shut down, so it's about an hour to the nearest dealer, so ideally it would be just adjustment that needs doing. Can see it being a pain getting this sorted through seat, cos if i recall, you have 7 days to sort out any issues for MOT for a free re-test., and I can't see them sorting it that quickly. We always had at least a week from calling to having an appointment.

Won't see the car till tomorrow, so won't be able to see if there's an arrow till then.

Thanks for the info though, I did consider that, but thought they would just be standard with scope for adjustment left or right.

Paul

 

[DEAN0]

no, the car was bought from a swansea dealer, and was in the showroom on display. of course, a year after she bought it, the dealer shut down, so it's about an hour to the nearest dealer, so ideally it would be just adjustment that needs doing. Can see it being a pain getting this sorted through seat, cos if i recall, you have 7 days to sort out any issues for MOT for a free re-test., and I can't see them sorting it that quickly. We always had at least a week from calling to having an appointment.

Won't see the car till tomorrow, so won't be able to see if there's an arrow till then.

Thanks for the info though, I did consider that, but thought they would just be standard with scope for adjustment left or right.

Paul

You don't have enough adjustment to change left dip to right - and if you do it - the main beam will be miles out because it moves with the dip.

If you look at the top of the light unit with the bonnet open - you should see two holes above each light with hexagon adjusters in each.
(Picture in post 29 of this thread - http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=253271&highlight=headlight+adjusters)

The one nearest the wing on each side adjusts left/right aim - the one further in towards the centre grills adjusts up/down

 

[Stiglet]

hi there

i had this prob with a fiesta i had before my seat. 1 headlight was a european one !!! god knows how ? but like you say it took them a while to work out why the pattern was wrong. had to get a new headlight !! is it still under warrrenty ? you can phone seat complaint line to vent your angerrrrrrrrrrr !!! they maybe able to help you out...

 

[truCido]

If you can see the part number on the headlights if it starts with 6L2 its the correct one if its 6L1 its a European unit...or is it the other way round hmmmmm

 

[CJRamze]

If your in Swansea DON'T take it to White Dove Seat in Cardiff.
Make sure the bulbs are seated correctly.
Also there is adjustment for Up and down and left and right, Up and down is on the top left and right is down the side (Closest to the body work)

 

[Neo]

You don't have enough adjustment to change left dip to right - and if you do it - the main beam will be miles out because it moves with the dip.

If you look at the top of the light unit with the bonnet open - you should see two holes above each light with hexagon adjusters in each.
(Picture in post 29 of this thread - http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=253271&highlight=headlight+adjusters)

The one nearest the wing on each side adjusts left/right aim - the one further in towards the centre grills adjusts up/down

I was about to post my pic of the adjusters, then saw this link and there it is! post 29.

 

[paulhdi]

thanks for the responses guys.
Phoned White Dove just for info, but he couldn't help cos I didn't have the chassis number with me.

Phoned the MOT tester this morning and he says definate pattern to the right, the opposite of what it should be. He phoned the dealer sat morning and spoke to the parts guy, who looked up the details on the computer, and couldnt see different light units for the chassis number.

Phoned the dealer direct (Raymonds Garage, Pontyberem) and fair play to them, they said bring the car straight in, and we'll take a look, and then can sort out ordering lights. They reckoned FRF (no longer SEAT dealer) should have picked it up on the PDI, but like i told them, they'd only be checking for working lights, not making sure they're dipping left or right, and from my experience, most garages aren't too fussy when doing the PDI anyway.I can't take it in till the morning, so fingers crossed it will be a simple process. I'm definately going to kick up a fuss if it can't be sorted before next monday, as the car will be outside of the 10 day free retest MOT timeline. If it can't be sorted before then, I'll be asking for a courtesy car, and them to fork out for an MOT, cos there's no way I'm going to let my sister pay for 2 full MOT's. Car passed in every aspect apart from lights, so I'm not worried about them trying to 'find' something that needs fixing to pass.

Again, many thanks for the responses. Defo seems a strange c*ck up, but hey, if they sort it out quickly and without fuss, I'll be happy.

Paul

 

[truCido]

Just to check...shes not actually driving the car on the road now is she? Because she doesn't have an MOT even if the old one hasn't ran out yet.

 

[paulhdi]

the car doesnt need an MOT till the 3rd of March.

Just checked the car, and the part numbers on the lights are as follows;

Drivers side: 6L1 941 006 H
Pass Side: 6L1 941 005 H

These standard numbers?

Spoken to the dealer this afternoon with the part numbers, and all they could say was 6L is the car code, and they'd have a look at the car in the morning IF they get a chance. So I'll be there at 8:30 and have the MOT failure cert with me, plus the MOT tester is a mate, so will be able to pass him on if they try to blag their way out of it.

Paul

 

[paulhdi]

UPDATE:

What a morning.

Basically the parts are left hand drive. Confirmed by the dealer. They asked if we wanted to pay for the lights and fitting, or would we like to try SEAT for payment. Needless to say, my sister aint paying a penny to get this sorted.

Phoned seat and was told it will be looked at it time, and nothing can be done at the mo. Told him that as of March 02, 2010 the car is unroadworthy due to the lights, and therefore no MOT OR insurance, and apparently that doesnt change anything!

Phoned dealer back and they hadnt put the claim through cos they werent sure??? Also service manager said he couldnt put a request through cos they dont have the car, even though it's been with them this morning and they took pics of the lamps to confirm part numbers.

SEAT basically want not a lot to do with it, regardless of the fact they sold the car with improper lights. The dealer she bought the car from (FRF Swansea) stopped being a SEAT dealership, but have other garages; vauxhall, mazda, toyota etc

Consumer Direct have recommended contacting FRF as its them she bought the car from, but they're not too interested in helping out so far.

Does anyone know if SEAT check light pattern when they service a car? SEAT said if she'd had it serviced by a dealer they would have picked it up straight away.

Anybody got any other avenues or ideas? Getting slightly peeved at the whole scenario now, as it's my sister who'll be the one left out in the cold with no car.

Other issue she has is that come next tuesday, the car will have to be taken off the road cos it wont have an MOT, and she wont have a car. SEAT say courtesy car is nothing to do with them.

Paul

 

[DEAN0]

Couple of thisgs to make sure of first.

1. Does the V5 reg doccument make any reference to the car being previously registered abroad ?

2. Does the sales doccumentation make any reference to the car being an import ?

Assuming neither of the above say the car is imported - you need to dig deeper :

Not sure if we have any friendly Seat/VW/Skoda employees on the forum who could check if the car is a UK spec car on the system for you.

If car turns out to be UK spec - then it has been supplied in a condition UNFIT FOR PURPOSE and needs rectifying NOW.

The PDI should have picked this up - so should any further services by the dealer.

Trading standards is potentially your next port of call.
This car is still within the three year manufacturers warranty - the headlights are not wear and tear items (unlike the bulbs) - and have just FAILED a UK road fitness test.

PS - get this logged in writting with the seat dealer BEFORE the warranty expires !!

 

[paulhdi]

V5 puts her as first registered keeper, and nothing about import.

Sales docs I dont have, but they wouldnt have said import either, from my recollection. Asked sister to get all paperwork together tonight, cos if nobody's called back by end of play today, I'll be heading to FRF where she got the car from.

Consumer direct said FRF need a recorded delivery letter giving them 10 DAYS to sort something, my issue is she cant wait 10 days.

My sister is deaf, so god knows how she'd be able to sort this out if i wasnt able to.

So, you reckon I should log this with the SEAT dealer as well, just in case?

Feel like grabbing someone round the throat at the p!ss poor service.

I'd have at least expected an 'oh,ok, lets get this sorted for you' especially as the dealer have confirmed incorrect lights. SEAT customer care actually implied my sister had the lights fitted herself ?????? and was looking for someone to sort it out for her.

 

[Stiglet]

hi mate, i would start mentioning WATCHDOG and that you will be writting to them with all the details and how poorly you have been treated. tell them you will write or email every week until this issue is brought up and SEAT is shamed for their piss poor performance. they wont want bad publicity at the moment with the current climate... really wish you the best of luck, it is bang out of order. Is this its 1st MOT ? if not where the hell did it pass it MOT'S ?

 

[Stiglet]

just had another thought, you couyld also mention and write to which magazine. they highlight bad services aswell. GO GET EM !!!!!

 

[DEAN0]

just had another thought, you couyld also mention and write to which magazine. they highlight bad services aswell. GO GET EM !!!!!

And just for good measure - keep muttering under your breath that you wish you had bought a TOYOTA - lmfao

 

[paulhdi]

Just got off the phone with the customer care guy dealing with the issue. He's spoken to the dealer and confirmed my sister hasnt gone and put left hand drive lights on the car, and tring to pull a fast one.

They are now holding their hands up (to a degree), saying its not their fault but they will cover it. hmmmmmmmmm, as i said to the other guy I spoke to, this is going to look pretty bad for SEAT if my sister bumps into anyone and it has to go through insurance, and then it turns out their car has resulted in voiding her insurance etc and as she is deaf, the dealer and seat's system were going to let this wait the 10 plus days before even trying to sort it out.

phoned the garage and seat had just told them to order the parts, so it's got to be booked in for a 7am slot because they're full up. Starting a car at 7am?? sounds like it might be urgent then......

When i spoke to seat customer care for the 2nd time, i told them i'd be expecting a decision on this by the end of today, due to the severity of the **** up, however this is IMPOSSIBLE, cos it has to go in front of the decision maker etc, so asked who that was, and was told it was the guy I was speaking to.

WHY, OH WHY do they try to make you feel like they're doing you a favour??

Have to call the garage in the morning to arrange fitting, so fingers crossed.

Have kept records of everyone I've spoken to today, so that if the slightest thing goes south, I'm going after them.

many thanks for all your input, been really helpful during this frustrating day.

Paul

 

[Stiglet]

very pleased for you mate. hope it has a happy ending. i got 1 of my headlights changed ok so should be fine!!!

 

[paulhdi]

Car was in with SEAT by 7 this morning for the lamps to be fitted, and was back outside by 9:30.

however, on closer inspection, whoever was working on the car had taken off a chunk of paint from the wing where it meets the bumper. An area about 5mm high by 15-20mm wide right on the edge of the panel. took it back in, and the service manager was great to be fair, got the touch up out and was ready to sort it out. however, the bare panel was showing so i asked for it to be touched up properly with primer etc, so he's booked it into their bodyshop for it to be done properly.

Booked in for monday morning, so we'll just have to wait and see how noticable the repair will be.

The boss overheard my conversation with the service manager, and while the car was being pulled back into the workshop for the touch up, he brought the mechanic in to question him in front of everyone, who immediately responded with 'wasnt me, didnt touch it', so then the boss says well one of you 2 is lying, so who is it? ermmmmm.........
i think the fact that the mechanic then said 'i've told you , i didn't f£$%!ng do it' didn't go down well, so i went outside for them to discuss it further. head him say there was rust on the panel so he didnt touch it, then the manager explaining to him the bare metal was 'bl00dy clean' so what the hell was he talking about.

not the best situation, but the service i received from the service manager has been great.
Roll on monday for the paint and mot re-test.