E46 M3 Headlight Auto Adjust Prob

[CDM3]

Hi all, Help please!

Bit of a Headlight range problem i think.

Since the dark mornings/nights have crept in iv'e noticed that the xenon headlights dont seem to be lighting up the road as good.

They pretty much illuminate 1 white line at a time when the cars in front do about 3 at least on normal dipped beam.

I've heard of the auto adjust stalk breaking but they do seem to alter a little bit when i start it up in a morning so dont think they are broken, also the little wheel on top of the headlight unit which i presume is manual adjust does nothing.

Has anyone on here experienced the same problem? i tried to use the search facility but its slow as chuff.

Cheers,

[blondini]

I would first check that the front levelling sensor arm is still linked to the right hand front wishbone, they are prone to seize and break or come adrift. The self adjusting system always cycles the headlamp aim when ignition is switched on whatever the status of the sensors, so you would still see the headlamps move even if the sensor was off.

[CDM3]

Ahhh, makes sense.
Since i posted i had come across the problem you have just described so i'm convinced your right.

Going to get it up on the ramps on saturday to have a look.

Thanks.

[CDM3]

Put wheel on full lock and can see the arm easily enough, and yes the bracket that holds the arm onto the wishbone has split.

[blondini]

Mine was a clip on fitting to the wishbone but the catch was weak and it kept coming adrift. The pivots were a bit stiff which didn't help so I oiled and worked them until they were free then secured the wishbone end with a jubilee clip... The wishbone fitting then fractured and broke off... I mustn't have freed those pivots off as well as I'd thought.

[sjj84]

The sensor arms are quite cheap, in the mean time you'll probably be able to cable tie the existing sensor arm onto the wishbone. Mine was held on in such a fashion for nearly two years.

[CDM3]

I don't really understand how it works So did'nt try to temp fit it back on. They are £41 inc VAT got 1 on order.