XJ XJ6 / XJ8 / XJR ( X350 & X358 ) 2003 - 2009

Adjusting hi-beams on 05 XJR with auto leveling headlights?

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Old 04-13-2018, 02:18 PM
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Default Adjusting hi-beams on 05 XJR with auto leveling headlights?

Ok, Ive searched and searched and searched on this topic. I understand there is a hex adjusting cam on the headlight assembly which pitches the entire headlight pod up or down.
However my problem is one of my hibeams is pointing notably more downward than the other (pic)


I've checked the bulbs, they are inserted correctly both High and Low beams.
So my question is, how do I adjust the hibeam bulbs independently of the HIDs?
The SDD does not give me an option to adjust the height of each leveling motor.
 
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Old 04-13-2018, 03:56 PM
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Actually thats about what mine look like Same on my Range Rover.

What do the lo beams look like?
 
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Old 04-13-2018, 04:58 PM
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you can see the low beams in the pic, They are perfectly aligned.

Im reluctant to believe this is the stock configuration. Left hand hi beam points down..
 
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Old 04-14-2018, 10:25 AM
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There should be two white plastic adjuster screws (slotted hex heads) on each side. One is main, the other is dip.

You may need to take off the plastic cover over the top of the radiator (6 or 8 black plastic screw/rivet [scrivet ?] thingies) although there are holes in the cover to get a screw driver onto them.
 

Last edited by Partick the Cat; 04-14-2018 at 10:30 AM.
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Old 04-14-2018, 03:06 PM
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You should have something like this

 
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Old 04-14-2018, 03:42 PM
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Err ... nothin' there ...
 
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Old 04-14-2018, 08:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Partick the Cat
There should be two white plastic adjuster screws (slotted hex heads) on each side. One is main, the other is dip.

You may need to take off the plastic cover over the top of the radiator (6 or 8 black plastic screw/rivet [scrivet ?] thingies) although there are holes in the cover to get a screw driver onto them.
I only see one hex fitting to adjust. The other fitting appears to be for left and right adjustment


I looked around.. either I'm oblivious or maybe its possible I have to remove the headlight assembly to adjust it?
 
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Old 04-14-2018, 09:48 PM
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Try this, hopefully you can see the plugs well enough from my average photo...


 

Last edited by woox4; 04-14-2018 at 09:54 PM.
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Old 04-14-2018, 10:00 PM
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Yes, I am aware of these two adjusting screws. These adjust the vertical and horizontal position of the entire headlight pod (hi and low beams) but my issue ies one of my hi beams is pointing more downward, while the low beam is aligned just fine..
 
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Old 04-14-2018, 11:35 PM
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Don't know what is happening with attaching photos today but never mind. All I can see that is left to do is check the high beam reflectors, which will mean pulling the light assembly out. Hopefully someone else someone else will chip in with a better idea though.
 
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Old 04-15-2018, 05:34 AM
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Have you checked to see if the main beam bulbs are correctly seated ?
 
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Old 04-16-2018, 06:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Partick the Cat
Have you checked to see if the main beam bulbs are correctly seated ?
Yes, I have, I pulled the assembly out, its inserted into the ballast just fine? I didnt think these bulbs could be inserted incorrectly into the base?
 
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Old 04-16-2018, 07:01 AM
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If the bulb in question is correctly inserted as you say and the beam is too low for your liking then your only option is to insert the bulb slightly differently.

By that I mean fashion something to tilt the bulb very slightly, in the direction you want without damaging anything,in its seat.
 
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Old 04-16-2018, 08:28 AM
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I pretty sure you have to tilt the bulb in the opposite direction to the way you want tomove the beam ie tilt the bulb slightly downwards to raise the low pointing main beam.

It would be worth getting the two bulbs out and comparing them, to see if the one from the low side has any upward tilt relative to the bulb's base.
 
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Old 04-16-2018, 08:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Partick the Cat
I pretty sure you have to tilt the bulb in the opposite direction to the way you want tomove the beam ie tilt the bulb slightly downwards to raise the low pointing main beam.

It would be worth getting the two bulbs out and comparing them, to see if the one from the low side has any upward tilt relative to the bulb's base.
I think you are correct on the tilt and comparing the two bulbs is a good idea.
 
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Old 04-17-2018, 09:56 AM
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Thinking about it a bit more ('cos I've several times wondered about raising my mains just a wee bit without raising the dips ['cos they're fine] ) as John/Jackra suggests, to raise a main beam you'd need to put a thin layer of packing - I'd thought of a few layers of aluminium cooking foil - between the lower side of the base flange of the bulb and the bulb housing on the lamps unit.

Actually it would first be worth using a dentist's mirror or such like to look into the 'guilty' housing to see if there's any muck or grot in it, especially at top, which would prevent the bulb base from seating correctly.

Dave, in a gloomy Gloucestershire wondering when the sun is going to appear again
 

Last edited by Partick the Cat; 04-17-2018 at 10:05 AM.
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Old 04-17-2018, 10:00 AM
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I really hope I dont have to shimmy my headlights to make them correctly aligned, I hope perhaps there is a difference between the low beams I can address.
 
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Old 04-17-2018, 10:22 AM
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My bet is that either the bulb isn't seated correctly, or the housing is somehow distorted, or the glass bulb isn't straight relative to its metal base; one of those three.
 
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