Hello,
Something that seems strange on my Jaguar X350 (2003 XJ 8 with HIDheadlamps).
They don't go up when I start and don't go back when I stop the engine.
in France, a friend note the same thing on is XJ... and others note that they move.

Is it normal ?
Can it be programmed ?
Thank you for your help.

 

Hi in France,

The moving of the headlamps is linked to the height sensor of the car.If u have a height sensor, (is located under the car, on the front left side), then they should move up when u start the engine.Maybe you do not have a sensor.

 

Mine have never moved and I do have sensors. When I changed the lamps last year, I removed the entire assemblies and did not see the stepper motors or wiring that everyone talks about. With my others cars with HID, I do see the lamps move up and down automatically. Some have said lamp leveling is handled by the air suspension.

 

Maybe this will help. This part of a communication dated Nov. 2004.

Question: I have seen,on the latest XJ saloons, Xenon (HID)
headlamps that do not have the stepper motor fitted. Why is this.
Answer: The stepper motor is a devise to level the headlamp in the
event that a vehicle is carrying a heavy load. As the NEW XJ is fitted
with self levelling suspension the self levelling headlamp was
considered a non value added feature. The new lamp was introduced
at VIN G39155. It is possible that on the initial change some vehicles
may still be fitted with the 'old' harness with the connector for the
stepper motor 'taped' out of the way. This will in no way compromise
the operation of the lamp or the vehicle. Note: Halogen lamps have
never been fitted with stepper motors.

 

I know it is a small thing in the scheme of things, but I am actually glad this is the case as stepper motors do go bad, as it happened to me once on another vehicle, covered by warranty. One less thing to go bad!

 

Thank you for your answers.

What is mysterious is that the Jaguar service manual shows leveling motors for all model year...

 

My HIDs (2007MY) were pointing very low when I bought it (so low were useless) indicating a fault (lamps default to pointing down if a fault detected in the lighting system in order to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic) and the lenses werent moving up and back down as they should do to get their level when turning ignition on.Quick trip to the dealer who recoded (calibrated) the lights to the car under warranty while I waited,now lights working perfectly.

 

My car is a 2003, and in darkness, when I start the car, with headlights on 'automatic', they switch on and then level. This is not the car suspension moving, it is the light unit. They seem to start in a low (or 'rest') position. Hope this helps.

 

Thank you for your answers.
I'll ask my dealer to recod the lights.