Headlight motor issue golf mk5

Bpmull

Bit of a wired problem but ill do my best to explain it. Basically the last few months when I put on the ignition I can here a motor at the passenger headlight running all the time. Tonight I think I've found the problem. If I move the headlight height adjuster to 0 to 3 and back the driver dipped light moves up and do passenger stays at 3 as in doesn't move. So being logical about it looks like the mechanism that moves the dipped light up and down the cogs or whatever I would think are damaged striped and the motor is running all the time due to this.

So my question is what are my options can the motor be disconnected to stop if run by pulling a connector or fuse or is it integrated into the headlight so that in order to stop the motor running you'd be stopping the lights too. Can this be fixed or is it simply a new headlight ?

Thanks for your help in advance.

Btw it's a golf tdi mk5 with auto headlights if that makes a difference.

Atlantic Dawn

Was a new headlight bulb recently fitted?

Bpmull

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Was a new headlight bulb recently fitted?

yep I changed the dipped headlight recently but I'm fairly sure it was doing the noise before I changed it but can't remember 100%.

Bpmull

Anymore ideas on this ?

punisher5112

Take headlamp out and check bulb fitted correctly

Bpmull

punisher5112 wrote: »

Take headlamp out and check bulb fitted correctly

Ok I'll try that thanks. I might have a look around the inside of the lamp and see if there is any damage.

sean1141

you can usually pop the plug off the motor in the headlamp.. you might have to take the lamp out to get room enough..

Bpmull

Sorry for bring up this thread again but 3 months on I never fixed it. All I know now is it's definitely the headlight height adjuster motor. Basically there must be a short in the motor causing it to run constantly. So I'm going to take out the headlight. I was thinking of trying to find the wire inside the headlight and cut it as by the looks of it there is no separate connection for the motor just one going into the whole headlight and I don't want to cut that.

Now trying to look at potential consequences rather than just snipping a wire. Does anyone know a better way? If I cut the wire going to the motor will that effect any other functions such as lights the auto light sensor. Will it cause fault lights on the dash to come on eml or an electronic fault light.

In some ways I think I'm better to leave well alone it's quite loud when ignition is on without engine on but once the engine is on you can barely hear it. It seems to have no ill effects other than the motor runs all the time and you can't adjust headlight on that side. Any advice ? thanks.

sean1141

on the mk4 there are 3 wires going to the motor. having them disconnected won't show any faults or effect the lights in any other way than not being able to adjust the height of the beams

Bpmull

sean1141 wrote: »

on the mk4 there are 3 wires going to the motor. having them disconnected won't show any faults or effect the lights in any other way than not being able to adjust the height of the beams

Great thanks hopefully it will be as easy with the mk5. I'll take out the light tomorrow and have a proper look thanks.

sean1141

hopefully they are the same. would be very easy get a spare if so. I have lights off and mondeo here and they look the same as the golf ones

Axel Lamp

Had the exact same problem on my MkV golf. Got a indie mechanic mate of mine to disconnect motor. Problem solved

christy02

Remove fuse for headlamp motor and problem sorted no?

sean1141

is there a fuse just for them motors? I think they are powered off the parking light circuit

Bpmull

So although I tried to disconnect the motor a while ago it seems to be buried in the headlight and I couldn't get at it. Noise has gotten worse was quite bad this morning so as a quick fix is pulling the fuse an option. Does anyone know whether the mk5 has a seperate fuse for headlight motor and if it does is there any negative effects of pulling the fuse other than obviously not being able to adjust the lights it doesn't cause the bulbs to drop position or anything like that does it ?

I kind of don't have any time to bring it too a mechanic at the moment but plan on bringing it in in may to get gearbox oil and brake fluid changed and the likes so I could get them to disconnect it then.

Bpmull

Just to put a conclusion to this thread. I pulled the fuse on the headlight level motor and there is no more noise from what I can see there is no ill effects everything still works. It's fuse number one 10 amp on the driver side fuse box just incase anyone is wondering for future reference.

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions

lawred2

Well you helped me along finding the right fuse location. My issue is the fuse blowing repeatedly. The adjustment motor works for a while before the fuse eventually burns out. Takes a little while to blow. It's not immediate.

Not sure I could be arsed trying to figure it out further. Anyone know an easy way to ascertain what the culprit might be?

It's not an immediate blow so I don't think it's a short to ground. Could be either the motors themselves or maybe the thumbwheel...