2016 Ford Xenon headlights : autoleveling not working

Bogger77

I've a 2016 Ford with Xenon headlights (UK import), the auto-leveling doesn't seem to be working, and the lights seem even on normal load with just driver in car to be a little high. Filled the car with fuel last night, and went from not blinding on coming cars to lighting up to 300 meters ahead on the motorway.

Truck drivers and other drivers not impressed.

I've had it in with a local Ford dealer in Cork, and I've been told there's no issues, but there obviously is. Can anyone suggest any dealers or mechanics in the Cork city area (inc Midleton) that are experienced in working on these systems. The mechanic in the local dealers told me to use the dial to level the lights, so obviously, not getting much trust from me

spyderski

But the car is under warranty (even if you did buy it in the UK). Why on earth would you go to an independent and pay?

Bogger77

spyderski wrote: »

But the car is under warranty (even if you did buy it in the UK). Why on earth would you go to an independent and pay?

2 trips to the dealer, and it's the dealer mentioned by OSI, has cost me more in lost work time, fuel and travel time, than a visit to someone who knows what they're doing.

Like I said, I'm not trusting a dealership that don't know you don't have an adjustment dial with these headlight types.

spyderski

OK. But if there's something wrong, these parts are expensive, and going outside the dealer network may void your warranty. I'd be insisting on the dealer doing a proper inspection and fixing the problem. If they need to hold on to the car they should supply you with a replacement FOC.

Bogger77

spyderski wrote: »

OK. But if there's something wrong, these parts are expensive, and going outside the dealer network may void your warranty. I'd be insisting on the dealer doing a proper inspection and fixing the problem. If they need to hold on to the car they should supply you with a replacement FOC.

well, suggest a dealer in Cork area, that knows what they're at, and they'll be talked to, otherwise, I'm looking at a fix until I can get it to a NI dealer in a few weeks. Am doing 300 miles a week, at night, and I'm not happy to be blinding other motorists

Voodoomelon

Bogger77 wrote: »

2 trips to the dealer, and it's the dealer mentioned by OSI, has cost me more in lost work time, fuel and travel time, than a visit to someone who knows what they're doing.

Like I said, I'm not trusting a dealership that don't know you don't have an adjustment dial with these headlight types.

Of course the headlights have adjustments, just like all headlights do, how do you think you get them aligned? Adjust them downwards until you figure out if there is an actual fault with the self levelling.

anthony4335

Usual problem with these systems is to do with the sensors attached to the front and rear suspension that determines the cars level. They go faulty and need to be replaced. My only experience was to do with a saab 95, which threw up a fault on the dash and the lights went into the lowest level setting for safety. Had to replace both sensors as they were both shot, easy job if not tasty in cost 240 pounds sterling for the sensors .

spyderski

Voodoomelon wrote: »

Of course the headlights have adjustments, just like all headlights do, how do you think you get them aligned? Adjust them downwards until you figure out if there is an actual fault with the self levelling.

There's no "user adjustability" on Xenon headlights.

Bogger77

Voodoomelon wrote: »

Of course the headlights have adjustments, just like all headlights do, how do you think you get them aligned? Adjust them downwards until you figure out if there is an actual fault with the self levelling.

There is no dial to adjust, it does have screws on the headlamp unit that can be turned as a last resort,but I'd rather someone else did that, and only as a last resort.
The correct alignment is fully automated and computer controlled.
Car is a Focus, so no self leveling suspension, there should be sensors on the rear and front suspension that detect the angle of the car, and adjust as required, automatically. Since there's no errors on dash, and I assume the dealers checked when they've had it twice, I'm hoping it just a reset of the leveling system.

Voodoomelon

You can still twist the knobs on your headlights a small uniform amount on both sides. Headlight adjustment is far less advanced than you may think.

I'd also be doing proper testing of the self levelling yourself at night time, projecting against a wall with rear passengers to see if its working at all or just not as expected.

Bogger77

Voodoomelon wrote: »

You can still twist the knobs on your headlights a small uniform amount on both sides. Headlight adjustment is far less advanced than you may think.

I'd also be doing proper testing of the self levelling yourself at night time, projecting against a wall with rear passengers to see if its working at all or just not as expected.

Was passing by the original dealer at lunch, asked for a different mechanic to check the lights. and bang, he agree's they're pointing way too high.

Attached are the before and after shots, from an underground car park.
a big difference.

Voodoomelon

That's a massive difference alright, hopefully that's all it was.