Author Topic: Can Xenons go out of adjustment?  (Read 3140 times)

Offline No Golf Clubs at all

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Can Xenons go out of adjustment?
« on: 05 September 2009, 13:17 »
Mate of mine said my xenons looked a bit out, could have been the angle he was looking at it tho...

can they be adjusted like normal lights? I think I am getting mixed up with self levelling....

Let the fun begin........Red Gti, full colour coding, DSG, Xenons, Winter pack, Lux pack, Highline, Sat Nav, Sunroof, Leather, Milltek, ABT rear valance, Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics....pescaras :-)

Offline Teutonic_Tamer

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Re: Can Xenons go out of adjustment?
« Reply #1 on: 05 September 2009, 13:31 »
Do they perform the 'start up dance'?

And do you notice them moving down when acclerating hard, and moving up when braking hard?  The best way to test the latter - approach a roundabout which has the big black/white chevron signs, look at where your beam 'cut off' is, then brake hard (obviously make sure no one is behind you) - the beam shold maintain the same level.  If you accelerate hard, again, the beam should stay at the same level.

Does this help?  :smiley:
Sean - Independent Automotive Engineering Technician (ret'd)
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Offline No Golf Clubs at all

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Re: Can Xenons go out of adjustment?
« Reply #2 on: 05 September 2009, 14:19 »
Cheers TT, yep they level and they start up fine. He suggested that one seemed up and the other down, I cant see it myself.

Just wondered if there was any manual adjustment, in the old days we would stick the nose of the car against a wall and note the centres then do something I cant remember to ensure they were even.

I'm due an MOT, pretty sure they will check it out anyway.

Let the fun begin........Red Gti, full colour coding, DSG, Xenons, Winter pack, Lux pack, Highline, Sat Nav, Sunroof, Leather, Milltek, ABT rear valance, Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics....pescaras :-)

Offline DJGTi

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Re: Can Xenons go out of adjustment?
« Reply #3 on: 05 September 2009, 14:53 »
Mine do the 'start up dance', but I always thought they were out because I got flashed by 1 in 4 oncoming cars at night. I ended up driving with my hand on the flasher stalk so I could flash back anyone who flashed me to show them what main beam was :evil:.

I asked about adjustment, but was told it was dealer only and £££s.

After its 1st MoT (6 months ago) I've never been flashed. I can only assume they adjusted them without telling me because they do seem much better. It was only a back street garage in the village as well. I never thought to ask if they had to adjust them, but if they did, it must be possible without VAGCOM.

Offline Dubbin

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Re: Can Xenons go out of adjustment?
« Reply #4 on: 05 September 2009, 19:37 »
My Xenons each have two Allen key slots on the top labelled U/D and L/R. I've adjusted them myself after I was getting flashed many times.
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Offline orca

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Re: Can Xenons go out of adjustment?
« Reply #5 on: 05 September 2009, 19:56 »
My Xenons each have two Allen key slots on the top labelled U/D and L/R. I've adjusted them myself after I was getting flashed many times.

I was getting flashed a lot so asked the dealer to adjust them for me during a service.  They did it free of charge as it was still in warranty.  However, they adjusted them too low, I could only see about 10 metres in front.

So I adjusted them slightly myself just like Dubbin.  Not sure if the new position needs to be 'programmed' but they work fine and I've only been flashed once in about 6 months.

Offline Teutonic_Tamer

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Re: Can Xenons go out of adjustment?
« Reply #6 on: 05 September 2009, 22:26 »
Cheers TT, yep they level and they start up fine. He suggested that one seemed up and the other down, I cant see it myself.

Maybe he's getting confused with the double 'dog-leg' from both headlamps? :undecided:  Xenons generally have a much greater definition to their beams - especially the top cut-off, and the left side 'kick-up'.  And don't forget, many peeps still don't understand that Xenons produce a much brighter, and different shade of light - so may not be used to them.


Just wondered if there was any manual adjustment, in the old days we would stick the nose of the car against a wall and note the centres then do something I cant remember to ensure they were even.

You still can do that!  :wink:  As Dubbin stated, each headlamp has two white 6mm allen socket adjusters.  Look very carefully at the black headlamp casing surrounding each adjuster, and it tell you which way to turn them for up, down, left or right.

One of the recurring issues with Xenons isn't that the height is correct - but the vertical alignment is out - ie, they don't point straight ahead, but actually point to the left or right.


I'm due an MOT, pretty sure they will check it out anyway.

Adjustment isn't officially part of the MoT - some may adjust them for you, others will simply fail it!
Sean - Independent Automotive Engineering Technician (ret'd)
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Offline Teutonic_Tamer

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Re: Can Xenons go out of adjustment?
« Reply #7 on: 05 September 2009, 22:35 »
My Xenons each have two Allen key slots on the top labelled U/D and L/R. I've adjusted them myself after I was getting flashed many times.

I was getting flashed a lot so asked the dealer to adjust them for me during a service.  They did it free of charge as it was still in warranty.  However, they adjusted them too low, I could only see about 10 metres in front.

So I adjusted them slightly myself just like Dubbin.  Not sure if the new position needs to be 'programmed' but they work fine and I've only been flashed once in about 6 months.

The only time they need 'reprogramming' is if/when any electrical components within the whole Xenon circuits are changed.  Usually this is when either the front or rear suspension level sensor seizes up, and need replacing.
Sean - Independent Automotive Engineering Technician (ret'd)
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'06/7 Golf Mk5 GTI 5dr (BWA) DSG, colour coded,

I feel like a homo


Offline No Golf Clubs at all

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Re: Can Xenons go out of adjustment?
« Reply #8 on: 08 September 2009, 17:25 »
Flew through it's mot so no issues, my mate must have skelly eyes.....

Let the fun begin........Red Gti, full colour coding, DSG, Xenons, Winter pack, Lux pack, Highline, Sat Nav, Sunroof, Leather, Milltek, ABT rear valance, Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics....pescaras :-)

Offline smartypants

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Re: Can Xenons go out of adjustment?
« Reply #9 on: 09 September 2009, 13:11 »
Mine do the 'start up dance', but I always thought they were out because I got flashed by 1 in 4 oncoming cars at night. I ended up driving with my hand on the flasher stalk so I could flash back anyone who flashed me to show them what main beam was :evil:.

I asked about adjustment, but was told it was dealer only and £££s.

After its 1st MoT (6 months ago) I've never been flashed. I can only assume they adjusted them without telling me because they do seem much better. It was only a back street garage in the village as well. I never thought to ask if they had to adjust them, but if they did, it must be possible without VAGCOM.

I get flashed a lot with the Xenons but its usally by old b*****ds in Volvos who think anything more than 10 candle power is bright