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Passenger side Xenon not auto levelling.

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no fit state
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Passenger side Xenon not auto levelling.

Post by no fit state » Wed Feb 08, 2017 8:41 pm

So I've noticed tonight that my passenger side headlight isn't auto levelling anymore :x

I've had a little dig around on the net which leads me to believe that it's more than likely the levelling motor for that headlight that has gone rather than one of the sensors, as that would effect both headlights?

realoem list 2 part numbers for the xenon headlight vertical aim motor. 67168352206 and 67168372381, does anybody know which is the correct one and also could the problem be something other than the motor?

Thanks :thumbsup:
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Passenger side Xenon not auto levelling.

Post by ph001 » Tue Oct 03, 2017 1:30 pm

I've just come across the same problem last night. Passenger side headlight is pointing down at floor and doesn't cycle when switched on. Drivers side is fine and cycles as you would expect.

I'm going to inspect first and maker sure it's not the plastic control arm ball joint that's come adrift but am also confused by the two part numbers on real OEM... http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpar ... Id=63_0758
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Passenger side Xenon not auto levelling.

Post by Ducklakeview » Tue Oct 03, 2017 2:14 pm

The s522A=yes is for bi-xenons, s522a=no is for pre facelift xenons.

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Passenger side Xenon not auto levelling.

Post by ph001 » Tue Oct 03, 2017 2:26 pm

Awesome, thanks. Looks like I need the 67168352206 for my 57 plate 3.0Si then.
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Passenger side Xenon not auto levelling.

Post by ph001 » Wed Oct 04, 2017 10:07 am

UPDATE - So had a look at this issue in the garage last night. It's all pretty easy to access. First, remove the front wheel and the cover on the inside of the wheel arch. This gives good access to the back of the headlight. Remove the rear headlight cover (just a large wire clip) and you can clearly see the headlight internals.

The headlamp vertical adjust motor is the metallic round thing here, part no. 67168352206...
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On the end of the motor is a metal plunger with a plastic ball on the end that locates into a groove. It's reported on other bmw forums that the ball can easily pop out of the groove in which case you would obviously have no adjustment. The Z4 design however actually looks much improved over other models, I don't really see how it could pop out easily at all over bumps etc. To remove the motor you have to remove 2 x T10 torx screws and then slide the ball sideways out of the groove...
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Once out you can see the motor in all its glory...
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And a good close up picture of the groove arrangement..
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I then proceeded to get a helper to turn on the headlights whilst watching the motor. You can clearly see it cycle in and out but it's a surprisingly small amount of movement (no more than 2-3mm). I guessed that it should move a lot more than this and concluded I needed a new motor.

So I put everything back together and did another check. To my surprise the headlight now cycled as expected and finished at the correct height. I can only imagine that disturbing the motor has got it working again and that 2-3mm plunger movement is normal. I had heard that the motors often go intermittent before they die so I am expecting this to fail again over the coming days, but at least I know the procedure for replacing it now. The whole job can be done in 30 mins or so.
Last edited by ph001 on Wed Oct 04, 2017 10:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
2007 E85 Z4 3.0Si manual :driving:
19" CSL's | Eibach Springs | Aeroskirts | Z4M front bumper | Clear brake light | ZHP | RCH+| Stubby

2004 E46 M3 coupe manual - gone but not forgotten.

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Passenger side Xenon not auto levelling.

Post by firebobby » Wed Oct 04, 2017 10:25 am

Good write up and great photos :thumbsup:
I wonder if there is a away to check the motor, maybe drop it in diesel like the roof motors. Another one for DLV I think :)
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Passenger side Xenon not auto levelling.

Post by Ducklakeview » Wed Oct 04, 2017 10:50 am

It's a stepper motor, and the system "knows" where about along it's travel that it is at any given time, hence the extra wires for the positional sensor. As they only move a small amount, yes your 2-3mm sounds about right, they can jam up as the white grease is rubbed away by it moving through the same area all of the time. Pulling it out probably moved it outside the normal area of operation, meaning that when refitted, it will have probably moved to it's max extension/retraction in order to calibrate. That's probably why it is now working. The good news is, that it'll probably be fine now for a good while.

One thing I would have done was to spray some white grease from an aerosol into the interface between the pin and the body.

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Passenger side Xenon not auto levelling.

Post by Nelly Welly » Sun Oct 22, 2017 4:37 pm

I had a similar problem but it was that the motor had somehow gone too far in and jammed, opening it up and turning it slightly then caRefully clipping the cover back onto the base. Then it works fine, cycling on power up and operating on level adjuster.

Have i just fooled myself and it’s gonna jam again ?
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Passenger side Xenon not auto levelling.

Post by road warrior » Tue Oct 09, 2018 7:36 am

An excellent write up with great pictures. Well done. Damn useful. :thumbsup:

Mike, do you mean grease the ball before relocating it in its slot? Or do you mean grease the shaft as it goes into the body of the motor?
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Passenger side Xenon not auto levelling.

Post by ph001 » Tue Oct 09, 2018 10:20 am

I think he means greasing the ball. Incidentally this issue never appeared again for me...1 year and counting and still on the same motor. Just works fine.
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Passenger side Xenon not auto levelling.

Post by road warrior » Tue Oct 09, 2018 11:18 am

thats wonderful news.. i gotta do it today so fingers crossed, but i dont have a lovely assistant so will remove it grease it and put it back in and find out eh,
If you ever think I'm off my rocker.. Just put me back in it and walk away... It's the kindest thing
My wife says I never listen - or something like that.
gone but not forgotton -Mean Steve - made a sound like a bear with his nuts in a trap.

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Passenger side Xenon not auto levelling.

Post by ph001 » Tue Oct 09, 2018 11:47 am

:thumbsup: ...it's all simple enough to do. I'd place a very small bet that just pushing that rod in and out a few times and cycling it out of the socket will fix it. I'm assuming it's just one of your headlights that has the problem, not both?
2007 E85 Z4 3.0Si manual :driving:
19" CSL's | Eibach Springs | Aeroskirts | Z4M front bumper | Clear brake light | ZHP | RCH+| Stubby

2004 E46 M3 coupe manual - gone but not forgotten.

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Passenger side Xenon not auto levelling.

Post by road warrior » Tue Oct 09, 2018 2:29 pm

yes just one..
but it dont seem to want to move
with or without power
If you ever think I'm off my rocker.. Just put me back in it and walk away... It's the kindest thing
My wife says I never listen - or something like that.
gone but not forgotton -Mean Steve - made a sound like a bear with his nuts in a trap.

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road warrior
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Passenger side Xenon not auto levelling.

Post by road warrior » Wed Oct 10, 2018 7:36 am

The motor feels solid, so how hard should I be pushing or pulling ?
If you ever think I'm off my rocker.. Just put me back in it and walk away... It's the kindest thing
My wife says I never listen - or something like that.
gone but not forgotton -Mean Steve - made a sound like a bear with his nuts in a trap.

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ph001
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Passenger side Xenon not auto levelling.

Post by ph001 » Wed Oct 10, 2018 10:02 am

Can't quite remember, but you should definitely see it move in and out if you have it in your hand while somebody cycles the lights on and off. I bought a spare which I have at home in my garage, I can have a play with it tonight and report back to you tomorrow if that's not too late?
2007 E85 Z4 3.0Si manual :driving:
19" CSL's | Eibach Springs | Aeroskirts | Z4M front bumper | Clear brake light | ZHP | RCH+| Stubby

2004 E46 M3 coupe manual - gone but not forgotten.

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