E46 self-adjusting Xenon lights

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Tom - 10 Dec 2006 02:59 GMT

My 02 330 xi was just lowered (H&R sport springs, Koni sport shocks)
When I did this the front lowered more than the rear to the point the
headlights pointed down at the ground.

I adjusted the star-shaped knob on each headlamp so they would point
higher.

But now the auto-leveling feature doesn't move at all...I think since
I adjusted them so high with the star knob that I'm at the top of the
auto-leveling range.

Can the entire headlight unit be adjusted UP? Then I can lower the
headlight and the auto-leveling feature will work again.

Anybody experience this?

Thanks.
Tom

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Dave Plowman (News) - 10 Dec 2006 10:39 GMT

> My 02 330 xi was just lowered (H&R sport springs, Koni sport shocks)
> When I did this the front lowered more than the rear to the point the
> headlights pointed down at the ground.

> I adjusted the star-shaped knob on each headlamp so they would point
> higher.

The dash adjuster is to lower the lights dues to a heavy load at the back.
It doesn't allow them to go higher than factory pre-set. In other words,
normal is fully 'up'.

> But now the auto-leveling feature doesn't move at all...I think since
> I adjusted them so high with the star knob that I'm at the top of the
> auto-leveling range.

> Can the entire headlight unit be adjusted UP? Then I can lower the
> headlight and the auto-leveling feature will work again.

The self levelling relies on sensors on the suspension etc. It might
possible to set it up for different suspension heights but it's something
you'd need a workshop manual and proper beam setter for. But having looked
inside a few headlight assemblies there's often not much in the way of
room to tilt the actual reflector unit much above the norm.

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Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW
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Thomas Wright - 10 Dec 2006 22:23 GMT

>>My 02 330 xi was just lowered (H&R sport springs, Koni sport shocks)
>>When I did this the front lowered more than the rear to the point the
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> inside a few headlight assemblies there's often not much in the way of
> room to tilt the actual reflector unit much above the norm.

The sensor is on the right front lower control arm. I think with a
little ingenuity it wouldn't be to hard to shorten the rod that goes
from the sensor to the lower control arm. Its also possible that you
might be able to "clock" the arm thats coming out of the sensor to get
the headlights where you want.

There are plenty of lowered E46's running around. How has everyone else
taken care of this ?

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