R53 non self leveling headlights

[Benspickup]

Ivè recently become the happy new owner of a 55 plate jcw cooper s.

The headlights seemingly point to the floor and never try to self adjust. Can anyone offer any tips to what I can do to test or common failure points.

Many thanks

Ben

[E-bmw]

You need to answer a few questions first.

Should they be self levelling?

If yes:

Can you hear anything at the headlights when you turn the car on with lights already on?

If yes:

Is there any movement at all when you can hear the self-levelling occurring?

Answer these & we can help you more.

[Benspickup]

They are funny zenon ones I'm fairly sure and have all the gubbings on the back of the headlight. Quite heavy compared to the standard ones.

No noise at all from the headlamps. They dont attempt to move at all. They are just facing down.

Many thanks
Ben

[chrisch77]

Check the level sensors on the front and rear suspension first - there should be one sensor at the front and one at the rear (can’t remember which side), connected by a short link to the suspension arm and this link can become disconnected or missing altogether.

[Benspickup]

Thank you, I will check for those.

There seems no life at all from the selfleveling.

I was going to just manually adjust the lights but will have a check first to see if it's a simple fix and get whatever bit needed ordered

Thanks again

[Benspickup]

Just checked and the level sensors are present and correct on the suspension. Is there a fuse or relay that just controls the self leveling aspect?

[Benspickup]

I have replaced the fuse and now the headlamps make a noise as if the motors are working but they still dont move? Is there a adjusting mech that wears you can replace?

Thanks
Ben

[E-bmw]

If you remove the apertures for the bulbs etc you may just find that the adjuster ball/sockets have popped out, mine had & the previous owner thought you needed both headlights replacing to pass the MOT.

I just popped them back in carefully with long nosed pliers & screwdriver.

[R53rider]

With a 55 plate car you have a facelift with projector Xenons. Only the dips are Xenon, the mains are H7 halogen. They should 'nod' when you turn them on, as all Xenons on any car do. The are adjustable on the backs for up/down and left/right setting and it is to that setting they will 'nod' and level. I have a vid of how mine behave, nod, level up, when I turn them on, shone at a wall. But I'm not sure if it is postable on here - size limitation??
Soooo
Are they nodding? At all, on switch on?
The adjusters are here on the back of the lights - green up/down, red left/right.

[R53rider]

Right, found a vid of what they should be doing, the nodding, on start up. This is a SAAB - a lot more extreme nod than an R53!! But shows you what should be going on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3UnbXpkDJw

[Benspickup]

I can hear the motors but there no nodding 😥

[R53rider]

E-bmw said:

If you remove the apertures for the bulbs etc you may just find that the adjuster ball/sockets have popped out, mine had & the previous owner thought you needed both headlights replacing to pass the MOT.

I just popped them back in carefully with long nosed pliers & screwdriver.

If the motors appear to be working, have you done as E-bmw has suggested then? Seems like a sensible next step.

[Benspickup]

Yes seems to be worth a look. I will have a go next time it's not raining and let you know how I get on

Thanks for all the advice

[Benspickup]

Are you looking through the dip or main beam for the adjuster?

Thanks