Manual Headlight Aiming Not Working
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
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2004 C230 Kompressor Sedan 6MT
Manual Headlight Aiming Not Working
My C230K has factory Bi-Xenon headlights, and the passenger side is a good bit higher than the driver side. My issue is, the passenger side manual height adjustment doesn't work. I did many twists to lower it but it won't shift at all. The driver side works as it should though. What could be the issue here, and how should I go about fixing it?
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: fort worth, tx
06 C230 SS 6spd
The adjustment bolt might have gotten loose off the bracket. It happens if you try to turn the adjuster too much. You'll have to take the headlight apart to see if that's the issue.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: USA
Marsaydees
If you try to raise the headlight too much (unscrewing), the projector will come apart from the leveler and start flopping around (obviously at this point it doesn't matter which way you turn the screw, it won't adjust anything.
If you can wobble the bulb (and projector) up and down, you have this issue.
To fix this you just simply pop off the cover to access the bulb.Grip the bulb and pull upwards on it (this in turn causes the projector to aim downwards). While holding the projector in this position, start turning the adjuster screw clockwise until the projector catches onto the leveling gear. You'll know because you wont be able to wobble the bulb up and down anymore.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: USA
Marsaydees
If you align the lower part of the Z-step (on the passenger side) with the driver's headlight, then the passenger side will be slightly towards the outside because of the higher Z-step. Basically you'd still want to align the passenger headlight in relation to the driver headlight. Right?
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
There is certainly a relationship - very dependent on distance from object being lit. This is why Benz uses a light box & Star for adjustment. In theory with full auto levelling Bix - the passenger side light is set higher to provide greater illumination of the road verge while the drivers side is set slightly lower to prevent blinding on-coming motorists. That is the standard ex works setup.
EDIT. I loved my ex factory set up until they changed my castor bushes & the jerk working on the car forgot to reattach & calibrate my front sensor arm & I ended up with lights looking down at the road - maximum auto depression.
Took it back & they cycled the front sensor - mounted it back on the torsion bar & aligned. Then calibrated with Star. My lights are now exactly as they left factory. I have a block pattern on my wooden garage doors & could see immediately that they had got it right.
EDIT. I loved my ex factory set up until they changed my castor bushes & the jerk working on the car forgot to reattach & calibrate my front sensor arm & I ended up with lights looking down at the road - maximum auto depression.
Took it back & they cycled the front sensor - mounted it back on the torsion bar & aligned. Then calibrated with Star. My lights are now exactly as they left factory. I have a block pattern on my wooden garage doors & could see immediately that they had got it right.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Jun 5, 2011 at 11:42 AM.
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Newbie
Joined: Oct 2013
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Mercedes Benz W203
Same problem here
Hello guy's.
I have a problem with manual adjusting headlights horizontally. Precisely, right headlight goes to much on the left and when I try to rotate the adjustment screw nothing happens. I tried to push the bulb forward and rotate adjusting screw but it doesn't changes anything.
How to fix this problem?
My car is w203 c220 cdi with xenon lights
I have a problem with manual adjusting headlights horizontally. Precisely, right headlight goes to much on the left and when I try to rotate the adjustment screw nothing happens. I tried to push the bulb forward and rotate adjusting screw but it doesn't changes anything.
How to fix this problem?
My car is w203 c220 cdi with xenon lights
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
C200 W202
Hi I tried to do as you have mentioned on my MB C200 Kompressor W202 91 model. left headlight too high & I over screwed the adjustment screw when lowering. I took it to my mechanic who told me adjustment is very fine using his analyser machine. Tried to reposition & each time we turned adjustment it made a clicking noise clockwise or anti but wont move. Took the headlight out? Other side is fine & easy to adjust. Have to buy new headlight as adjustment broken??
Last edited by Pepe188; Jan 6, 2019 at 01:51 PM.
