VII

Just thought I'd take a moment to share someone else's fine work. https://www.drive2.com/l/3382799/

My left headlight stopped leveling and was now aimed directly to the ground with no error reported (Cluster or DAS). Thanks to Sergei there, this was fixed in 15 minutes with a total cost of $1.

I did not even remove the headlight (w219), just pried the back cover of the motor off, inserted the M4 washers and glued the cover back on.

Tranman

Thanks for posting this. I just picked up a w211 E55 and it has the same problem and uses the same exact headlight adjustment motor. Where did you end up picking up the washers? Also, did you use more than one?

VII

If I remember correctly washers are from home depot and I used 2.

I don't remember if I mentioned this but do NOT use super glue, use a proper adhesive for the high temperature variations in the engine compartment.

Tranman

Thanks, I'll give it a shot later this week and report back.

bobgodd

I may be missing something here, but I don't understand what the gentleman on that page is describing. What issue are the washers fixing? Making the motor come alive again?

After rereading carefully, I THINK I might have it. Please follow up on whether this fixes your issue. I opened my headlights years ago and disconnected the motors so they would stop aiming the lights to hell and getting them stuck there.

Tranman

From what I gather, the poster was saying that the headlight adjuster wears down to a certain point internally where it won’t engage the shaft - so the motor is running but not able to move the shaft to adjust the headlight anymore. And since the motor is technically still running, you don’t get any errors in the dashboard. It “thinks” it’s adjusting properly. So the brass washers (which are corrosion resistant and non magnetic) are taking up the slack that was worn away. So it can engage the shaft properly again.

Anyways I’ll be putting in upgraded heat exchangers in the next week or so and have to pull the bumper. It’ll be easier for me to pull the headlight out and get to that adjuster - hope it works!!!

bobgodd

Definitely looking forward to your results!

hbkwa

Is there any adjustment necessary for the rotor position? The fix was easy and fast. Thanks for this cheap and effective solution to the problem.
Because the rotor is fixed to the thread what position and adjustment does it need?
Thanks

mokrishte

Thanks man totally worked

mcaff

Gentlemen, my 2009 CLS had this exact same error: both low beams were aiming down to the ground. I took the car to a specialist in headlight repairing (but not a Mercedes specialist) and he tested both sides motors and concluded they´re fine. The problem was that the leveling mechanism was out of its "track", it was locked down. He corrected this, connected the mechanism back to its track, but the motors do not act! When I turn on the engine nothing happens to the level, they´re still facing down. It looks like the car doesnt "send" any command to make the motors act. Not sure if I made myself clear, but would appreciate any help.

91180

If I’m getting an error message, will this fix not work for me? My left(driver side) is pointed at the ground and I get the active headlight unavailable message on the dash. I have a w211 e55