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Headlight Adjustment Issue - Prefacelift US version
Hey everyone,
I'm hoping to get some collective wisdom on a frustrating issue I'm having with my 2010 E350's driver's side headlight.
Today, we successfully replaced the driver's side xenon bulb and the headlight ballast. Everything lights up fine now, which is great! However, the driver's side low beam is now aiming ridiculously high—it's essentially blinding oncoming traffic and illuminates the treetops. The passenger side is aimed correctly.
We tried to manually adjust the height using the part visible in the picture, but turning it didn't seem to make any noticeable progress on lowering the beam.
Any ideas and suggestions are appreciate and welcomed!
Oh...I did that a few months (years?) ago...first...you sure you have the bulb in properly? Spring clip in properly?
I want to say that there were three total areas to adjust it. I went to a wall where I could see the "bright spot" (one of mine was good) so that I could match the "bright spot"...I know there was more that one adjustment to get the angle correct....
Originally Posted by OldManAndHisCar;[url=tel:9231768
9231768[/url]]Oh...I did that a few months (years?) ago...first...you sure you have the bulb in properly? Spring clip in properly?
I want to say that there were three total areas to adjust it. I went to a wall where I could see the "bright spot" (one of mine was good) so that I could match the "bright spot"...I know there was more that one adjustment to get the angle correct....
I just played with that screw. If you have any photo of the other two, i would appreciate it.
I guess we did put the bulb correctly as it was secure and wouldnt come off at all.
For better understanding, when i turn on the lights the passenger one moves down and up more, while the drivers side is more like high beam and slightly moves up and down after turning on comparing to the other one
If the headlight was properly aimed before, and is now wildly out of adjustment after replacing the bulb, then it is highly likely that the bulb is either installed incorrectly (angled), or the wrong bulb (protruding too far or not far enough into the reflector).
I would suggest removing/reinstalling the bulb to start.
9231814[/url]]If the headlight was properly aimed before, and is now wildly out of adjustment after replacing the bulb, then it is highly likely that the bulb is either installed incorrectly (angled), or the wrong bulb (protruding too far or not far enough into the reflector).
I would suggest removing/reinstalling the bulb to start.
To install the new ballast, we removed the complete headlight unit then put it back in. I will try to reinstall the bulb but removing the tire and fender are not fast too. That is why i thought maybe adjustment was messed up while we were putting the headlight back.
To install the new ballast, we removed the complete headlight unit then put it back in. I will try to reinstall the bulb but removing the tire and fender are not fast too. That is why i thought maybe adjustment was messed up while we were putting the headlight back.
Goung from properly aimed to shining on the tree tops is outside the range of adjustment, so I’d look toward improper installation. I didn’t catch that you had removed the complete light assembly. It could be the bulb or the assembly reinstallation.
9231910[/url]]Goung from properly aimed to shining on the tree tops is outside the range of adjustment, so I’d look toward improper installation. I didn’t catch that you had removed the complete light assembly. It could be the bulb or the assembly reinstallation.
We removed the bumper, took the headlight, replaced ballast, put new xenon and put back headlight to its place, put the bumper back etc. We didnt disassemble all headlight apart.
+1 on the bulb isn't properly inserted into the socket.
Isn't there a small removeable panel in the wheel well liner that can be used for access?
Edit: Looks like on the 2010 you have to remove the whole liner; there's no removable door. Take the wheel off, remove the liner, the headlamp access should be right there for either side.
Last edited by rapidoxidation; Nov 9, 2025 at 08:45 PM.
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