Broken Headlight Adjustment Knob
Broken Headlight Adjustment ****
I recently installed some new HIDs and when trying to adjust the height of the low beams, I noticed that my passenger adjustment **** was broken. When I twist it to aim the light higher, it goes to a certain point then makes a loud click and the whole light drops and points to the ground. Has anyone had this problem, or does anyone know how to fix it?
Re: Broken Headlight Adjustment ****
I have opened up several lights and your unit is dead, broken screw asembly. Fix is a real stretch, suggest that you look to ebay for spare light assembly. I had plans on modifying the contents but gave it up as the cases can not be opened without damage. Woody
Forum Regular
Re: Broken Headlight Adjustment ****
When you pulled it out, Was the "ball" on the end still attached or did it break off? If the "ball" is still there, You may be ok still! I had the same thing happen on my drivers side when I tried to adjust the light up too high. I heard a loud pop and the light dropped to the lowest setting. From then on, turning it would bring it up some and then drop it down again. I figured I broke the whole thing!
I was about to buy a new headlamp assembly and when a friend told me that if the ball was still there, It should still work and to just see if the rod will pull out so i can look for the ball on the tip.The ball was still theree, So I went and pushed it back in and kept turning it in the direction that aims the light DOWN. Once it started getting tight, I was worried but figured..If its already broke ??? So I kept turning slowly and..Finally..A loud pop! I can only assume that pop was the ball end seating itself in the adjustment mechanism.
Now it works fine again. I just have to remember not to try to adjust it too high again. As it turns out, I didn't need to re-aim the headlamps anyway. It was an improperly seated bulb that was causing the light out put to appear like it was aimed to low. I've since gone to 6000K HIDS and love the light output now! Best of luck!!
I was about to buy a new headlamp assembly and when a friend told me that if the ball was still there, It should still work and to just see if the rod will pull out so i can look for the ball on the tip.The ball was still theree, So I went and pushed it back in and kept turning it in the direction that aims the light DOWN. Once it started getting tight, I was worried but figured..If its already broke ??? So I kept turning slowly and..Finally..A loud pop! I can only assume that pop was the ball end seating itself in the adjustment mechanism.
Now it works fine again. I just have to remember not to try to adjust it too high again. As it turns out, I didn't need to re-aim the headlamps anyway. It was an improperly seated bulb that was causing the light out put to appear like it was aimed to low. I've since gone to 6000K HIDS and love the light output now! Best of luck!!
Last edited by SilverWolf; 04-07-2010 at 09:33 AM.
Re: Broken Headlight Adjustment ****
You rule SilverWolf!
I took my '05 roadster in for the PA Inspection and was told that it wouldn't pass because the RH headlamp adjustment was broken and the whole assembly would need replaced with OEM unit at $700+. First thing I did was locate one on eBay for $225 but then I did some research on this forum and found this thread.
I called the service advisor back and told him I found one on eBay but asked if he could have the technician try something first and then I read him your posting. He called back later and said that it worked and the technician said thanks for teaching him something new!
I would rather pay a couple extra shop labor hours than pay for an
unnecessary (and expensive) part.
I took my '05 roadster in for the PA Inspection and was told that it wouldn't pass because the RH headlamp adjustment was broken and the whole assembly would need replaced with OEM unit at $700+. First thing I did was locate one on eBay for $225 but then I did some research on this forum and found this thread.
I called the service advisor back and told him I found one on eBay but asked if he could have the technician try something first and then I read him your posting. He called back later and said that it worked and the technician said thanks for teaching him something new!
I would rather pay a couple extra shop labor hours than pay for an
unnecessary (and expensive) part.
Re: Broken Headlight Adjustment ****
I went through the same ordeal when I installed my HIDs a month or so ago, too. Ended up fixing it on accident in the same way described above, thought I was the only one with the problem, though. I was definitely not happy at first, but was defnitely relieved when I found a way to get it to work again.
Just goes to show that a little trial and error can go a long way.
Just goes to show that a little trial and error can go a long way.
Re: Broken Headlight Adjustment ****
Originally Posted by grip grip
Quit screwing around. You're the man and you know it. Thank's for your post.
Why so few posts?
Why so few posts?
Plus, who has time to post anything these days, When you've got a Crossfire in the driveway just begging to be driven!
Re: Broken Headlight Adjustment ****
People replace a bulb wrongly by not seating it correctly and then try to adjust the headlights.
With such a large error to correct the adjustment cannot compensate and the adjustment screw is damaged.
If the bulb is seated correctly there is no need to touch that screw if the lights were aimed satisfactorily before the swap.
With such a large error to correct the adjustment cannot compensate and the adjustment screw is damaged.
If the bulb is seated correctly there is no need to touch that screw if the lights were aimed satisfactorily before the swap.
Re: Broken Headlight Adjustment ****
Originally Posted by onehundred80
People replace a bulb wrongly by not seating it correctly and then try to adjust the headlights.
With such a large error to correct the adjustment cannot compensate and the adjustment screw is damaged.
If the bulb is seated correctly there is no need to touch that screw if the lights were aimed satisfactorily before the swap.
With such a large error to correct the adjustment cannot compensate and the adjustment screw is damaged.
If the bulb is seated correctly there is no need to touch that screw if the lights were aimed satisfactorily before the swap.
Re: Broken Headlight Adjustment ****
Ah, ha! the ball was on the end of my adjuster screw! Time to re-attempt seating the bulb. Looks like it went in deeper this time, have to wait until night time to see if that worked. Super great info here! Really great patience for the slow learners too! From to
Re: Broken Headlight Adjustment ****
When you pulled it out, Was the "ball" on the end still attached or did it break off? If the "ball" is still there, You may be ok still! I had the same thing happen on my drivers side when I tried to adjust the light up too high. I heard a loud pop and the light dropped to the lowest setting. From then on, turning it would bring it up some and then drop it down again. I figured I broke the whole thing!
I was about to buy a new headlamp assembly and when a friend told me that if the ball was still there, It should still work and to just see if the rod will pull out so i can look for the ball on the tip.The ball was still theree, So I went and pushed it back in and kept turning it in the direction that aims the light DOWN. Once it started getting tight, I was worried but figured..If its already broke ??? So I kept turning slowly and..Finally..A loud pop! I can only assume that pop was the ball end seating itself in the adjustment mechanism.
Now it works fine again. I just have to remember not to try to adjust it too high again. As it turns out, I didn't need to re-aim the headlamps anyway. It was an improperly seated bulb that was causing the light out put to appear like it was aimed to low. I've since gone to 6000K HIDS and love the light output now! Best of luck!!
I was about to buy a new headlamp assembly and when a friend told me that if the ball was still there, It should still work and to just see if the rod will pull out so i can look for the ball on the tip.The ball was still theree, So I went and pushed it back in and kept turning it in the direction that aims the light DOWN. Once it started getting tight, I was worried but figured..If its already broke ??? So I kept turning slowly and..Finally..A loud pop! I can only assume that pop was the ball end seating itself in the adjustment mechanism.
Now it works fine again. I just have to remember not to try to adjust it too high again. As it turns out, I didn't need to re-aim the headlamps anyway. It was an improperly seated bulb that was causing the light out put to appear like it was aimed to low. I've since gone to 6000K HIDS and love the light output now! Best of luck!!
Re: Broken Headlight Adjustment ****
My passenger side headlight aim was way too low, but the adjuster did not work. Log on to the Forum and there was the answer! I was able to screw it in and POP it back into place! FANTASTIC, Thanks to the guys who figure this stuff out. Forum 2, Dealer 0.