Just this afternoon when I turned on my 2004 S's headlights, I discovered a new problem. My left light is pointed down into the ground and the passenger side is pointed up! First time this has ever happened. Normally, when I turn on the lights, both are pointed a bit low and they then rise together within a second or two. Now, completely useless!! I tried turning them on and off many times with no change. Also turned off the car a few times as well, all to no avail. With Daylight Savings time ending next weekend and things getting very dark early here in the PNW, having useless lights is a BIG PROBLEM!!

Plus, I'm 100 miles from the nearest Mini dealer and generally do all my own repair/maintenance work. Just have no idea what the problem can be this time. I haven't hit anything or had any off-road excursions to damage the sensors in the suspension. Plus, I'd expect both lights to be doing the same thing if the auto-levelling mechanisms were damaged in any way.

But, with BOTH lights going in opposite directions, I'm at a loss, other than suspecting the levelling module itself. Got to fix this fast or else I'll be stuck driving my gas-guzzling Explorer (God help me!).

Anybody had success bypassing the auto-levelling and just manually adjusting both Xenons until they're properly set up?

Eric

 

You can still aim them. There are two plastic hex shaped adjustment screws on the inside of each headlight housing. That's how the baseline is set; the auto leveling just tries to keep it there. It's tricky without BMW's special tool (which as far as I know is unobtainable). You have to make a small adjustment, shut the hood, turn on the lights and check it, then open the hood again to adjust more. Repeat 100 times.

I don't know why yours are pointing in two directions -- it sounds like it's by design to alert you to some fault. But you can still try to manually adjust to see if you can bring them back to the correct baseline. I'd also check the front and rear level sensors. Make sure their plugged in and not obviously damaged. Other than that -- dunno.

 

Not helpful, but I didn't know 1st gen cars had auto leveling on them. Interesting...

I too would check the sensors and leave manually adjusting them for a last resort as they did work before. Did you try resetting the battery/car?

 

Haven't had a chance to look at anything as yet. Will check the sensors this evening and also try a battery disconnect to see a reset works. Nothing has been done to the car recently, just normal driving with headlights on and off as weather dictates.

Thanks for the ideas, keep them coming.

Eric