Main Beam

[HST]

Hi Guys,
My main beam doesnt seem quite right on the passenger side of the car, on main beam there is a big dark patch through the light pattern on the passenger side and the light seems to hit the top of hedges rather than the road infront. The lights while on dipped are perfect...any ideas?

 

[t-tony]

It sounds as though the headlight bulb isn't located correctly in the headlight. You will notice a difference in the beam pattern when you park against a wall or garage door ar dark. You need to remove the panel in the wheel arch panel (upper one that is) then remove the hard plastic cover from the back of the headlight to access the bulbs.

Tony.

 

[HST]

It sounds as though the headlight bulb isn't located correctly in the headlight. You will notice a difference in the beam pattern when you park against a wall or garage door ar dark. You need to remove the panel in the wheel arch panel (upper one that is) then remove the hard plastic cover from the back of the headlight to access the bulbs.

Tony.

Thanks Tony, is this a wheel off job?

 

[t-tony]

Definitely easier with the car lifted and wheel off but can be done just with full lock applied.

Tony.

 

[HST]

Is this the case for Xenons which i believe my car has.....

 

[t-tony]

I would say so but pm @billz as i recall he had to change a bulb while on holiday in Europe a couple of years ago.

Tony.

 

[billz]

If you have to do any work on the xenon headlight bulb it's best to remove the fuse as they usually keep a charge. They are held in by a clip for the charge unit and then a clip for the bulb. That's if my memory serves me right. Can do it with the wheel locked outwards or inwards but as Tony says much easier with the wheel off

 

[t-tony]

If you have to do any work on the xenon headlight bulb it's best to remove the fuse as they usually keep a charge. They are held in by a clip for the charge unit and then a clip for the bulb. That's if my memory serves me right. Can do it with the wheel locked outwards or inwards but as Tony says much easier with the wheel off

Thank you Bill.

Tony.

 

[HST]

Hi guys, me again...is there such a thing as a lever on the headlight that engages a blanking plate for continental driving? I have a feeling that this may be my problem...

 

[Jack Ratt]

Hi guys, me again...is there such a thing as a lever on the headlight that engages a blanking plate for continental driving? I have a feeling that this may be my problem...

No or not that I am aware of, at least there isn't on a Z3

 

[HST]

Can anyone explain these beam patterns...dipped and high beam

 

[HST]

From further away

 

[t-tony]

They look fine to me. We need another owner to take pictures to compare please. @billz , @Redline

Tony.

 

[AleNod]

 

[AleNod]

Inside of garage door, so really close. Mine are xenons, 15 plate Z4.

Hope that helps (I'm flummoxed too)

 

[t-tony]

Thank you Alex, I'm sure we're talking about an E85 Z4 as you can see the bonnet/wing shut line in the pictures not an E89. However I don't know if the headlights (and consequently their image patterns) are different or not.

Tony.

 

[t-tony]

Hi guys, me again...is there such a thing as a lever on the headlight that engages a blanking plate for continental driving? I have a feeling that this may be my problem...

I think I'm correct in saying that the shield just blanks off the upper part of the beam image when on dipped beam.

Tony.

 

[AleNod]

Ooh @t-tony, you're too good you ! I wasnt sure which one it was so thought I'd try and help. I just identified mine in case it was helpful.

Hopefully gets sorted, I'm interested now !

 

[t-tony]

Me too mate, very curious.

Tony.

 

[Chaz Ricorn]

"I think I'm correct in saying that the shield just blanks off the upper part of the beam image when on dipped beam."

Yes you're right Tony, there is a shutter which lifts when you go to main beam, maybe the shutter is sticking or only one side of it is going up ?