Technical Headlight adjusters

[Oldman1955]

Hi
I have a Ducato motorhome N reg. Took it for an MoT and both headlights failed because the adjusters were corroded and broken
Is there a way of getting round this problem or do i need new lights
If so any idea where I can get them
Cheers
Steve
07870382811

 

[camionpilot]

Which adjusters are you talking about , the internal ones on the some models can be manual , pneumatic or electric ,if yours are electric and if you are prepared to fiddle and fight you can get the lights apart and either free up the little motors and linkages [ nylon arm and ball ] or get new motors from ebay .

Have done a couple but no fun and make sure the wife/partner is out of earshot ...!! lol

 

[Anthony489]

Hi

Here is the relevant section from the MOT inspection manual. Note the part I have put in bold about Motor Caravans.

The way I interpret this is that a motor caravan is not expected to change greatly in attitude angle due to loading, so if the headlamps are aligned correctly during the test they will remain so in normal use.

4.1.5. Levelling devices​

Make sure any manual headlamp levelling devices (driver controls) work by:

• switching on the dipped beam headlamps
• operating the manual levelling device
• checking that the headlamp beams move up and down
• returning the levelling device control to its original position

Vehicles with high intensity discharge (HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be fitted with a suspension or headlamp self-levelling system. If these systems have been fitted, they must work.


Sometimes it is not easy to determine if the self-levelling systems work. In such cases you should give the benefit of the doubt.


You can identify HID headlamps from:

• ‘DCR’ mark on the headlamp lens or body
• an igniter module or inverter behind the headlamp
• taking a few seconds to reach full intensity
• a bluish tinge to the light

HID headlamps use high voltage. You should take care when inspecting these headlamps.


The check of headlamp levelling devices does not apply to motor caravans.

Defect	Category
(a) Headlamp levelling device inoperative	Major
(b) Manual levelling device cannot be operated from the driver’s seat	Major

 

[cid]

Hi Oldman, Change testing station. I have a 1996 Ducato with headlight adjusting system.Owned it for 16 years and been to many testers. Passed every time even though it has never worked. They are taking the P... All the Best, Ian.

 

[cid]

Sorry Oldman, You did mean the internal adjuster for moving the headlamps up or down as opposed to the screws next to the lights for up, down and side to side movement.

 

[airwave]

Sorry Oldman, You did mean the internal adjuster for moving the headlamps up or down as opposed to the screws next to the lights for up, down and side to side movement.

I believe he's talking about the hydraulic adjusters . I've just repaired , well replaced mine . They've never worked on my van since I bought it , but as in your words , it's passed every mot for the last 5 years . The only reason i've repaired mine is because , the van is being prepared to carry a small motorbike on the back , and i figured there may be issues with the headlight aim .
There were several variants fitted to my model , 230 s2 , and some suppliers are confusing part numbers , with model fitment . I don't really know , what the set up on an s1 is , but i suspect the more likely hydraulic system has failed . There are options , and it is possible to lock the system as was the case on my van , and i suspect also yours . But i notice the OP has posted once and disappeared .