BMW E34 headlights

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Wed 21 Dec 2005 22:18
BMW E34 headlights - rovernotover
I cannot find how to adjust (up as they are too low) the dipped lights on my BMW e34 518 (with electric height adjustment)- I have a Haynes manual but their indicated (white)adjustment bolts dont seem to exist on my car - can anyone suggest how I can get them sorted?
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Wed 21 Dec 2005 22:28
BMW E34 headlights - Adam {P}
Don't know the car but have you looked inside the cabin? You say bolts and electric adjustment. Ordinarily there'd be a nondescript wheel or dial in the car to adjust them - not necessarily on the headlights themselves.
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Thu 22 Dec 2005 08:47
BMW E34 headlights - jc
All modern cars must have either self-levelling or "adjustable from within the car" headlights to meet EU regulations.Indeed,HID lights must be self-levelling.
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Thu 22 Dec 2005 08:49
BMW E34 headlights - Frogeye
I think "rovernotover" wants to adjust the basic settings of the headlights. The internal adjustment only dips them more, so is no help.
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Thu 22 Dec 2005 12:17
BMW E34 headlights - John S
If they are anything like my E36, on the back of the light housings (inside the bonnet) there will be some adjusting screws which set the basic alignment. They are fairly easy to spot, comprising a small bevel gear (this turns their action through 90 degrees and makes them accesible from above) with a hexagonal hole in which an allen key or hex driver can be placed. Mine are not marked with either horizontal or vertical adjustment, so it's trial and error.

Park the car facing the garage door, turn on the lights and carefully adjust one of the screws on the dipped beam side of the light - you'll see the effect on the door as the light pattern moves. Identify which adjuster does what, and carry on from there.

JS

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Thu 22 Dec 2005 22:34
BMW E34 headlights - rovernotover
John many thanks I will have a look for these and get back to you. I must admit that I'm normally ok with working things out (just put a new radiator/window motor/alternator in)but so far uplifting this light has beaten me.
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