Active bending bi-xenons

[Will22]

Me too, thinking of going for the night.

Best time I ever had at an Audi lauch was for the A2, it was in the London Eye.

[Robinreliant]

Originally Posted by Piff

Our 59plate C30 has active bending bi-xenons. Shortly after buying I noticed a couple of small chips in the bumper paint just below the lights.
Full marks to the main dealer - Bells of Bedford - they took the car back & touched up the paint.
Their explanation of the chips is that someone has previously removed the headlamps and in removal or re-fitting has damaged the paint. The reason for removal would have been to convert the headlamps for european use!
When I asked why there isn't a simple lever to re-direct the main beams, the dealer directed me to a page in the manual (page 179 if I remember correctly) where there are instructions. He added, there is no room behind the headlamp, beware of high voltage and best to get the conversion done by a main dealer!

Now, if I drive to france, I want to switch the beams over at Dover/Calais, not 2 days before at the main dealer!
So I had a look at the manual and a look under the bonnet and I cant even work out which headlamp is being shown in the manual picture and can't see the lever to switch the beams.

Anyone done this themselves? Advice appreciated.

I asked the same question (without reply) a couple of months ago, prior to a continental trip with my new V50 SE Lux, so I took it upon myself to resolve.

The process is a simple 2 minute task and requires NO dealer visit :

1) Remove the metal retaining tab behind the relevant headlight (it looks like a pressed steel "tent peg" when removed) and lay it on top of the engine cover safely for step 6.

2) Push the headlight assembly forwards (from behind) and then push the side closest to the centre of the car's front grill outwards to release the retaining pin (that sits behind the orange indicator lens) from its grommet.

3) Carefully squeeze the electrical connector plug to release it from the light unit and withdraw the headlight assembly from the car, taking care to support the assembly (this is when the bumper paint chipping can occur if done in a heavy-handed way !).

4) Place the headlight glass-side down on a soft cloth and open the back of the unit (by undoing the 2 x spring wires that keep the metal backplate closed). The backplate is retained to the lamp by braided wiring so will not detach fully !

5) Using a long, thin implement (an electrical screwdriver or a table knife will work well) flick the thin metal lever that protrudes from the side of the light upwards for Continental setting); it moves a "shutter" that shields one side of the beam from dazzling oncoming drivers !

6) Reverse the actions 4 to 1 above to reinstall, remembering to put a dab of vaseline on the flat side of the retaining tab to allow easy removal in future. One tab was greased on my V50, the other was dry when received from Volvo !

7) Repeat for the opposite headlight.

8) Be aware that the self-levelling mechanism doesn't always prevent dazzling, so be prepared for the locals to still flash you.

9) The instructions in the owner's manual imply that the "shutter" adjustment lever is larger than it actually is in reality; it's only a 5mm long 1mm thick piece of grey pressed steel and NOT the substantial lever as shown in the manual illustration !

10) These instructions only apply to V50 with active bending beam Xenons.

Don't let the dealers charge you for this simple job which only requires a soft cloth and tableknife or long, thin screwdriver to achieve.

I'll try an host some photos on a photosharing website tomorrow to help illustrate the steps shown above and post the like here.

[Piff]

Originally Posted by Robinreliant

I asked the same question (without reply) a couple of months ago, prior to a continental trip with my new V50 SE Lux, so I took it upon myself to resolve.

The process is a simple 2 minute task and requires NO dealer visit :

1) Remove the metal retaining tab behind the relevant headlight (it looks like a pressed steel "tent peg" when removed) and lay it on top of the engine cover safely for step 6.

2) Push the headlight assembly forwards (from behind) and then push the side closest to the centre of the car's front grill outwards to release the retaining pin (that sits behind the orange indicator lens) from its grommet.

3) Carefully squeeze the electrical connector plug to release it from the light unit and withdraw the headlight assembly from the car, taking care to support the assembly (this is when the bumper paint chipping can occur if done in a heavy-handed way !).

4) Place the headlight glass-side down on a soft cloth and open the back of the unit (by undoing the 2 x spring wires that keep the metal backplate closed). The backplate is retained to the lamp by braided wiring so will not detach fully !

5) Using a long, thin implement (an electrical screwdriver or a table knife will work well) flick the thin metal lever that protrudes from the side of the light upwards for Continental setting); it moves a "shutter" that shields one side of the beam from dazzling oncoming drivers !

6) Reverse the actions 4 to 1 above to reinstall, remembering to put a dab of vaseline on the flat side of the retaining tab to allow easy removal in future. One tab was greased on my V50, the other was dry when received from Volvo !

7) Repeat for the opposite headlight.

8) Be aware that the self-levelling mechanism doesn't always prevent dazzling, so be prepared for the locals to still flash you.

9) The instructions in the owner's manual imply that the "shutter" adjustment lever is larger than it actually is in reality; it's only a 5mm long 1mm thick piece of grey pressed steel and NOT the substantial lever as shown in the manual illustration !

10) These instructions only apply to V50 with active bending beam Xenons.

Don't let the dealers charge you for this simple job which only requires a soft cloth and tableknife or long, thin screwdriver to achieve.

I'll try an host some photos on a photosharing website tomorrow to help illustrate the steps shown above and post the like here.

It would be good to see photos, if you can

[Mancuniandragon]

The dealer told me to switch off the bending lights and just have them static. No problems driving abroad with other car users.

[T5R92011]

Interesting.

On my old P2 S60 which had ABLs, to convert to LH/RH traffic you just held down the ABL button on the centre console and the would automatically sweep across to whichever setting you were activating.

Display by the spedometer would say "Lights st to LH/RH Traffic".

Surprised the S40's with ABL don't do this.

[SignumGB]

Reading the above and uncertainly, think I'll just buy beam deflectors for £3 when going to France and save all the hassle! I have the xenon lights too with active bending.