So I just determined that my passenger side headlight is not auto dip-ing as it should. In fact I think the headlight is stuck in an upward angle of attack. It's throwing an insane amount of light up at street signs on the freeway from a mile away.

When I start up the car in the garage and engage the headlamps I notice the driver side Moves upward and holds at a normal level. Meanwhile the passenger side stays stationary and sits a bit higher.

Anyone else have this issue before and what was the fix? I'm hoping it's some loose motor connection or some computer reboot or whatever and not needing a replacement unit. Thoughts?

 

Well... this can't be good. 107 views but nobody has shared a similar experience. Hope I'm not the only one that has been through this

 

Sorry. Never seen that happen or mentioned in the forums before.

 

Thats what I am beginning to think. I think I will have to make a trip to the nearest dealership (500 miles away). just to have it looked at. Once I know more I will report back with what I find out so that we have it in the future as reference for anyone else. REALLY hoping I don't need to replace the headlamp. NOT FUN.

 

Do the Jeremy Clarkson way? Hit it with a hammer?

 

Shot in the dark (sorry) here, but is there any chance it's just aimed incorrectly? I'm assuming you have HIDs. In my car, when I switch the lights on they (both) appear to move up to the correct height after a very brief delay, which seems to match your description of what your driver's side headlight is doing. Is your passenger's side light not moving at all, or is it moving too high?

 

The passenger side isn't moving at all and appears to be stuck upwards.

 

Sounds like a stripped plastic gear.
The only way to know for sure is disassembly and test to see if the actuator motor is actually running.
If you can hear the actuator motor run, it's probably the gear is stripped.
If you can't hear the motor run, check for power & continuity.
I don't know if there is an individual fuse for each motor (or fusible link), but if the motor is not running, check there first.
I'm not fluent with the AM system, but it seems to be similar to the volkswagen system.

 

Here's some information from the Service Manual:
"The ‘Automatic Dynamic Headlamp Levelling System’
consists of:
• An Automatic Dynamic Headlamp Levelling System ECU
• A level sensor for the front suspension
• A level sensor for the rear suspension
• A bi-polar stepper motor mounted in the housing of each
headlamp
The Automatic Dynamic Headlamp Levelling System
prevents the dipped beam dazzling oncoming road traffic by
varying the angular position of the dipped (and main beam)
headlamp units relative to the position of the vehicles
suspension.
Static condition - Compensates for boot or occupant load
condition.
Dynamic condition - Compensates for suspension
movements due to acceleration and deceleration. The
sensitivity of the system is dependent on vehicle speed and
the rate of change of the vehicle speed.
High amplitude low frequency inputs such as those caused
by potholes are filtered out to desensitise the system in
constant speed situations."

Hopefully they sell the stepper motor separately from the headlight module, if you need it?

Also, if you check your owners manual, there should be "Headlight Alignment" instructions in section 10. You could try to get your "lazy eye" pointed back down at the roadway until such time as you figure out what is wrong, or get to your dealer. FYI, adjusting the Vertical aim also affects the horizontal aim to a degree. If you decide to go that route, you'll need to "fiddle" with both adjustments for a proper adjustment.

 

Thanks guys, all good info here. I have not had to do too much night driving as of late and I plan to take it do a dealership in Vegas on the 24th of this month so I think I will just live with it till then. Let the AM techs tell me exactly what is going on and how to fix it. I'll report back on what I find so that we all have this thread for future reference. What does a new lamp unit run anyways? I'm guessing 1,500 to 2,000?

 

So I can now report back. According to the Dealership my Aston's Lazy Eye is non-fixable and thus needs an eye transplant! (all new headlight assembly) -LOVELY! So I am now on the hunt for a Federal Passenger side headlight HID assembly. Found one on Aston Martin Bits and I'm planning my purchase now. GRRRRR.