Shutter/Switch on Xenon question

[tomshenstone]

Hi,

Looking at my photos below theres a small (2cm diameter) circular rubber cap in the top of my X5's Xenon lights. When I remove the cap theres a long thin metal lever sticking up that can be switched left or right. It seems to be mechanical and affects the shutter in some way.

Question 1:
Is the lever used to change the cut-off so the xenon lights can be used in markets where cars drive on the left and the right of the road?

Question 2:
What are the correct settings for a car built to drive on the right hand side of the road (I'm in the UK where everyone drives on the left...) - should the lever be set left or right in both headlights the same or different?

This photo shows a view from above the headlight and the position of the rubber cap:



This photo zooms into the rubber cap:



This photo shows the rubber cap removed:



This photo shows the lever in one position:



This photo shows the lever in the other position:



Any help would be appreciated - Thanks,
Tom

[xnsf]

hmmm...very interesting...

since you drive on the left side of the road, the left headlamp should a slightly higher

did you turn on the lights with the lever in both positions?

[Zulu95]

You are correct. It eliminates the beam pattern that "kicks up" to the left to illuminate the kerb/street signs etc. It should be easy to work out with the lights on at night. Moving the lever should produce flat topped beam pattern.

[dkl]

In the US, pointing straight into a flat wall, the light pattern should be something like ___/- ___/-

The UK should have the opposite: -\___ -\___

Flip the switch until you see the correct pattern.

[Zulu95]

Originally Posted by dkl

In the US, pointing straight into a flat wall, the light pattern should be something like ___/- ___/-

The UK should have the opposite: -\___ -\___

Flip the switch until you see the correct pattern.

Is there asn echo in here?

[dkl]

It's an echo with illustrations

[GiRARDsays]

my lights don't have that feature. i have HIDs also.

[Zulu95]

It only applies to right hand drive vehicles. I have a new OEM "clear corner" Japanese area light with the same features.

[tomshenstone]

Hi all,

Thanks for your replies. First time I've posted here and I didn't expect so many replies & so quick.

Some background: The car is from the Italian market (Steering wheel on the left and they drive on the right of the road) and I'm importing it into the UK.

xnsf: I did as you suggested and flicked the switch (while the lights were on) and saw the result which Zulu95 predicted - a flat topped beam. The beam pattern that "kicks up" to the side (in my case an Italian car therefore to the right) suddenly disappeared.

dkl: I had hoped flicking the switch would change the beam throw from:
__/- __/- to -\__ -\__ but instead it changes it from __/-__/- to a simple flat beam. Therefore I guess Xenon lights for the UK market are a different part number/design to Xenon lights for the rest of Europe & USA...

Cheers,
Tom

[Zulu95]

The shutter has to be a different shape for UK. (Reversed to RHD.) The shutter moves in to block the cutout and modify the beam.