7 replies to this topic

[M700FGT]

Hi all,

 

Just had the dreaded MOT on my 97 Cooper MPI.

 

I fitted a new set of P700 Lucas headlights just before the MOT. The previous headlights had been butchered - wrong clips, wrong screws and headlight motors not working. Even the wiring was a mess - all down to previous owners. But somehow this passed the MOT over the last fews years.  

 

With the exception of the motors, i replaced everything. All new and corrects clips, screws, adjusters, rings - even the wiring loom. I knew they needed adjusting for the MOT, but they failed.

 

The passengers side is perfect (Manually adjusted without the motor) but the drivers side is flicking up light to the right. The MOT guys tried everything, took the lights out, put it all back together and it was still exactly the same. I even had a go while at the garage and got the same result. 

 

The only way we can get the light pattern to line up correctly, is to remove the clips from the retaining ring, then spin the entire light (anticlockwise if you are facing the light). At that point the light pattern fits.

 

These aren't sided. They don't do a left hand driver version. All the clips match up and the lights look identical.

 

We have used electrical tape on the front to get them through while i work out the issue,  but im not sure what to do next. The garage are suggesting re-drilling the holes in the wing, but im not keen on that idea and think its something silly that's been missed.

 

Has anyone else had this problem, or can help? 

 

 

 

Attached Files

•  light.jpg   39.06K   3 downloads

[richmondclassicsnorthwales]

There must be a problem with either the bulb or the unit. If you have to spin it 180, then something is amiss.

 

Is the halogen bulb seated correctly ?

 

I replaced a bulb for an MOT in a unit and it was not in rightly, the beam was amiss. Took it out and put it back in, and bingo, job done

 

My 2 penneth worth of input for this problem - see what others throw in the box

[imack]

As above, I presume the bulb is correctly fitted/seated. I have known bulbs to be faulty and give incorrect beam images so I'd try swapping the bulb first. If that doesn't sort it then it's got to be a faulty lamp unit.

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

I had a problem with mine - you could see when shining the nearside dipped beam onto the garage door that the part of the pattern on the right which was supposed to be horizontal was instead angled up a few degrees to the right ready to dazzle oncoming drivers. 

 

Eyeing up the light from the front you could see that it was turned clockwise, the offside headlight was turned slightly anti-clockwise.  Holding a small spirit level against one of the vertical markings on the lense confirmed this too. Also you could see that the raised dimple at the top of the headlight trim was offset from centre towards the outside of the car, subtle but noticeable.

 

It seemed to be a combination of badly fitted wings on both sides but also on the nearside the lugs on the headlight itself (which the inner retaining ring clamps to) were fitted incorrectly which made the problem far worse on that side. 

 

Now these headlights were some cheap halogen type which the vehicle came with so I replaced them with Cibie ones which sorted one of the problems.  After this I elongated the holes in the wing for the nearside headlamp bowl to rotate it into the correct position.  Not ideal but a lot easier than re-welding the front end. 

 

I'd expect the Lucas units you have to have the lugs fitted correctly but it's worth checking. 

[Bobbins]

From the photo the headlamp actually looks to be rotated slightly anti-clockwise?

[GraemeC]

Are they genuine Lucas lamp units?

[mk3 Cooper S]

Are they genuine Lucas lamp units?

No they are copies - Hence p700 in tripod rather than Lucas.

 

Try straightening your lamp in the bowl, bottom of the triangle should be horizontally level.

[KernowCooper]

As already said check the bulb for fitment, just to say I have come across pattern headlights where the bulb holder is not fitted correctly in the light assembly, if you've not already done it, I'd take both lights out and do a side by side with the one that has the correct patter and see if it is correct.