Self adjusting headlight motor

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My Name: Babooshka

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Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Aug 25, 2021 3:59 pm
Model: C3 2002-2005, Original shape model
Year: 2002 (02)
Engine Size: 1.4
Fuel Type: Petrol
Mileage: 63928
Trim Level: SX
Gearbox: Manual 5 speed
DPF: No
LHD or RHD: RHD (UK)
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Hi all.

I have a problem with my nearside headlight.. it had water in it and subsequently the motor was running all of the time. I got a scrapper headlight and swapped them out.. now the headlight is fully dried out I have decided to put the wet one back in.. [obvs now it's totally dry] scarpper headlight is very badly discoloured and has been flagged up on MOT as advisory. So figured I could swap out for the original H/L. BUT I can't hear ANY noise from the motor when it is plugged back in.. is this normal? and by adjusting either the white cog or the other adjuster they don't seem to move? I'm guessing that that is not normal? does it matter if the motor works? [is this purely for adjustment of when the car has fuller loads in it? ] or does it have to work for MOT? though not sure how they could test that..or why for that matter? I'm probably not making much sense as I'm trying to get across [badly] my query... [sorry about that my memory is shocking!]
I realise that the motor assembly is fixed and a new H/L unit will be needed if it is banjaxed..or is there a way to test it? the H/L works perfectly aside from the motor.

thank you

Julie
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My Name: C3CAR

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Model: C3 2002-2005, Original shape model
Year: 2002 (02)
Engine Size: 1.4 (16v)
Fuel Type: Diesel
Mileage: 140000
Trim Level: Exclusive
Gearbox: Manual 5 speed
DPF: No
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Babooshka wrote: ↑Thu Aug 26, 2021 1:15 pm Hi all.

I have a problem with my nearside headlight.. it had water in it and subsequently the motor was running all of the time. I got a scrapper headlight and swapped them out.. now the headlight is fully dried out I have decided to put the wet one back in.. [obvs now it's totally dry] scarpper headlight is very badly discoloured and has been flagged up on MOT as advisory. So figured I could swap out for the original H/L. BUT I can't hear ANY noise from the motor when it is plugged back in.. is this normal? and by adjusting either the white cog or the other adjuster they don't seem to move? I'm guessing that that is not normal? does it matter if the motor works? [is this purely for adjustment of when the car has fuller loads in it? ] or does it have to work for MOT? though not sure how they could test that..or why for that matter? I'm probably not making much sense as I'm trying to get across [badly] my query... [sorry about that my memory is shocking!]
I realise that the motor assembly is fixed and a new H/L unit will be needed if it is banjaxed..or is there a way to test it? the H/L works perfectly aside from the motor.

thank you

Julie

Hello

I don't think it matters that the motor doesn't work.

If you get any problems with the MOT tester, just remove the switch that is for the electronic adjustment and your car will then be the same as all those that doesn't have it.

The white cogs do make a difference, but you may not be able to notice the small adjustment it makes. Putting the lights on and pointing the car a few feet from a wall to project the headlight beam against it may show the cog adjustment better.

Citroen C3 headlight adjustment wheel in car
Citroen C3 headlight adjustment wheel in car
Citroen_C3_headlight_adjustment.jpeg (30.51 KiB) Viewed 102 times


You may find the previously wet headlight motor is now toast, it gets corroded by water and this could be why you can't hear anything. But you may see the electronic adjustment working if the motor is ok, by following the procedure above to project the beam against a close wall.
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User avatar
My Name: Babooshka

Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Aug 25, 2021 3:59 pm
Model: C3 2002-2005, Original shape model
Year: 2002 (02)
Engine Size: 1.4
Fuel Type: Petrol
Mileage: 63928
Trim Level: SX
Gearbox: Manual 5 speed
DPF: No
LHD or RHD: RHD (UK)
Has thanked: 2 times

Post

C3CAR wrote: ↑Thu Aug 26, 2021 3:02 pm Hello

I don't think it matters that the motor doesn't work.

If you get any problems with the MOT tester, just remove the switch that is for the electronic adjustment and your car will then be the same as all those that doesn't have it.

The white cogs do make a difference, but you may not be able to notice the small adjustment it makes. Putting the lights on and pointing the car a few feet from a wall to project the headlight beam against it may show the cog adjustment better.


Citroen_C3_headlight_adjustment.jpeg



You may find the previously wet headlight motor is now toast, it gets corroded by water and this could be why you can't hear anything. But you may see the electronic adjustment working if the motor is ok, by following the procedure above to project the beam against a close wall.
Thanks C3CAR for the reply :) much appreciated. I guess i'd have to have a blanking plate if I decided to go down the route of disconnecting the motor from switch? scrappers? mebbe ebay..hmmm.
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