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HID Headlights pointed up too high?

18K views 57 replies 26 participants last post by  comnjeep 
#1 · (Edited)
IIRC there was a thread about headlights up too high and blinding oncoming drivers or even some got the highbeam flash from other motorist.


ETA: just did 1.5 turns Counter-clockwise to lower it with an allen wrench - will test it out at night to see.
 
#5 ·
Kind of ridiculous that some new Jeeps are coming with their HID's aimed too high. You would think this is something that needs to be spot on especially from the factory. Considering that if HID projectors are aimed too high its a safety hazard you would think they would get it right. Then again, it is Chrysler were talking about. Fortunately they were aimed perfectly in my 2012 Overland.
 
#9 ·
I have the QL and find this to be an issue as well. However sometimes the headlights are aimed normal. I wonder if when we start the car in park mode, the headlights adjust based on that height so when it's lifted to NRH, it's too high. If you drive and find yourself blinding other drivers, change the height to sport and you'll notice this is no longer the case.
 
#12 ·
When new or dirty there is some glare that oncoming drivers may consider annoying. Thats one of the reason many countries require headlight washers with HIDs. Otherwise, my QL headlights seem to be adjusted about right from the factory. They do change real time for ride hight, some have noticed automatic aiming adjustments as they move over larger bumps as the system responds to hight sensor changes. Automatic aiming is just a shutter that moves up and down.
 
#13 ·
Ok, first off, let me apologize for this long post, but it's a pretty unique issue with my 13' Overland Summit.

The night I picked up the truck, I pull out of the lot and find that the headlights are aimed way to high; just like some of you guys here. I come back the next day and they adjust them to what they say "is normal height". Ok fine.

The next night, I leave my house and am driving through town; the headlights were fine, aimed just right. I proceed to pull onto the highway and the lights completely drop to the ground. I thought maybe this was normal, but they kept lowering to the point they are less than 7 feet in front of the truck(!!) I get off my exit, and they raise right back up to "city driving height" lets call it.

The other issue is, that the auto-level aspect of the lights are completely opposite of any other WK2 Jeep Limited and above that I've driven. Normally, the initial auto-level happens when you start the truck up: they lower down and raise back up to a level position. Mine on the other hand, raise straight up to the sky, stay there for 10 seconds and then lower back down to where they were when I started the vehicle.

Forget about aiming issues when the truck is in off-road mode I & II; in that case no leveling happens at all, they simply stay aimed to the sky.

It seems that they lower drastically above 50mph, so much so, I have to drive with my high beams on; which are aimed where my regular "city driving height". Its quite annoying that I have a brand new vehicle and I can't drive it at night for fear I'll hit something I can't see. My local dealer has put a request into Chrysler to investigate, as they have never heard nor seen this before.

Does or has anyone had this issue before??? Please help lol.... ahhhh
 
#15 ·
The dealer lowered mine as well and they were spot on until I hit highway speeds again. Then they drop down to the ground and I can't see sh*t. I'm not towing anything at this point in time. Also, FYI, I have the QL.

Update: I went to the dealer and they replaced the passenger side headlamp; saying this is where the auto level module is. This still has NOT solved my problem. Last night they dropped down even while driving around town. This is ridiculous, my 2011 never had these issue and still doesn't to this day as is I still have it. I went under the good and the driver side headlamp adjuster is completely stripped of any shape to put the screw driver in. So, I'm stuck with a $50k truck that I can't drive at night. I've been back
To the dealer 5 times for this issue and I've only had the truck 2.5 weeks. I'm getting really fed up.

Do you guys think I should maybe swap the '13 headlights for a set from a '12 or even an '11??
 
#16 ·
I'm wondering if it has something to do with the wiring. Maybe the leveler is using the wrong polarity. So when the lights are supposed to go down they are going up instead. Or maybe, the auto leveling in the suspension is loose or not functioning properly. Either way, you need to get someone from the dealership to go for a ride with you at night.
 
#19 · (Edited)
I don't have any information for you on the wiring. The problem is probably in the headlight unit it self, not in the wiring harness. I would take it back to the dealer and have them go for a ride with you and then they will see the problem. The car is under warranty so I would stop trying to figure it out on your own. The problem I see is you are telling a service person what the problem is and they then send it to someone to adjust the lights. That is not the problem! It is in the functioning of the lights, leveler etc. not an adjustment. You say that normally, the lights should begin with the lights aiming low then going to normal on startup. If the lights are starting high and then going to normal you should show them and have them explain why it is different from your other Jeep. The only way fix the problem is to actually show them what is going on in person. Ask for the service manager or technician to ride with you.
 
#20 ·
I'd rather address the problem myself than have some "technician", barely capable of obtaining his GED, attempt to wrap his head around the scope of the problem and rectify the problem to my satisfaction.

I simply have had too many bad experiences to trust the competence and workmanship of the dealership's service department before my own. Obviously, if it's something outside of my ability it will have to see the dealer, but I'd rather take a crack at it myself.

Anyone know where I can source a factory service manual?
 
#21 ·
In Australia we get the HID headlights with self levelling as standard with all models (mind you we pay lots more for the vehicle too....).
Ours is parked in a garage each night and when started any time the headlights automatically come on due to the low light sensor, from the drivers seat the reflection can be seen on a concrete fence opposite.
As they light up you can clearly see the aiming function operating - initially they are aimed down and then they rise up to level with very small trim adjustments until they settle - takes 1 or 2 seconds.
If the Jeep makes a level adjustment with the QL or if you manually raise it up - the lights adjust as the fore and aft angle changes when first the back suspension rises and then the front. The end result is that the light level is the same on the fence as it was before the vehicle height was changed.
Ours works fine on the road, good visibility, and never been flashed by oncoming vehicles in 9 months of ownership.

Before adjusting the headlights manually perhaps the levelling function needs to be checked for correct operation.
I have no idea how the aiming sensor operates but from earlier posts it sounds to me like that may the the culprit - the lights are moving but to an incorrect position.

We too suffer from poorly trained dealer techs but it really isn't rocket science - you would think the dealer would have a testing and aiming procedure that would diagnose an issue.
 
#23 ·
I believe the problem is inside the headlight assembly. The up and down wires to the leveler are probably reversed. You will have to remove the assembly and try to trace the wires to the motor and reverse the wires. If you could get a hold on a properly working assembly and try it in your car that would get you going in the proper direction.
I am wondering if CJMAJ423 has removed his lights from his 2011 and placed them in his 2013 to see if it solves the problem. Maybe he will chime in and let us know.
 
#27 ·
I take that back - there must be a separate and independent level sensor for the headlights for vehicles equipped with Intelibeam headlights but not QuadraLift.

On my numerous BMWs, Audis, and my Range Rover the sensor for the headlight leveling system has been located on the rear axle. I don't see anything like that in the factory parts manual in the rear suspension section nor do I see anything in the sensor section. Same goes for the front. There is a ride height sensor for the air suspension, however.

Hmm. :confused:
 
#29 · (Edited)
IIRC there was a thread about headlights up too high and blinding oncoming drivers or even some got the highbeam flash from other motorist.


ETA: just did 1.5 turns Counter-clockwise to lower it with an allen wrench - will test it out at night to see.
I used to hate getting flashed all the time. I realized after a while that if I put the Jeep in Sport mode that it lowers the car to aerodynamic height (same as freeway driving) and that's perfect for driving on the street with oncoming cars. So anytime it's dark out and my headlights come on I just turn QL to Sport.

No mechanical headlight adjustments needed.
 
#30 ·
That's exactly how I modified my driving habits...night time I'm always in Sport mode. Well actually most of the time I'm in sport mode with the auto-stick on 5. That feels like the best combination for around town/city driving. I rarely get flashed in sport mode at night but I did a lot in Normal.
 
#31 ·
There's no reason a vehicle of this caliber should require a workaround in order for a primary system to function safely and/or properly.

Subjectively, I do not like how stiff the ride is in Sport on the rough and pot hole ridden surface streets.

I'm going to bring this up to the dealer when it goes in for service. I think the best way to unequivocally verify the problem is during the start-up leveling calibration. If the light go full down and then back up to level out = the system is functioning properly. Should the headlights go full up and the back down to "level" out = not functioning correctly.

To prove the point I may have to demonstrate on one of the new vehicles on the lot; I hope, therefore, this is not an issue on recent production GCs!
 
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