Headlight adjustment screw not turning

[In_a_state]

Hello, 

I'm not managing to vertically adjust a headlight of my 2015 IS, the screw rod thing turns but bounces back.

I'd prefer not taking it all apart to get that bolt unstuck. 

[welland]

Did you get this fixed

[agent_dess]

 

it looks like you are trying to adjust the headlight "horizontally" and not vertically

[agent_dess]

I have my MOT booked for monday, i would like to know if the aim is below the nroaml level before i go adjusting it, last thing i need is an MOT failure.

But i am wondering why so many of us think the light level is too low, is that normal for the IS300h.  I have replaced 1 headlight so i can explain the low aim at that, but others they have not swapped headlights so its interesting that they all seem to agree headlight aim is too low.

[ikeja]

I find the headlights on my 2016 IS300H are nowhere near as good as the ones I had on my 2008 SAAB 9-3 Ttid Aero.

[ColinBarber]

On 10/11/2023 at 9:43 PM, In_a_state said:

I'm not managing to vertically adjust a headlight of my 2015 IS, the screw rod thing turns but bounces back.

That isn't how they are adjusted - you don't mechanically move the whole light unit on the fixings, you adjust the controls to move the internal bulb/protector lens.

 

 

On 12/5/2023 at 3:33 PM, agent_dess said:

But i am wondering why so many of us think the light level is too low, is that normal for the IS300h. 

It's been a number of years since I owned an IS300h but from what I recall I never felt the beams needed adjusting.

Edited December 7, 2023 by ColinBarber

[matt8]

1 hour ago, ColinBarber said:

That isn't how they are adjusted - you don't mechanically move the whole light unit on the fixings, you adjust the controls to move the internal bulb/protector lens.

 

 

It's been a number of years since I owned an IS300h but from what I recall I never felt the beams needed adjusting.

What is that white funnel-like piece that OP was turning in the video used for?

[ColinBarber]

12 hours ago, matt8 said:

What is that white funnel-like piece that OP was turning in the video used for?

My mistake, that is the adjuster for left/right positioning - although OP wants to move up/down so is using the wrong one. I imagine the flex shaft or the adjuster itself has seized over time - other than squirting some penetrating oil down between the shaft outer pipe the headlight would need to be removed to light to free up the mechanism.

[In_a_state]

The (what turned out to be) side adjustment eventually broke but vertical adjustment worked, can't believe I was so dumb to get the screw wrong. 

There are cutouts in the plastic trims for the adjustment, thanks Toyota! 

However, for my EU spec LHD car the screws had to turn counterclockwise for up and clockwise for left. 

Sidenote, I ordered hcmotion headlights anyway, hoping for better output and design. 

Thanks gents!

[agent_dess]

Just giving me final update on this.

I had MOT in December and the tester said the headlight was low but within tolerance levels and that despite try he couldn't reach the vertical adjustment screw and only did the horizontal.

Fast forward and i had my Service done at Lexus on Friday and i asked for headlights level to be looked at.

The technician stated they don't have an MOT station and thus don't have access to a lamp to check level but compared to the markings on their door the levels were lower but stated its a lower down car, he asked if i wanted them adjusted he could take car over to Toyota next door as they have an MOT station, i told them to go ahead.   

So i went to collect the car and the technician said the MOT stations were fully booked so he couldn't access to the lamp but he made the adjust best he could while ensuring it doesn't fail MOT next time he also showed me how to adjust them.

They vertical adjustment is made from the area in red (see bottom left and right in the image above)
Screwdriver is inserted into the plastic trim that runs along the bonnet.

Here is a closeup courtesy of @In_a_state

I have not been on a dark road since the technician made the adjustment but im sure it will be far better visibility that what it was prior to it and next time i get an MOT i can tell the tester how to adjust the vertical alignment and get it done properly using their lamp.

Hope this Helps 🙂