Strange Headlight alignment
 

Hello folks,

I have been searching around the forums, and the internet but not found my specific fault. I have found billman's headlight projection diagram and the headlight adjustment infomation.

I'm looking for a bit of advice on this issue I have encountered.
After travelling down to Leicester this weekend, I was told by other drivers on the trip that my lights looked like they were not working correctly.
The car had just passed an MOT the day before, Saturday. Recent work carried out was a rear end underseal where I removed the auto-levelling sensor.
I can't remember what the lighting used to be like at night as I haven't driven the car in a couple of months at night.

I have carried out the auto-level check, ignition on and cycle lights 5 times.

I appear to have the correct headlight projection pattern, or so I think I have.. Please correct me.
But the light intensity is quite different between LH and RH light. My RH light appears to be projecting alot less light, and does not have such a defined projection pattern as the LH side.
Please see attached photos.

From inside the car, both headlights active.

From outside the car, LH headlight covered.

From outside the car, RH headlight covered.

Done some further research and found a few forum posts regarding HID Bulb or Ballast.
I believe I have to switch the bulbs over to rule out a bulb going bad, then go from there..

I understood that you would have to disconnect the battery first and leave the lights on to drain the ballasts before touching the dipped beams or you might be in for a shocker.

When HID bulbs start to fail the light they project usually starts to change colour. If you look at the headlights when they're on you might see one appears more orange than the other.

HID Bulbs are expected to have a lifespan of around 10 years.

I've always ensured they're switched off for five minutes when playing with HIDs.

But you could pull the headlamp fuses and wait five, to be sure.

That RHS light does appear dim/off-colour.

If they are the original lamps, they are cheap as a pair ... you don't need the bumper off either - there is access via the wheel arches but the clips will be old so get some spares and heat the plastic with a hairdryer first if it's a colder day ... will make the job a lot easier. Oh and speaking from experience, double check you reseat the lamps properly and clip them in securely.

Fine mole grips also deal with the security screw holding the rear lamp cover on - if you don't have the correct tool to hand.