What to Do When the Car Headlight Adjustment Screw Doesn't Work?
4 Answers
The solution when the car headlight adjustment screw doesn't work is: go to a 4S shop for repair or replacement. The method for adjusting car headlights is: 1. Drive the car to a flat and open road surface; 2. Turn on the car headlights, adjust the low beam projection point to about 30m away from the car, making the two projection points coincide; 3. Adjust the high beam projection point to be parallel to the ground. Car headlights, also known as car front lights or car LED daytime running lights, can be maintained by: 1. Regularly checking the seal of the headlights, and replacing the sealing ring between the lens and reflector if damaged; 2. Regularly cleaning the reflector, and replacing it if it turns black or the light intensity decreases; 3. Regularly cleaning dust and stains on the bulb.
As a truck driver with over 20 years of experience, I've encountered several instances of headlight adjustment screw failure. There are typically three causes: screw stripping causing free rotation, internal adjustment gear jamming or breaking, or the adjustment linkage coming loose or deforming. If you're handling it yourself, you can remove the headlight cover and use a screwdriver to test which component is the issue. Last time, my adjustment gear broke, and I used AB glue to temporarily fix it for two days before spending 80 yuan at the repair shop for a new gear. Before starting, remember to prepare new screws as backups, ensuring they match the original specifications—different vehicles use different hex or Phillips head types. Honestly, a faulty adjustment screw has a significant impact: lights set too high can blind oncoming traffic, while lights set too low make it hard to see the road, requiring extra caution when driving at night. If you encounter this issue, don't push through—get it fixed as soon as possible for safety.
Having worked in auto repair shops for over a decade, dealing with headlight adjustment screw failures is a common job. The main causes are usually these: stripped screws that won't hold, worn adjustment gears that slip, deformed spring plates that lose elasticity, or poor electrical contact. A simple method is to use a multimeter to measure the resistance of the adjustment motor to pinpoint the issue. During repairs, the headlight assembly needs to be removed. If the screw threads are stripped, re-tap and replace the screws. If the gear is damaged, replacing it costs no more than fifty yuan. However, if the entire motor is faulty, the whole assembly needs to be replaced, costing around two hundred yuan. Remind car owners not to force the screws, as the plastic base can easily crack, requiring replacement of the entire headlight housing. The dangers of improperly adjusted headlights are significant. A deviation of more than 20 degrees in the beam range is considered unqualified and can easily lead to accidents.
As a post-90s car owner, I encountered a malfunctioning headlight adjustment screw last year. Initially thinking it was an operation issue, I repeatedly turned it with no response. After searching online, I realized it might be internal damage. I tried opening the headlight rear cover and saw the adjustment screw rotating but the light beam remained stationary - likely a disconnected linkage. After failing to reset it with needle-nose pliers, I decisively went to a repair shop. The mechanic diagnosed a misaligned adjustment gear within ten minutes, fixed it by reinstalling, and charged 50 yuan. My advice: don't struggle with it if you're not handy - professional tools handle it better. Now during regular maintenance, I always ask mechanics to check light angles to prevent this issue proactively.
