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R56 2010 MINI's Xenon not auto-adjusting

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Old Nov 30, 2009 | 11:24 AM
  #1  
zemina's Avatar
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2010 MINI's Xenon not auto-adjusting

Hello,

I have another question about our 2010 MINI S.

First, Xenon lights. I have read many posts here about Xenon's auto leveling feature when turned on but I noticed our MINI's Xenon lights do not auto adjust up and down when turned on. Is that also 2010 MINI things? or they are wrong?

Second, muffler tips. I noticed that they are not in center is that also adjustable? - I don't have a pic for now I will update the pic later -


Thanks in advance.
 

Last edited by zemina; Nov 30, 2009 at 12:27 PM. Reason: Changed the title to use "auto-adjusting"
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Old Nov 30, 2009 | 12:01 PM
  #2  
Robin Casady's Avatar
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I was under the impression that auto-leveling was a legal requirement for Xenon lights. I may be wrong.

Anyway, I don't notice my Xenons my 2007 Xenons adjusting when turned on. I do know that they have auto-leveling because I've seen the unit attached to the suspension that determines the level.

Not sure what you mean by tail pipes not being in center. Photos required.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2009 | 12:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Robin Casady
I was under the impression that auto-leveling was a legal requirement for Xenon lights. I may be wrong...
I believe that it's a Europe law requirement (and washers too) and not DOT or any state law. Also besides leveling when you start they are also dynamically leveling.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2009 | 12:18 PM
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I changed the title.

I thought any MINI with Xenon lights have that feature so they should adjust every time I start MINI. I meant I am not sure how to say, when Xenon lights are first turned on and not even changed colors yet, the lights should self-adjust in elevation? am I right?

And muffler tips - I mean the tailpipes - they are slightly off center I will upload picture later.
 

Last edited by zemina; Nov 30, 2009 at 12:24 PM.
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Old Nov 30, 2009 | 12:24 PM
  #5  
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they should do the dip thing i would think unless they just slighty level out now.

yeah everything should definately be centered up... probably an easy fix w the hangers
 
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Old Nov 30, 2009 | 12:26 PM
  #6  
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Originally Posted by zemina
I thought any MINI with Xenon lights have that feature so they should adjust every time I start MINI. I meant I am not sure how to say, when Xenon lights are first turned on and not even changed colors yet, the lights should self-adjust in elevation? am I right?
Yes, the shutter starts low goes high then levels. Are you sure you have Xenon's? The pic in your sig is of Halogen's but it looks like it's probably your other MINI.

Originally Posted by zemina
And muffler tips - I mean the tailpipes - they are slightly off center I will upload picture later.
Yours must have been assembled in Britain.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2009 | 12:44 PM
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My 2010 xenons auto adjust when i turn them on, but if I turn them off, and then back on they don't. But I do see them adjust when I take off from a stop if there is a car in front of me. Try turning the car off and waiting a bit. I'm sure they are adjusting, you're just not noticing it.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2009 | 01:10 PM
  #8  
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Here is the picture.



I think they are slightly off center
 
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Old Nov 30, 2009 | 01:42 PM
  #9  
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Mine only adjust when starting the car with the headlights on. If I turn them on while the car is running, they just do the cool flash and warm-up common to HIDs. If I leave them on, the next time I start the car, they raise and lower as some kind of checkout sequence. Either way, they auto level anytime I accelerate or brake.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2009 | 02:07 PM
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I believe the Xenons recenter themselves when you first start the car, whether they are on or off. After that point they continuously adjust to level out, but it's hardly noticeable.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2009 | 02:47 PM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by Julien321
Yes, the shutter starts low goes high then levels. Are you sure you have Xenon's? The pic in your sig is of Halogen's but it looks like it's probably your other MINI.


Yours must have been assembled in Britain.
Yep, I just changed my sig with a new picture
 
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Old Nov 30, 2009 | 03:06 PM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by zemina
Here is the picture.
I think they are slightly off center
Can't tell from that picture, because it's not taken from directly behind - you shot it from slightly off to the left. Shoot another from directly behind and we'll have a better idea.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2009 | 06:21 PM
  #13  
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I got to chance to check the Xenon lights and they are working... I just did not notice they were working. Thanks all replies.

Yeah, I took an another picture, but I think it won't hurt.... I am going to ask SA about this issue in a few days.

 
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Old Nov 30, 2009 | 08:34 PM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by zemina
I got to chance to check the Xenon lights and they are working... I just did not notice they were working. Thanks all replies.

Yeah, I took an another picture, but I think it won't hurt.... I am going to ask SA about this issue in a few days.
Looks to me like you're right. And the muffler sags a bit to the right. Looks like it's not mounted on-center. I haven't scrutinized mine...maybe I should.
 
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Old Dec 1, 2009 | 06:03 AM
  #15  
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Yeah zem...it looks off center. My xenons auto adjust. You might want to have that checked as well.
 
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Old Dec 1, 2009 | 06:20 AM
  #16  
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I got in my car last night after work and noticed when i turned the lights on they didnt adjust either... but usually they do. Maybe its just every once in a while.

My initial thought was they dont with the ebrake on, but i havnt tested that theory
 
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Old Dec 1, 2009 | 09:11 AM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by iwashmycar
...My initial thought was they dont with the ebrake on, but i havnt tested that theory
Not a very good theory since the ebrake system (on most cars) is a very basic system (keep it as simple and reliable as possible) with little involved except a manually connected cable to the rear brakes and an in line switch to activate the idiot LED.

Why on earth would the Xenon lighting system be involved or connected in any way to the ebrake when it doesn't even connect to the brake lights?
 
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Old Dec 1, 2009 | 09:47 AM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by Julien321
Why on earth would the Xenon lighting system be involved or connected in any way to the ebrake when it doesn't even connect to the brake lights?
In some situations, releasing the ebrake can change the angle of the car. That could cause the Xenons to adjust--giving the impression that the two are connected. This is my theory on his theory.
 
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Old Dec 1, 2009 | 12:32 PM
  #19  
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If you leave the lights at Auto you can always tell they dip when you start the car (in the dark of course). A least I can.
 
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Old Dec 1, 2009 | 12:45 PM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by Robin Casady
In some situations, releasing the ebrake can change the angle of the car. That could cause the Xenons to adjust--giving the impression that the two are connected. This is my theory on his theory.

pretty much. I know mine squats down a lot with the ebrake on..granted the lights should just self adjust out once released.

and Julien that simple idiot light could just as easily tell the damn headlights to not adjust... simple
 
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Old Dec 1, 2009 | 06:40 PM
  #21  
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My guess, and this is strictly a guess, is that you're starting off on a level surface so the car doesn't need to adjust. My garage is not level. When I put my car in reverse, I practically fly out of the garage. I could hit 8-9 mph right as my front bumper is clearing the garage door if I didn't use my brake. If you're on level ground why would it need to adjust? I agree that your tail pipes are off. But your car is awesome. I love that color combo!
 
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Old Dec 1, 2009 | 09:04 PM
  #22  
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The lights do not auto adjust by turning them on. They auto adjust on car start. If you do not have the lights on right away you will not see it. If you start your car and then turn on the lights on later they will not do the auto adjust.
 
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Old Dec 1, 2009 | 09:11 PM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by 2008 Cooper S
The lights do not auto adjust by turning them on. They auto adjust on car start. If you do not have the lights on right away you will not see it. If you start your car and then turn on the lights on later they will not do the auto adjust.
That's why I've never noticed it. I usually turn the lights off before killing the engine. I don't like firing the ignighters unnecessarily, and never know whether the next time I drive will be day or night. The auto headlight setting always thinks it is night in my garage, so I never use auto.
 
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Old Dec 2, 2009 | 04:17 AM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by Robin Casady
... I don't like firing the ignighters unnecessarily, and never know whether the next time I drive will be day or night...
The igniter is just a simple capacitor and should outlast the car by many years. The ballast would likely wear out/fail before the igniter and both should have a MTBF several times the lamp's 10,000 hour rating. All available info seems to point to HID's as being almost "bullet proof" in OEM implementation. If you can provide some contrary info please post it but I wouldn't (don't) worry about how many starts or how long I use my HID's. Also this is my 4th car with them and have been using HID's since 2001 (S2000).
 
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Old Dec 2, 2009 | 05:26 AM
  #25  
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My initial thought was they dont with the ebrake on, but i havnt tested that hypothesis
Not a very good hypothesis
This is my hypothesis on his hypothesis.
Fixed Sorry, the science teacher in me just couldn't resist.
 
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