I seem to have developed a strange problem. My '05 xenons had always been rock steady and point down the road just where they should. I love the bright white light and can see better with them. However, they seem to have developed a rather annoying problem - If the lights are on and I stay below 30 MPH they are fine. But, if I'm over 30 MPH and touch the brake pedal - ever so slightly, or even purposefully, the self levelers go crazy and the lights start bobbing up and down. I first noticed this late last week when it seemed my headlights were suddenly "flashing" the overhead roadsigns when braking on the freeway. I've since nailed it down to the 30+ MPH speed range. I can only imagine how annoying it must be to drivers in front of me when I brake and it appears I am waggling my hi-beams at them.

Anyone have any ideas on how/why the self-leveling mechanism might be flaking out? If I remember reading somewhere correctly, the "sensor" is mounted to one of the rear control arms.

 

Hi, not sure if this helps, but have read similar problem either on this site or mini2.com. Question, do you have lower springs ie Eibachs? if so, did you or a non dealer fit?

Reason is, that the Xenon light levellers are on the suspension, some aftermarket fitment people damage this or do not handle with care, as such you then have these problems. My Eibachs were fitted by dealer for this reason. Hope this helps.

 

Sting is in the shop for a simular reason. He looks down all of the time and the lights won't level, (making it unsave to drive at night).
I got a call from the dealership yesterday, (gotta Love Global Imports) they are replacing the whole light assemblies.

Take the car in and have it checked out. If you don't, you could be in a situatation where the lights won't work at all.

 

Sounds like the first thing to do is make sure the linkages on the two suspension height detectors are hooked up and the electrical connections to them are not loose. There is one on the left front control arm and another on the left rear.

 

MINI is still on stock suspension so will look at the sensors on LF and LR (thanks!). I had already asked the dealer/service to look at it about a week ago but they couldn't find anything. And that was before I figured out that it happens only above 30 MPH.

 

To many mechanics these days are not trouble shooting just parts swapping. Cost the Dealership/MINI more in the long run which we end up paying for. From the description of the problem that is the logical deduction. I can't imagine both headlights having the same problem with the leveling ram on the unit at the same time.
Rather than just throw parts at the problem.

 

Good advice to check the leveling sensors in front and rear. I found the problem - the cable from the left front sensor was rubbing on the drive shaft boot at the transmission. Insulation was worn completely off of two of the three wires and I guess it was shorting out at higher speeds. Cable will need to be replaced at the dealer - black tape protecting it as a patch until then. Here's a pic of the "damage"

 

Sorry about your problem but glad the info helped. Looks like a
simple fix.

 

Yea, better fix than mine. Global is replacing both head light units. The motors are bad on both of them.

 

Congrats on finding the problem (nice photographic evidence of the carnage too!)