Headlight - Adjustment Procedure
Group 63
Lights
Bulletin Number
63 02 98
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
April 1998
Product Engineering
SUBJECT:
E39 Headlights Adjustment Procedure
MODEL:
E39, 5 Series vehicles manufactured after March of 1998
Situation:
Since April of 1998 production, a new type of headlight assembly is being used in E39 (5 Series) vehicles. The bubble for vertical and the wheel for
horizontal adjustments have been eliminated from the unit, therefore a proper headlight vertical aim adjustment procedure should be utilized when
the lights are realigned.
Note:
The headlight can only be adjusted vertically. The horizontal aim is preset at the factory and does not need to be adjusted.
Procedure:
Each new headlight is equipped with two vertical aiming adjustment features marked "V". These adjusters have to be turned equally in direction and
number of turns.
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Before adjustment:
^ Ensure that the vehicle is parked on a flat, horizontal level surface 7.5 m (25 feet) in front of the viewing screen (e.g. wall), measured from the
front of the headlight lens.
^ Verify that all tires are correctly inflated.
^ Load driver's seat with a 165 lb. (75 kg) weight. Vehicle's fuel tank should be full, or additional weight should be placed in the trunk.
Adjusting procedure:
^ Measure the height of the headlight from the ground to the center of the headlamp (center = optical axis, which is marked with a point on the
lens).
^ Use that dimension to mark a horizontal line on the wall (H).
^ Switch headlights on. Turn both adjusters of each headlight equally in direction and number of turns until the cut off line (border line between
light and dark areas) is 52 mm (2.1") below the marked line on the screen.
