headlight adjustment

[pigman]

how do you adjust the head light beam

[ImysE30]

If you underneath the steering wheel, to the left should be the headlight adjuster knob

[charlE30]

Not all E30's had the hydro adjusters that Imyes is talking about (the majority that do don't work either)

To adjust the headlights remove the headlight trim panel in the engine bay exposing the back of the lights. You will then see the adjusters (normally white plastic and 2 per light) give them a good soaking in WD40 as they do seize up, maybe leave them overnight. If you are lucky and they do free up turn them to adjust the angle of the lights. If they are stuck solid you can still get the parts separately from BMW

I'm sure someone will be along to give a better description than I have

[carson218]

How are the hydro adjusters meant to work??

Mine don't do anything when i adjust the knob??

[ImysE30]

It's probably broken like everyone elses

[Brianmoooore]

how do you adjust the head light beam

Which headlamps do you wish to adjust, why, and do you have the adjuster knob by the driver's right knee?

[pigman]

have the adjuster by my right knee,but does not work.the lights i need to adjust are the diped beam lights, as they point for to low.

[ImysE30]

To adjust the headlights remove the headlight trim panel in the engine bay exposing the back of the lights. You will then see the adjusters (normally white plastic and 2 per light) give them a good soaking in WD40 as they do seize up, maybe leave them overnight. If you are lucky and they do free up turn them to adjust the angle of the lights. If they are stuck solid you can still get the parts separately from BMW

[Brianmoooore]

have the adjuster by my right knee,but does not work.the lights i need to adjust are the diped beam lights, as they point for to low.

This is as I suspected! The adjustable headlamps default to their lowest position when the hydraulic fluid leaks out, and are then too low.
The MOT test requirements for headlamp aim are quite rigorous following recent changes, and random twiddling of the adjusters just won't do these days.
The only adjusters you need to touch are the on the failed hydraulic cylinders at the rear of the dipped headlamps.
The black outer case of the cylinder rotates and provides fine adjustment of the beams, but it's likely that this adjustment still won't raise them enough.
There is a threaded steel rod projecting from the front of the cylinders towards the headlamps, and screwing out this rod a few turns, provides a coarse adjustment to get the beams approximately correct, which can then be finely adjusted with the adjustment on the barrels.

[pigman]

thanks mate will try that