Headlamp Adjusters

[Tezerez]

Evening all!
Both of my headlamp adjusters have stopped working on my 2003 tdi 130.
When viewed against a wall, they just "shimmy" as if trying to work but don't move as much as they did.
2 questions: is this the resistor type wiring inside the motor?
Does anyone know the part number to do an e-bay search please?
Thankyou in anticipation.

[Chrispb]

VW part no. 1J0941295A  no price

Ford 1041664 Ã,£41.47 inc vat

[Tezerez]

Thanks for quick reply, will start searching!

[gregers]

you can attempt to carryout repairs to the motor/s
BEFORE YOU CARRY OUT ANY REPAIRS set the switch to the lowest position.

iirc you do have to remove the headlight and locate the little black box.
it may be that the motor just needs re greasing,it is a fiddly job but will save you your dosh.

[Tezerez]

I suppose even if I didn't fix them, they would only be just as bad not worse than now.
I have the instructions from another place  on how to strip the units down and re-grease, but please does anyone know what to look for on the resistor bit ( if thats what the bit with coiled wire rather like a very old scalextric hand throttle is called) ?

If it all comes to naught and they need changing, is there anyone cheaper than Ford dealer for these bits?

[Mirez]

There's nothing as such to look for. The part that causes the grief is a "sliding potentiometer" the 'lug' that comes out the top has a contact patch on the base of it - this slides up and down a resistor ladder and therefore measures different resistances depending on where it is on the ladder.

One of two things happen, either the contact patch wears out (in which case there is nothing you can do) or the cheap-ass metal that's used to enclose the thing expands slightly and therefore the contact patch isn't tight on the ladder so the reading isn't clear. If its the latter then you normally apply a little grease and bend the metal case down slightly.

Replacements are cheap on eBay though, just search the part number Chris gave you (minus the trail A) and you should find a fair few - the part is a generic one used on multiple VAG group cars but be wary of second hand ones as they normally have the same issues

[Tezerez]

Thanks once again.
Really appreciate your help.
Am skint so will try to repair.