Headlight Wobbling About! Mot Failure.

[Lilge]

Hi all.

My beloved RAV 4 2.0 GX petrol (2002 model) failed its' MOT on saturday. The nearside headlight could not be checked on the headlight beam check because the nearside light is loose.

When I alter the headlight level from within the vehicle using the wheel on the dash, the right headlight goes up and down accordingly, the left one doesn't. I can hold on to the electrical connectors and rubber boot going to the bulb, and the whole thing moves freely.

Is it possible to access the inside of the headlight? Is this fault repairable?

Many thanks in advance for any advice,

Liam

[bothwell_buyer]

There is a small motor which latches onto the headlight and its that which lowers or raises the lamp. If this latch breaks or comes of then the headlamp will literally bounce up and down in a horizontal swivel motion. Its probably shining just in front of the bumper.

It might be that the lamp unit just needs clipped back onto the motor spindle - or it might be broken. Its a fiddly job I found. Easiest to take the headlamp unit out and use the kitchen table (as a work bench)!

[Lilge]

Thanks for quick reply 'bothwell_buyer'.

Looks like it will have to be a weekend job then! I have read that I have to take grille/bumper/trim off the front to take headlamp out :-(

Thanks again,

Liam

[Parts-King]

If it's had any form of minor bump (even though you might not know about it) then one of the lugs might have broken off the lamp causing it to flap in the breeze, take a look at the mountings on the front panel, they are only made of plastic

Kingo

[Lilge]

Thanks 'Parts-King'

The unit itself is secure, it's just the inner parts i.e. bulb/housing/chrome reflector inside. When the level wheel is altered, I can hear the motor working, and the light does actually raise and lower a little bit, so the connecting rod (or whatever it is) inside the headlight, must be still catching slightly but not connected solidly. Hope that makes sense.

I will go on Toyota website and download manual if I can find it. I saw a thread somewhere on the forum giving a link to it. I think it's around €3.00 for an hour's access.

Cheers

Liam

[Parts-King]

The Tech Doc site is here

http://www.toyota-tech.eu/

I dont think you will find too much relating to the workings of the headlamp to be honest. best to get the lamp off I think and see what is happening

Kingo

[Lilge]

Okay, wish me luck. Just make sure I have a tub for all the screws and a supply of cups of tea from the missus.

I will hopefully get back to you saturday tea-time with a result!

Thanks,

Liam

[bothwell_buyer]

Have fun. While you're in there, give a splash of anti-rust paint to anything showing signs of rust and don't set the airbags off !!

[Lilge]

'GULP'....airbags....another problem thrown into the equation, cheers.

In preparation for my saturday dismantling of the front end, how do I get the strip off that is between the bumper and the grille? I can see the plastic bullet screws along the bottom of it, but it is attached at the sides and I can't see how it is fixed? I've attached a library picture of a 2002 VVTi and indicated with an arrow, where I am struggling to remove the part.

Thanks.

[anchorman]

It just pulls off. Have a look at the first 5 sections in this;

http://www.toyota-tech.eu/legacy/Toy/aimuploads/%7B59709655-D84F-4CA1-B992-41FB0809E885%7D/FrontGuardPZ415X095000RAV42000.pdf

[Lilge]

Many thanks Anchorman. Just hope headlamp repairable! Or I'll be driving round the scrapyards of the north-west all weekend!!

[bothwell_buyer]

the airbag in my case was a joke - disconnected the Battery and stood in a bucket of cold water for 3 hours then dismantled the steering wheel with its bag only to find the airbag on a 1994 model was a mechanical triggered design set off by the steering column piercing the drivers spine. Needless to say but i removed said airbag contraption and have stored in my garage to be connected to some sort of theft device having just had my aluminium ladders nicked.

[Lilge]

Well, the headlight is in, but the bodywork is looking a little worse for wear!

I prised the front trim off, as described by Toyota, but when it has been reassembled, it looks really poor :-(

The panels have pulled out around the black plastic pegs as I've pulled the panel off. I can only suggest that I take it off again, flatten the panels, the put it back on, hoping they meet closer together.

Car getting MOT retest tomorrow.

See attached picture.

Thanks for all the advice lads!

Liam

[anchorman]

Its not in properly. If you fiddle you will get it back perfectly.

[Davrav]

Its not in properly. If you fiddle you will get it back perfectly.

Said the actress to the Bishop..........................