Headlights making a grinding noise

[eyelight]

Just posting this in case anyone else has noticed the same thing in their Berlingo.
There's a noise sort of like a coffee grinder, that comes from my headlights when switched on. Only on dipped headlights, not sidelights or full beam.

I only noticed this a few months back when I switched off the engine before the lights.
Still doing it, and as far as I know it's not causing any problems, but it is weird.
Anyone else have this?

[3rensho]

Wow, that does sound strange. The only thing I could think of off-hand would be a relay chattering.

[Trevor]

Just posting this in case anyone else has noticed the same thing in their Berlingo.
There's a noise sort of like a coffee grinder, that comes from my headlights when switched on. Only on dipped headlights, not sidelights or full beam.

I only noticed this a few months back when I switched off the engine before the lights.
Still doing it, and as far as I know it's not causing any problems, but it is weird.
Anyone else have this?

Yes my 2003 Mk2 did exactly the same, nothing else ever happened, stopped working or broke so I never bothered with it.

[j90xxx]

Sounds like the headlight adjusting motors.
But why they should alter themselves or reset everytime you switch them on is a strange one.
Try parking in front of the house or a wall at night and switch the lights on before the ignition. Do the light beams move?

[BerlingoHDI]

It is the headlight adjusting motors as j90 says, mine does it when it is set to position zero but I normally have it on position one then it stops

[tucker]

The car has those 'guide me home' headlights, so they alter slightly with the steering.

I had an noise from mine and put it down to the guide me home adjusters if that's how they work?

[adam3rdcanvey]

Just posting this in case anyone else has noticed the same thing in their Berlingo.
There's a noise sort of like a coffee grinder, that comes from my headlights when switched on. Only on dipped headlights, not sidelights or full beam.

I only noticed this a few months back when I switched off the engine before the lights.
Still doing it, and as far as I know it's not causing any problems, but it is weird.

Anyone else have this?

Hi, this is certainly the headlight adjuster motors. Mine did this, on mark 2 models the motor is an integral part of the headlight unit and cannot be replaced seperately.

You maybe able to stop the motor trying to over adjust using the wheel setting switch by steering wheel.
Or by using the allen bolt (white plastic) on the top of the headlight unit.
You will need to ensure your dipped headlights are not to high or low though.

Mine still did it after a year, then the headlight got smashed, so had to replace anyway!!

Good luck!

[eyelight]

Just posting this in case anyone else has noticed the same thing in their Berlingo.
There's a noise sort of like a coffee grinder, that comes from my headlights when switched on. Only on dipped headlights, not sidelights or full beam.

I only noticed this a few months back when I switched off the engine before the lights.
Still doing it, and as far as I know it's not causing any problems, but it is weird.

Anyone else have this?

Hi, this is certainly the headlight adjuster motors. Mine did this, on mark 2 models the motor is an integral part of the headlight unit and cannot be replaced seperately.

You maybe able to stop the motor trying to over adjust using the wheel setting switch by steering wheel.
Or by using the allen bolt (white plastic) on the top of the headlight unit.
You will need to ensure your dipped headlights are not to high or low though.

Mine still did it after a year, then the headlight got smashed, so had to replace anyway!!

Good luck!

Thanks to all for the info.
I'll have to play around with the adjuster and see what happens. I've never moed it from 0 in the three years we've had the car.

Funny how it only makes the noise when the lights are dipped.

[brodfather11]

Just posting this in case anyone else has noticed the same thing in their Berlingo.
There's a noise sort of like a coffee grinder, that comes from my headlights when switched on. Only on dipped headlights, not sidelights or full beam.

I only noticed this a few months back when I switched off the engine before the lights.
Still doing it, and as far as I know it's not causing any problems, but it is weird.

Anyone else have this?

Hi, this is certainly the headlight adjuster motors. Mine did this, on mark 2 models the motor is an integral part of the headlight unit and cannot be replaced seperately.

You maybe able to stop the motor trying to over adjust using the wheel setting switch by steering wheel.
Or by using the allen bolt (white plastic) on the top of the headlight unit.
You will need to ensure your dipped headlights are not to high or low though.

Mine still did it after a year, then the headlight got smashed, so had to replace anyway!!

Good luck!

Thanks to all for the info.
I'll have to play around with the adjuster and see what happens. I've never moed it from 0 in the three years we've had the car.

Funny how it only makes the noise when the lights are dipped.

They can only move when lights are dipped. not on full beam.

[Stuart777]

Hi, I have just got a berlingo MK1 2001...The wires to the head light motors had been disconected a long time ago...I cleaned the conectors and the motors work...How do I adjust with an allen key the white plastic adjuster on top of the headlight unit...how many turns left/right...can you do damage if you turn the adjuster too many times either way...Also the silver reflective coating has rusted away inside the headlights...I am assuming these are sealed units or is there a way to replace or re silver the inside without replacing the entire unit? Any help with this would be appretiated...Thank you