Headlights Low Beams Adjustment controls - screws, keys, etc.??

[Deus]

Dear All!
I am a new owner of Infiniti Ex35 2008 AWD Journey.
After some in-depth research through various manuals as well as the Internet, I found NO clue at all regarding the way the EX35's Headlights Adjustment works I saw the question asked numerous times in the forum as well, alas - to no avail.
As simple as I thought this should be, it actually turns out to be an awkward quest. This has never happened to me before with any of my previous cars - it is supposed to be simple stuff, but either I cannot get it, or EX35 is playing tricks on me No, seriously! I cannot find any screw(s) to turn outside in order to adjust the beam(s) vertically, and/or any buttons to press or switch inside, and worse yet - there is nothing useful written about the matter in the Owner's manual.
My specific EX version is the one still equipped with normal Halogen bulbs (planning to replace those with a HID kit) and there is NO Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS) available (at least no button, no key whatsoever).
Could anyone explain (possibly with pictures or vids) how I am supposed to adjust Vertically & Horizontally EX35's Headlights? Is there a little motor inside or outside the Headlights I can control somehow or

[NJGuy]

Welcome to the forum.

Since you're new here, I recommend that you check out the "Announcements" threads at the top of the EX35/EX37/QX50 forum. The factory service manuals are available in the following announcements thread: ex35-owner-service-manuals-tsb-s-t503618.html

The headlight adjustment procedure is on page 347 of the pdf file called "EXL" in the 2008 factory service manual directory. It looks like you can only adjust the headlight beams vertically, not horizontally. When I think about it, I don't think I've ever had a car that had a horizontal adjustment.

[DHackRSX]

Hi Deus,

I've adjust mine so that the cutoff was even vertically right to left. In other words: The cutoff steps are perfectly parallel with each other, or, the height on both of the "upper steps of the cutoff" were aligned.

My ex has afs so I wasn't worried about L/R adjustment. It's pretty spot on when I'm driving straight. If it wasn't the "step" part of the cutoff would drive me crazy as they'll get closer or further away from each other (right to left) if they are not adjusted perfectly centered/forward.

If you don't get what you need from the manual that NJGuy has pointed out let me know and I can take a picture of the back of a set halogens. I can also explore the horizontal adjustment on a set of halogens if you need me to although jakenbake would be the authority on this.

Just a question and a statement: Why are you interested in adjusting the cutoff of your headlights? I'm not getting into your shat, I don't know how much you know about regulations on vertical headlight adjustment but the standard for dot vertical adjustment is a 2.1" - 2.5" drop from the center of the lens over 25' distance. Here's a tutorial I offered up on clubrsx (I have an acura rsx also) on how to aim projector headlights. This is not assuming you don't know how, it's just a reference if you would like to see it. http://forums.clubrsx.com/showthread.php?t=464202

Good luck and looking forward to before and after pics.

D

[Deus]

Hello NJGuy & DHackRSX,

First of all - thank you for the warm welcome!
After checking the tech service manual (thanks, NJGuy!) - as I see it up to this point - as far as my specific version of EX is concerned, it is equipped solely with vertical mechanical adjustment screw - one per each headlight ( i.e. via screwdriver from outside ). There is neither possibility to "correct" any horizontal unalignment, nor any "switch" to position the beams higher or lower from inside. As I mentioned before - the car lacks factory AFS system so that leaves me with the only outside manual screw option to tune the beams SOLELY vertically.
The reasons behind all this quest is as follows:
First, all my previous cars had both vertical & horizontal separate screws to "tune" headlight beams individually - 2 screws on each L & R headl - that is for the mechanical manual control of the beams from the headlights themselves;
Second, there used to be 1 little motor on each headlight, connected with a switch, situated next to the steering wheel (i.e. next to switch for turning off the sonar system). This switch usually has 4 or 5 positions to control the motors behind the beams, allowing you to lower or "aim" higher your headlights from the INSIDE - that is if there is no AFS of course. That way when the car is loaded with people and luggage, you can lower your beams to avoid blinding the eyes of the drivers in your opposite direction. Certainly that is all processed automatically by the AFS with the weights and counter weights, etc. ( if so equipped ). However, since my version lacks AFS, the only option I am left wth is to go outside every time and manually lower the beams with the screw behind the beams - as per the tech service manual Either that or I will blind everyone when the car is loaded. If you load stuff in the back, your front chasis moves up (including your headlights). Since there is no system to keep the lights down, you start aiming for the stars... Which in turn is kinda annoying since this is... Infiniti?!
P.S/ Thank you for the comprehensive tutorial, DHackRSX, it's a beautiful guide, congrats! Unfortunately, I already know the theory and where the lights should be aiming at. The problem is how to control & aim the very beams...

[Deus]

P.P.S/ The little motors on the headlights I mentiined above & available in my past cars controlled the very reflectors (hence the beams) via an elecric switch next to the steering wheel.

[jakenbake]

Glad you found the vertical adjustment screw. As for the horizontal, I am not sure why they didn't add one but I went through the service manual and there was no mention of one. Now the leveling switch you mention doesn't seem necessary... nor is it necessary to manually adjust the headlights each time you load the car down. If it was necessary then the USDOT would require the switch on all cars. I personally I hate when cars are equipped with that switch because everyone I have ever known to have that switch in their car just leaves it at the highest position and blinds everyone in traffic whether they have a loaded down car or not.