100% Free

No Scanner Needed

Carly logo

nicomayer32

VW Caddy Auto-Leveling Headlight Issues & Fix Guide

Hey everyone, my 2018 VW Caddy (124880km, gasoline) is giving me headaches with its lighting system. The low beam keeps pointing either too high or too low, plus theres a warning light on the dash and an error code stored. Pretty sure its the auto-leveling system acting up. Had some sketchy experiences with mechanics lately, so Im wondering if anyone here has dealt with similar headlight beam adjustment issues? Looking specifically for feedback on reliable fixes and what kind of costs I should expect. Any insights on whether this usually points to electrical connectors or the control module would be super helpful.

4 comment(s)

sophiavogel44

Had the exact same headlight malfunction on my 2015 VW Golf TSI. The beam adjustment system started acting erratically, showing similar symptoms with inconsistent light levels and dashboard warnings. The range control system needed attention, turned out the headlight servomotor had failed. The issue was more complex than just loose connections. The mechanic found that the control module was still functioning, but the servomotor itself had deteriorated. This is actually a safety-critical repair since improper beam adjustment can blind oncoming traffic or provide insufficient road illumination. The lighting system repair required: Diagnostic scan to confirm servomotor failure, Removal of headlight assembly, Replacement of the defective servomotor, Recalibration of the beam adjustment system The whole repair took about 3 hours at the shop. While this is a serious issue that needs addressing, its not uncommon for vehicles in this age range. The new servomotor has worked flawlessly for 2 years now with no lighting system warnings or errors. Make sure to get a proper diagnostic scan first, sometimes what seems like a servomotor issue could be related to the headlight control module or wiring harness.

nicomayer32 (Author)

Thanks for sharing that experience. My Caddy actually had similar symptoms last winter. The light intensity was all over the place and the auto-leveling wasnt working properly. After getting tired of the constant headlight beam adjustment issues, I finally took it to a shop. Really helpful to hear that your repair has held up well for 2 years. Would you mind sharing what the total cost was for your fix? Also curious if youve had any other electrical gremlins pop up since then with the headlight switch or other systems?

sophiavogel44

After taking it to my trusted mechanic, the headlight range control fault was completely resolved. The final bill came to 1040€, which covered replacing the defective servomotor in the headlight assembly along with the required diagnostic work and recalibration of the adaptive headlights system. Since the repair, the beam adjustment has worked perfectly, no more erratic light levels or warning messages. The investment was worth it for both safety and peace of mind. The lighting system has remained trouble-free, with no electrical issues affecting the headlight control module or any other components. I understand the initial hesitation about repair costs, but proper functionality of the auto-leveling system is crucial for safe night driving. The fix addressed not just the immediate problem but helped prevent potential issues with other connected lighting components.

nicomayer32 (Author)

Just got back from the mechanic and wanted to close the loop here. The total came to 890€ for my Caddy repair. Turned out the control module was fine, but the electrical connectors had corroded and the servomotor needed replacement. The mechanic showed me the old parts, pretty clear why the auto-leveling was acting up. They did a full system diagnostic, replaced the faulty components, and recalibrated everything. The lighting system is working perfectly now, with consistent light intensity and proper beam adjustment. The whole job took about 2.5 hours. Really glad I didnt wait any longer to get it fixed. No more dashboard warnings and the headlights stay exactly where they should. Thanks everyone for the advice, definitely helped me understand what I was dealing with.

Join the discussion now: