Sedan headlight leveling issue solution.

PauleyDucati · Oct 22, 2019

Hello all, I haven't posted on the forums much but I found a solution to a problem I was having when I first bought my 2012 4.6 liter sedan a year ago. I figured I would share it with everyone since I couldn't find the solution on the forums or anywhere else in this iteration of our universe.

My headlights were seemingly pointed directly at the ground and only lit up maybe 40 feet in front of the car. I was excited to have awesome HID/projector lenses for the first time on any of my cars yet they weren't functioning properly so I was a bit gutted. I scoured the internet and forums, I called and visited all of the dealers around me and the only answers I found were to adjust the headlight height via the adjustment screws (which on my Genesis unfortunately were already stripped), to have the dealer tear the front end apart and see if they could manually adjust the height using the gearing in the housing....or buy new headlight assemblies...no thanks. The car only had 22,000 miles on it when I found it and it is in absolutely pristine condition. The warranty ran out a month after I bought it too hahaha.

The automatic leveling of the lights still did their dance upon initial start up so I knew the module was still working as it should and it likely was not an electrical issue. Finally while changing my oil I discovered this little tiny strut/actuator hanging down from the drivers side front wheel well. It was the ride height level sensor. The lower end of the level sensor strut had come off of the control arm and the module was not able to properly detect the cars weight/ride height to adjust the headlights accordingly.

So... for anyone with the same problem as me, here's the FIRST and simplest item to check if you have auto leveling headlights! Forgive me if this solution has already been posted, I couldn't find anything on it for the life of me. If you need photos of where the sensor is let me know and I will take them for you.

G-541114 · Dec 11, 2020

Thank you so much for your response. I believe that the actuator arm is on the driver's side once I take off the front left wheel. I have seen that off before and reconnected it maybe my issue is that it fell off again. If you have photo's that would be great.

decolamber · Dec 5, 2021

Just looked at an ‘07 9-3 aero. The driver’s side back window doesnt roll up all the way(about an inch from the top) and the back passenger side window seemed iffy. The dash said headlight leveling malfunction as well. The windshield had just cracked from a storm last night, but the seller said he’d factor that into the price or replace it before i buy. are these issues a dealbreaker? how snaptube vidmate much would repairs like this run? listed at $4700

PauleyDucati · Dec 5, 2021

decolamber said:
Just looked at an ‘07 9-3 aero. The driver’s side back window doesnt roll up all the way(about an inch from the top) and the back passenger side window seemed iffy. The dash said headlight leveling malfunction as well. The windshield had just cracked from a storm last night, but the seller said he’d factor that into the price or replace it before i buy. are these issues a dealbreaker? how snaptube vidmate much would repairs like this run? listed at $4700

I haven't had much mechanical experience working on Saabs but the 9-3 is a cool car. I assume it probably has a leveling strut attached to the control arm somewhere as the Genesis does if it levels the headlights based on the weight inside the car. There really aren't too many other ways for a car to detect ride height... unless the control module is failing. The rear window may have an issue with the regulator or it could has jumped off track. Window regulators can be simple but often times they are a pain in the arse to replace. A windshield should be covered under the current owners insurance if they pay their deductible, or under yours if you make a claim after you buy it. My deductible is only $100 so it's much more cost effective for me to go through insurance. Otherwise you would be looking at $500 plus for a new windshield in most cases.