colen35 Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 I recently purchased a 2012 Fusion SEL and found that the passenger side headlight assembly had been replaced. It is out of adjustment and the aim adjusting screw odes not work. My question: is the aim adjusting screw integrated into the headlight assembly and will I have to replace the entire assembly in order to be able to adjust it? Colen Thomas Florida 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noahfreak Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 I have the exact same problem on my passenger light. Both my headlights were adjusted as if they had the high beams on during the procedure, so both were pointing about 10 feet in front of the car with the low beams on. Apparently it's a common problem with these even when they're new. Someone at the plant doesn't know to put the low beams on while adjusting, and this passenger adjusting screw fails often for some reason. Anyway, I was able to adjust the passenger one up only a couple inches before you could hear the screw hopping over the threads and it would articulate no further. I've temporarily fixed the problem by adjusting just the driver side light, but I would like to fix it right without spending $200 if possible. Anyone got an answer on this one? I might try the repair myself and make a video if successful. If someone else has done this though, any input would be nice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noahfreak Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 Okay, I just checked mine out and it was a pretty easy fix. Sorry, didn't get a chance to do a video. You need to take the bumper cover off to get at the headlight assembly though. The previous owner's mechanic must have changed a bulb on the passenger side of mine as well, because they had knocked the headlight off of its adjustment perch. It's a ball and socket type deal, so if you adjust the screw all the way in and pull down and back on the headlight (the piece inside that holds the bulb, not the main outer assembly) you can pop it back into its socket. This took me about a half hour, 45 minutes total, most of which was getting the bumper off and back on. Upon seeing what was wrong, I doubt this happened at the factory. Someone just goofed when they put a new bulb in and tried to hide it on mine by adjusting the other light to match. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colen35 Posted June 30, 2014 Author Share Posted June 30, 2014 The adjusting screw on mine does not move the headlight at all. It is an aftermarket unit which was installed after repairs to front end damage. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noahfreak Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 The adjusting screw on mine does not move the headlight at all. It is an aftermarket unit which was installed after repairs to front end damage. I wouldn't be surprised at all if it's still the same issue because it disconnects completely from the adjuster when the bulb is pushed into the assembly. Mine just happened to be resting on the adjuster, so it would move some when I cranked it. If you pull the bumper and headlight and pull the back cover off the assembly, you'll notice the problem right away. The piece inside with the actual headlight socket will be flopping around because it's disconnected from the adjuster. If something is fractured, I'm sure even the aftermarket manufacturer has a warranty. If you're not particularly handy, just take it back to the guy who did the collision repairs. It's his fault because he did the work and chose the parts, unless of course you've monkeyed with the headlights since he did. He's done this before so it should take him less than a half hour. Good luck! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mantear Posted March 24, 2020 Share Posted March 24, 2020 Several years late on this thread but...Thanks! Y’all just saved me a good chunk of money getting my car through inspection just after losing my job to Coronavirus. Mechanic told me it’d be 400+ to put a new headlight assembly in to fix my passenger headlight which was pointed down and wouldn’t adjust. I took the bumper off, removed the headlight assembly and was able to see the disconnected ball and socket joint. Was able to grab hold of the light through back cover and pull back hard enough to pop it back in place. I bought the car about a year ago from my grandma who just passed on New Year’s Eve. She had bought the car shortly after my granddad had passed. He worked on cars, tractors, anything with an engine, he could fix it. Apparently she had the same problem previously. I know because I found a folded piece of cardboard in the headlight somebody else had shoved in there that had been used to “fix” it and get it through inspection (in fairness she never drove at night so it didn’t matter too much). It must’ve come dislodged when I replaced the bulb a few weeks back. Anywho, I saved some money, fixed the car properly, and made my grandparents proud. Thanks again. May God bless you all in these uncertain times. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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