Check your Suspension Level Sensors....

[RedRobin]

.
It's a good idea to occasionally check your Suspension Level Sensors.

On the Mk5 Golf the plastic fixing bracket is prone to crack and break. As a consequence, not only will your headlights no longer self-level accurately but your ESP is likely to kick in inappropriately.

A sensor costs ~£100 to replace and you can't replace only the fixing bracket. Sorry I don't have a photo.

My beloved car's underbelly is carefully inspected everytime she's popped up in the air on a ramp/lift. On this occasion it was JKM who spotted the break  

[Andy]

this will be only for xenons lights

[RedRobin]

^^^^
Thanks for that info, Andy 

But isn't it also important regarding ESP?

[vRSAlex]

Just for the headlights.  Only cars with xenons have them.

Mike's rear link was almost stuck solid.  Removed and greased and all fine now.

[RedRobin]

Just for the headlights.  Only cars with xenons have them.

Mike's rear link was almost stuck solid.  Removed and greased and all fine now.

....Hmm, are you sure about that, Alex? Jim @ JKM mentioned ESP being potentially effected.

And what do you mean about Mike's rear link being stuck solid, please? Why a Rear Suspension Level Sensor if it's only for Xenons as you say? 

[alackofspeed]

Won't affect ESP as front and rear level sensors are only needed for self levelling headlights.

Why two? When the car is static (or very near) the headlight levelling system checks what the static ride position is front and rear and adjust the beam angle to compensate. If there was only a front sensor, it would not be possible to determine the longitudinal angle of the car.

[vRSAlex]

On the mk5 platform there are two sensors, one on the nsf wishbone and one on the nsr lower rear toe arm.  Mk6 has three, one on each front wishbone and the same rear one.

They are only there to determine the levels for the xenon headlights.  Cars that don't have xenons don't have the sensors.

When I say link, its the link from the suspension arm to the sensors arm.

[RedRobin]

^^^^
Thanks, guys  - I learn something new every day.

[itismebigd]

Every day is a school day Robin lmao

[Bernhard30]

Couple of years back a dealer salesman told me that Xenons autoadjust when you accelerate and brake.

I've never actually believed that, but suppose he might have been talking marginal amounts, or it could have been cr4p.

Never noticed it 'on the run' myself though.

[AJG09]

Really sorry to revive this but what way should the sensor be pointing?

If your stood behind the car looking at the rear bumper, should the sensors face the drivers side like this >

Or should they face the passenger side like this <

Hope this makes sense

[john87]

Couple of years back a dealer salesman told me that Xenons autoadjust when you accelerate and brake.

I've never actually believed that, but suppose he might have been talking marginal amounts, or it could have been cr4p.

Never noticed it 'on the run' myself though.

He wasn't bullsh*tting you, I've noticed it happening in my R32 when pulling away from a standstill 'quickly' and under heavy braking