Author Topic: Car People: My headlights suck
deadcactus 
Posts: 38,266
Registered: Dec 27, '01
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 37,437
User ID: 577,555
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
As in unsafe suck. They illuminate maybe 12 feet in front of my car and I drive on unlit interstates frequently. They're going to get me killed. Problem is I don't know where the problem lies. What's the troubleshooting process for headlights? I don't even know if this question makes sense.

 

-----signature-----
'member dat?
True dat.
Link to this post
Sith_Mauler 
Posts: 24,642
Registered: Dec 21, '02
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 24,438
User ID: 750,977
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
is it a lack of brightness or do they point at the ground?

 

-----signature-----
Well I ain't first class
But I ain't white trash
I'm wild and a little crazy too
I have seen a lot of things in my life time.
That is why I walk the line I walk.
Link to this post
-Prismatic- 
Title: Keeper of the Ratings
Reg Thread Offendr

Posts: 160,294
Registered: Nov 18, '02
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 159,796
User ID: 739,411
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
How old is the car?

Are the lenses foggy?

When was the last time you changed the bulbs?

Is your alternator up to par?

 

-----signature-----
_____.........--------===*
The More You Know.
Take what you want from this life. It's yours.
Weight Loss Since Jan 1, 2011: Start: 263.1lbs - Current: 185.5 lbs
Lost to Date: 77.6 Lbs. http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/uXH
Link to this post
Ah-Schoo 
Title: Fuzzy Caterpillar of Friendliness
Posts: 71,317
Registered: Aug 11, '00
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 68,974
User ID: 39,247
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
-Prismatic- posted:
How old is the car?

Are the lenses foggy?

When was the last time you changed the bulbs?

Is your alternator up to par?
I'm here too late. Those are the three that crossed my mind.

 

-----signature-----
.
Opinion = fact. Anecdote = proof. Political label more important than either of those.
Welcome to ACF, where debate goes to die.
.
"fascist totalitarian secular progressive Zionist intellectually challenged Christian puppets." - Aerlinthina
Link to this post
jeune 
Posts: 5,335
Registered: May 29, '05
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 5,311
User ID: 1,052,881
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
I had the same problem with an older truck... I was at a friend of the family and was talking about it... apparently my lights overtime had pointed towards the ground.

He had me drive a few feet from a wall and there is 2 little screw somewhere by the light that he adjusted until it was better (1 screw does horizontal other vertical). Turned from night to day... just be careful you dont point them too high or you might blind people.

 

-----signature-----
"Whenever the white man treats the Indian as they treat each other then we shall have no more wars. We shall be all alike — brothers of one father and mother, with one sky above us and one country around us and one government for all."
Link to this post
Sith_Mauler 
Posts: 24,642
Registered: Dec 21, '02
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 24,438
User ID: 750,977
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
if you got plastic headlights and a electric drill you can go to autozone and get a 3m kit for like $20.

do not get the hand polish kits, unless you got a lot of time on your hands(like hours), suck.


 

-----signature-----
Well I ain't first class
But I ain't white trash
I'm wild and a little crazy too
I have seen a lot of things in my life time.
That is why I walk the line I walk.
Link to this post
deadcactus 
Posts: 38,266
Registered: Dec 27, '01
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 37,437
User ID: 577,555
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
Car is 2001, I got it in 2004. Replaced the bulbs sometime since then but don't remember when.

Lenses don't look fogged. I get a u shaped dispersion of light on both sides with the light hitting the ground maybe 6 feet away from the car and disappearing 9 feet away with a small tail on both sides.

Had a low speed front-end collision and noticed the light problem sometime after that. Not sure if there is a cause and effect relationship or if I just happened to notice it then. I know the part that holds the light into the assembly is broken on one side but both lights suck.

Alternator was repaired pretty recently and I don't have any other electrical problems, so I think it's fine.

I was thinking I'd order some new high quality bulbs, clean the assemblies, and then re-assess but I'm trying to figure out if I should just skip to a new assembly to save some time and effort...

 

-----signature-----
'member dat?
True dat.
Link to this post
FunTak 
Posts: 19,779
Registered: Jan 29, '03
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 19,258
User ID: 764,614
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
You can get brighter bulbs but I would recommend adjusting them. Google it with your car model, I'm sure there are a mess of people that've had to adjust them.

 

-----signature-----
(none)
Link to this post
aon_mixed 
Title:
Pirate Kitty

Posts: 97,492
Registered: Aug 19, '02
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 96,153
User ID: 707,392
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
try re-aiming them

 

-----signature-----
may contain partial nudity
Link to this post
rabbitslayer 
Posts: 2,547
Registered: Aug 26, '01
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 2,537
User ID: 347,811
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
deadcactus posted:
Car is 2001, I got it in 2004. Replaced the bulbs sometime since then but don't remember when.

Lenses don't look fogged. I get a u shaped dispersion of light on both sides with the light hitting the ground maybe 6 feet away from the car and disappearing 9 feet away with a small tail on both sides.

Had a low speed front-end collision and noticed the light problem sometime after that. Not sure if there is a cause and effect relationship or if I just happened to notice it then. I know the part that holds the light into the assembly is broken on one side but both lights suck.

Alternator was repaired pretty recently and I don't have any other electrical problems, so I think it's fine.

I was thinking I'd order some new high quality bulbs, clean the assemblies, and then re-assess but I'm trying to figure out if I should just skip to a new assembly to save some time and effort...
There's your problem... and here's your sign!!!

 

-----signature-----
(none)
Link to this post
-Foxy- 
Title: Moderator
Ãœber Brat

Posts: 110,094
Registered: May 29, '02
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 107,357
User ID: 683,944
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
Ah-Schoo posted:
-Prismatic- posted:
How old is the car?

Are the lenses foggy?

When was the last time you changed the bulbs?

Is your alternator up to par?
I'm here too late. Those are the three that crossed my mind.





pppsstt
there are 4 questions ;p

 

-----signature-----
Long suffering vassal to Xarkath, U.P. - Forever and ever
Link to this post
Jezza_Belle 
Title: =^.^=
Posts: 62,779
Registered: Feb 24, '01
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 61,759
User ID: 70,100
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
seriously, you didn't think to re-aim them already?

While you're at it, check your blinker fluid and your muffler bearings.

 

-----signature-----
( - Y - ) These ones are not real, just FYI.
Follow my progress... http://tweetlbug.deviantart.com/
Link to this post
jeune 
Posts: 5,335
Registered: May 29, '05
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 5,311
User ID: 1,052,881
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
I really had no idea that headlights could be adjusted before I needed it... I seriously had went out and bought expensive bulbs trying to fix the problem... did everything.

It was me crying about almost dying from driving that someone fixed it in like 10 minutes... seems kind of stupid now but I really had no idea.

 

-----signature-----
"Whenever the white man treats the Indian as they treat each other then we shall have no more wars. We shall be all alike — brothers of one father and mother, with one sky above us and one country around us and one government for all."
Link to this post
Sgian_Dubh 
Posts: 10,339
Registered: Apr 7, '03
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 10,142
User ID: 788,270
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
Jezza_Belle posted:
seriously, you didn't think to re-aim them already?

While you're at it, check your blinker fluid and your muffler bearings.



personal attack

 

-----signature-----
"You'll rue the day you crossed me Trebek!"
Link to this post
Mangler_SC 
Title: Bellybutton Lint Collector
Posts: 62,003
Registered: Dec 2, '03
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 61,052
User ID: 863,702
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck

I know this is expected so... Buy a minivan.

 

-----signature-----
.
Mangler had an accident on the way home from the liquor store. He was run off the road and crashed into a woman's clinic. It was one giant Pabst smear.
-Bou_Te
.
Soylent CLiKK -- It's PEEEEEOPLEEE cool
Link to this post
Jezza_Belle 
Title: =^.^=
Posts: 62,779
Registered: Feb 24, '01
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 61,759
User ID: 70,100
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
jeune posted:
I really had no idea that headlights could be adjusted before I needed it... I seriously had went out and bought expensive bulbs trying to fix the problem... did everything.

It was me crying about almost dying from driving that someone fixed it in like 10 minutes... seems kind of stupid now but I really had no idea.


This is why basic auto mechanics should be required to get a license. Even the richest of richy rich people sometimes are stuck and have to do things for themselves on their vehicles.

Everyone should know how to add fluids, check tire pressure, aim headlights, change a wiper blade, start a flooded car etc. preferably know how to jack up a car and change a tire too... but it would probably be asking too much.

 

-----signature-----
( - Y - ) These ones are not real, just FYI.
Follow my progress... http://tweetlbug.deviantart.com/
Link to this post
jeune 
Posts: 5,335
Registered: May 29, '05
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 5,311
User ID: 1,052,881
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
Jezza_Belle posted:
jeune posted:
I really had no idea that headlights could be adjusted before I needed it... I seriously had went out and bought expensive bulbs trying to fix the problem... did everything.

It was me crying about almost dying from driving that someone fixed it in like 10 minutes... seems kind of stupid now but I really had no idea.


This is why basic auto mechanics should be required to get a license. Even the richest of richy rich people sometimes are stuck and have to do things for themselves on their vehicles.

Everyone should know how to add fluids, check tire pressure, aim headlights, change a wiper blade, start a flooded car etc. preferably know how to jack up a car and change a tire too... but it would probably be asking too much.


Is that even basic maintenance? I really assumed they pointed straight and that was the end to it... I am sure my truck was messed up from something too. Just seems a little too harsh for something that seems to rarely/ever to happen.

I have learned how to do everything you listed by myself... and I would not let my kid drive around if they could not change a tire.

 

-----signature-----
"Whenever the white man treats the Indian as they treat each other then we shall have no more wars. We shall be all alike — brothers of one father and mother, with one sky above us and one country around us and one government for all."
Link to this post
Jezza_Belle 
Title: =^.^=
Posts: 62,779
Registered: Feb 24, '01
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 61,759
User ID: 70,100
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
jeune posted:
Jezza_Belle posted:
jeune posted:
I really had no idea that headlights could be adjusted before I needed it... I seriously had went out and bought expensive bulbs trying to fix the problem... did everything.

It was me crying about almost dying from driving that someone fixed it in like 10 minutes... seems kind of stupid now but I really had no idea.


This is why basic auto mechanics should be required to get a license. Even the richest of richy rich people sometimes are stuck and have to do things for themselves on their vehicles.

Everyone should know how to add fluids, check tire pressure, aim headlights, change a wiper blade, start a flooded car etc. preferably know how to jack up a car and change a tire too... but it would probably be asking too much.


Is that even basic maintenance? I really assumed they pointed straight and that was the end to it... I am sure my truck was messed up from something too. Just seems a little too harsh for something that seems to rarely/ever to happen.


rarely? every time I'm driving at night some asshole has his headlights aimed wrong and blinds me.

 

-----signature-----
( - Y - ) These ones are not real, just FYI.
Follow my progress... http://tweetlbug.deviantart.com/
Link to this post
-Abysmal- 
Posts: 21,891
Registered: Dec 20, '00
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 21,218
User ID: 59,638
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
Jezza_Belle posted:
jeune posted:
Jezza_Belle posted:
[quote=jeune]I really had no idea that headlights could be adjusted before I needed it... I seriously had went out and bought expensive bulbs trying to fix the problem... did everything.

It was me crying about almost dying from driving that someone fixed it in like 10 minutes... seems kind of stupid now but I really had no idea.


This is why basic auto mechanics should be required to get a license. Even the richest of richy rich people sometimes are stuck and have to do things for themselves on their vehicles.

Everyone should know how to add fluids, check tire pressure, aim headlights, change a wiper blade, start a flooded car etc. preferably know how to jack up a car and change a tire too... but it would probably be asking too much.


Is that even basic maintenance? I really assumed they pointed straight and that was the end to it... I am sure my truck was messed up from something too. Just seems a little too harsh for something that seems to rarely/ever to happen.


rarely? every time I'm driving at night some asshole has his headlights aimed wrong and blinds me.
[/quote]

if you are being blinded i highly doubt it is headlights not being aligned.

 

-----signature-----
Now i LIVESTRONG
GO PATRIOTS
Yankees SUCK!
devil I wish AC looked better, I miss it
sad I love you forever Jamie
Link to this post
Jezza_Belle 
Title: =^.^=
Posts: 62,779
Registered: Feb 24, '01
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 61,759
User ID: 70,100
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
-Abysmal- posted:
Jezza_Belle posted:
jeune posted:
[quote=Jezza_Belle][quote=jeune]I really had no idea that headlights could be adjusted before I needed it... I seriously had went out and bought expensive bulbs trying to fix the problem... did everything.

It was me crying about almost dying from driving that someone fixed it in like 10 minutes... seems kind of stupid now but I really had no idea.


This is why basic auto mechanics should be required to get a license. Even the richest of richy rich people sometimes are stuck and have to do things for themselves on their vehicles.

Everyone should know how to add fluids, check tire pressure, aim headlights, change a wiper blade, start a flooded car etc. preferably know how to jack up a car and change a tire too... but it would probably be asking too much.


Is that even basic maintenance? I really assumed they pointed straight and that was the end to it... I am sure my truck was messed up from something too. Just seems a little too harsh for something that seems to rarely/ever to happen.


rarely? every time I'm driving at night some asshole has his headlights aimed wrong and blinds me.
[/quote]

if you are being blinded i highly doubt it is headlights not being aligned.
[/quote]

It is the headlights not being aligned right, because so many idiots don't know how to do it.

http://www.automedia.com/Aiming_Headlights/ccr20010801ha/1

 

-----signature-----
( - Y - ) These ones are not real, just FYI.
Follow my progress... http://tweetlbug.deviantart.com/
Link to this post
Tipztoe 
Posts: 26,665
Registered: Mar 1, '04
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 23,788
User ID: 900,300
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
do you at least have a nice bumper?

 

-----signature-----
(none)
Link to this post
Reapist 
Title: Official ACF HIOFI Poster
Posts: 74,991
Registered: Dec 20, '01
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 74,235
User ID: 559,475
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
An alternator not being up to par will only be a problem until the battery is drained.

 

-----signature-----
pkhere: Jebus sometimes you make my arse tired.
Referring to illegal aliens as 'immigrants' is the same as referring to shoplifters as 'shoppers' - Dorvinion
I'd feel bad for Satriani but he got himself into it. - allmightybob_MLF
Link to this post
ferdinand.the.great 
Posts: 59,466
Registered: Feb 12, '03
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 58,112
User ID: 769,574
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
Reapist posted:
An alternator not being up to par will only be a problem until the battery is drained.
Well, it'll still be a problem after the battery is drained, to be fair.

dc, make sure your headlights are aimed correctly. It sounds like they aren't. And if they are, and you decide to buy new bulbs, please stay away from the Silverstar or PIAA crap. Anything with a tint is running significantly more watts than it should (think: putting a 100-watt bulb into a 60-watt lamp in your house). They have to run higher wattage to even come close to providing enough light, because they're blocking a portion of the light spectrum. And, even then, they provide less light than a decent bulb from a company like Phillips or Osram (Sylvania).

 

-----signature-----
Remember, remember, the seventeenth of May...tember...
The walrus, spam-bannings, and plot
I know of no reason the Walrus Night treason
Should ever be forgot
Link to this post
Reapist 
Title: Official ACF HIOFI Poster
Posts: 74,991
Registered: Dec 20, '01
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 74,235
User ID: 559,475
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
Ferd, the point I'm making is that you can pretty much eliminate that as part of the problem with the headlights not doing a good job. You would soon realize the headlights were in fact not the problem, but a symptom of the problem.

 

-----signature-----
pkhere: Jebus sometimes you make my arse tired.
Referring to illegal aliens as 'immigrants' is the same as referring to shoplifters as 'shoppers' - Dorvinion
I'd feel bad for Satriani but he got himself into it. - allmightybob_MLF
Link to this post
deadcactus 
Posts: 38,266
Registered: Dec 27, '01
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 37,437
User ID: 577,555
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
Jezza_Belle posted:
seriously, you didn't think to re-aim them already?


Actually, I did. I don't think that's it so I thought I'd ask around for some other options to put on the differential before I go start the investigation...

 

-----signature-----
'member dat?
True dat.
Link to this post
Reapist 
Title: Official ACF HIOFI Poster
Posts: 74,991
Registered: Dec 20, '01
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 74,235
User ID: 559,475
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
Are they the kind that go inside a plastic box? Maybe the outside lens need to be polished.

 

-----signature-----
pkhere: Jebus sometimes you make my arse tired.
Referring to illegal aliens as 'immigrants' is the same as referring to shoplifters as 'shoppers' - Dorvinion
I'd feel bad for Satriani but he got himself into it. - allmightybob_MLF
Link to this post
-Abysmal- 
Posts: 21,891
Registered: Dec 20, '00
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 21,218
User ID: 59,638
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
Jezza_Belle posted:
It is the headlights not being aligned right, because so many idiots don't know how to do it.

http://www.automedia.com/Aiming_Headlights/ccr20010801ha/1


nice link...but that's not all that often unless it's people with those ultra brights.
9 times out of 10 it's the high beams on.

here in MA we are the most inconsiderate drivers on the planet i think and i dont witness alignment as the problem.

 

-----signature-----
Now i LIVESTRONG
GO PATRIOTS
Yankees SUCK!
devil I wish AC looked better, I miss it
sad I love you forever Jamie
Link to this post
deadcactus 
Posts: 38,266
Registered: Dec 27, '01
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 37,437
User ID: 577,555
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
Reapist posted:
Are they the kind that go inside a plastic box? Maybe the outside lens need to be polished.


http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/featured/lights_-and-_bulbs/1461463709.html

 

-----signature-----
'member dat?
True dat.
Link to this post
-Foxy- 
Title: Moderator
Ãœber Brat

Posts: 110,094
Registered: May 29, '02
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 107,357
User ID: 683,944
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
take it someplace like auto zone or pep boys, ask them, and let them give it a quick look.

then you can buy the part there and fix it up.

 

-----signature-----
Long suffering vassal to Xarkath, U.P. - Forever and ever
Link to this post
Reapist 
Title: Official ACF HIOFI Poster
Posts: 74,991
Registered: Dec 20, '01
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 74,235
User ID: 559,475
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
deadcactus posted:
Reapist posted:
Are they the kind that go inside a plastic box? Maybe the outside lens need to be polished.


http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/featured/lights_-and-_bulbs/1461463709.html


Yeah. So sometimes the outside get frosted up some and it's hard to get light thru. But you would have to be the judge of that. There are a few things it could be, but someone who can see it has to make the call.

 

-----signature-----
pkhere: Jebus sometimes you make my arse tired.
Referring to illegal aliens as 'immigrants' is the same as referring to shoplifters as 'shoppers' - Dorvinion
I'd feel bad for Satriani but he got himself into it. - allmightybob_MLF
Link to this post
Ah-Schoo 
Title: Fuzzy Caterpillar of Friendliness
Posts: 71,317
Registered: Aug 11, '00
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 68,974
User ID: 39,247
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
-Foxy- posted:
Ah-Schoo posted:
-Prismatic- posted:
How old is the car?

Are the lenses foggy?

When was the last time you changed the bulbs?

Is your alternator up to par?
I'm here too late. Those are the three that crossed my mind.





pppsstt
there are 4 questions ;p
The first one is not in any way a direct cause for headlight issues. talk_hand

 

-----signature-----
.
Opinion = fact. Anecdote = proof. Political label more important than either of those.
Welcome to ACF, where debate goes to die.
.
"fascist totalitarian secular progressive Zionist intellectually challenged Christian puppets." - Aerlinthina
Link to this post
-Foxy- 
Title: Moderator
Ãœber Brat

Posts: 110,094
Registered: May 29, '02
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 107,357
User ID: 683,944
Subject: Car People: My headlights suck
lol

you didnt SAY it was a direct cause question ;P

 

-----signature-----
Long suffering vassal to Xarkath, U.P. - Forever and ever
Link to this post

Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional Powered by PHP