Headlight adjustment problems

[Jimeg]

I'm having problems adjusting the low beams of my HID headlights. My left beam is too far to the left and a bit high. It also has a much narrower beam then the left side. (Possibly it's a faulty light). The right side has a wider or normal type beam but it's too low and.... I'm out of adjustment for both headlights. Strange situation as the high beams are perfect. I'm at a loss here , any thoughts? At this juncture I just might use the high beams all the time. The strange thing is a local friend with a BDR is having the same problem and results.

[PaulProe]

Jim
You don't say what style the lamps are. Are they standard sealed beam, 7" bulbs? Lucas PL700 bulbs? Other?

If it is a sealed beam, they are always aimed on the low beam, projecting onto a screen at 25' so the upper edge is the same height as the center of the lamp on the car. The left edge of the beam should be even with the vertical center of the lamp. When switched to the high beam, it will typically be oval shaped and centered around the projected center of the lamp.

You have to project the center of the car and lamps to the 25' distance, it is all done on a flat plane. You can use two pieces of wood, cut the the same height as the center of the headlamp off the ground. Then put on at the front tire and the other at the rear tire. You can then sight across the top of them to the 25' distance and make a mark that would be that height, projected.

This is a link to a pdf that illustrates the procedure.

generally the aim of sealed beam lights is pretty good and very consistent. I suspect there is something incorrect in the procedure you're following.

Paul

[John-Tucson]

Paul, that was an excellent pdf on headlight alignment. Jimeg, the basic measurements are: 25' from the car to your garage door,( flat surface) measure up from the ground 24", put a "post it" there on both sides. Adjust the headlights on the "low" or "normal" setting and get the beam on the "post it". The exact way to do it is on the pgf that Paul posted. Good luck, John

[Cashburn]

Call me next week.

[strictlypersonl]

The position of the low beams is fixed relative to the high beams (which should be aimed straight down the road and horizontal). If your left low beam is too far to the left, you might have unit(s) for a RHD car.

[Jimeg]

Originally Posted by PaulProe

Jim
You don't say what style the lamps are. Are they standard sealed beam, 7" bulbs? Lucas PL700 bulbs? Other?

If it is a sealed beam, they are always aimed on the low beam, projecting onto a screen at 25' so the upper edge is the same height as the center of the lamp on the car. The left edge of the beam should be even with the vertical center of the lamp. When switched to the high beam, it will typically be oval shaped and centered around the projected center of the lamp.

You have to project the center of the car and lamps to the 25' distance, it is all done on a flat plane. You can use two pieces of wood, cut the the same height as the center of the headlamp off the ground. Then put on at the front tire and the other at the rear tire. You can then sight across the top of them to the 25' distance and make a mark that would be that height, projected.

This is a link to a pdf that illustrates the procedure.

generally the aim of sealed beam lights is pretty good and very consistent. I suspect there is something incorrect in the procedure you're following.

Paul

Thanks for your response Guys,

Paul, the PDF is excellent. I'll follow that procedure the first opportunity I get and let you know how the fix worked.

[Jimeg]

Originally Posted by Cashburn

Call me next week.

Will do......Were you successful on the roller?

[D111]

in my case left-hand drive bulbs is a possibility, my low beams flareup to the left and the high beams are dead on center.

But Jim , you have HID US version I would assume?

[Jimeg]

Originally Posted by D111

in my case left-hand drive bulbs is a possibility, my low beams flareup to the left and the high beams are dead on center.

But Jim , you have HID US version I would assume?

That is correct Dennis, I do have HID which I'm assuming are US made but who knows, they could be the typical "Made in China" brand. I think something is wrong with the bulb as all adjustments made on the left fixture provide the same result, high to the left and a narrow beam.....

[Cashburn]

Verify adjustment screws are not too long and contacting the body limiting movement.

Also, Jim did we install the HID kit? We can put another hosing on that is for USA market and should allow better aiming for LHD.

Have not done anything on the roller... it's too "old" to have to tell the stories on and I don't think my offer is in line with his perceived value at all. Have 3 rollers inbound now though and 3 consignments on the floor.

[FWB]

now just wait a minute....left hand bulbs.....are you guys freakin serious?

i'm certainly not a new guy to cars but a left hand bulb? is that like a left handed pencil?

[FWB]

so if i installed my lamps with the writing upsidedown i would not be able to adjust them because i was turning them into left hand bulbs
guys back away from the bong........

[D111]

Originally Posted by FWB

now just wait a minute....left hand bulbs.....are you guys freakin serious?

i'm certainly not a new guy to cars but a left hand bulb? is that like a left handed pencil?

headlights are made to put light towards certain directions and different from low beam to high beam within the same bulb and not just like a flashlight. So headlights for a country that you drive on the right not wanting to shine into the oncoming cars on the left would make sense being constructed differently versus US left hand driving bulbs.

my question is how do you identify a US market bulb?

[Jimeg]

Originally Posted by Cashburn

Verify adjustment screws are not too long and contacting the body limiting movement.

Also, Jim did we install the HID kit? We can put another hosing on that is for USA market and should allow better aiming for LHD.

Have not done anything on the roller... it's too "old" to have to tell the stories on and I don't think my offer is in line with his perceived value at all. Have 3 rollers inbound now though and 3 consignments on the floor.

Yes on you guys making doing the install and yes on having to make a change. I tried all methods of adjusting the beams with the same result. Dennis borrowed a set of the old fashion suction cup level type headlight adjusters from a friend's body shop which also proved unsuccessful as well.

Its not a real big deal at this juncture, I'll just adjust the lights down and use the high beams which will be fine for the short haul.

I hear you on the roller and happy to see you continue to be busy.......

[Rwillia4]

The best way to tell if you have lens (and bulbs) made for the US is on the front glass it will say DOT, which is the dept of transportation approval for the beam defraction configuration (where the light goes and more importantly where it doesn't go). If you drive a lot of rural back roads the best configuration is to buy one for US and one for a right hand drive (like Australia). Stick the aussie lens in the driver side. (this is not a thing to do for driving with on coming traffic)

Jimeg are your HID lights a full kit or are they H4 HID bulbs in a 7" lens? you might what to check to see that the bulbs are seated correctly in the lens.

On my BDR the adjustment screw was backing into the lens bucket and limited adjustment. Make sure the back side of the adjustment is free.

[Cashburn]

Dennis try these: Hella 002395301 - Hella Vision Plus Conversion Headlights - Overview - SummitRacing.com

[D111]

thank you Jay

Yes I have no dot on my headlights.

[Rwillia4]

Originally Posted by D111

Yes I have no dot on my headlights.

From your pic, you do have driver on the left side lens.

[D111]

Originally Posted by Rwillia4

From your pic, you do have driver on the left side lens.

there is also a lower tiny light bulb within the lens with separate terminals not connected.
Maybe there are additional directional's in some countries?

[Gaz64]

I'd say you have lamp assemblies meant for RHD cars.

No amount of adjustment will fix this, replace the lamps with LHD units.

There is no such thing as LHD or RHD bulbs, the lamp reflector or lens prisms determine which side of the road they are meant for.

The small bulb is a parklight.