TSBs and How-To Articles This is for information on Technical Service Bulletins and for posting How-To Articles.

headlight hell

Thread Tools
 
Old Aug 12, 2015 | 10:55 PM
  #1 (permalink)  
ChrisA's Avatar
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: California sacramento
Default headlight hell

I changed out both headlights last week and for the life of me i cant get the bulbs centered both are pointing about 10 feet in front of the car . I have tried about 30 times and still cant get it . Thinking of pulling the headlight fixture so i can get a good look at it.

Are there any good tips to getting these in right or any one around sacramento , lodi, stockton that could show me how. Sorta frustrated by a simple thing.. swallowing my pride even asking lol
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2015 | 11:13 PM
  #2 (permalink)  
Speedy4x4's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,006
Likes: 15
From: Southern IL.
Default

You would be surprised how many times I have seen this come up.
Most just have the bulb upside down.
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2015 | 12:15 AM
  #3 (permalink)  
ChrisA's Avatar
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: California sacramento
Default Re: headlight hell

The flat side is to the bottom i can see that part lol new bulbs are the same as old ones just not getting it right damn big hands i guess
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2015 | 08:01 AM
  #4 (permalink)  
onehundred80's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 25,432
Likes: 647
From: Ontario
Default Re: headlight hell

Originally Posted by ChrisA
The flat side is to the bottom i can see that part lol new bulbs are the same as old ones just not getting it right damn big hands i guess
The flat is at the bottom on the low beams and at the top on the high beams.
I think that is the orientation or the opposite, I have not done it for a while, you can see the pocket they fit in.
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2015 | 09:53 AM
  #5 (permalink)  
pizzaguy's Avatar
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 13,959
Likes: 1,288
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Default Re: headlight hell

Pull the car up to the garage, about 10 feet from it, and move the bulbs around until they focus on the DOOR not on the BOTTOM of the door.

This comes up all the time. And as 100/80 has stated, the highs and lows go in 180 degrees differently.
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2015 | 11:00 AM
  #6 (permalink)  
ChrisA's Avatar
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: California sacramento
Default Re: headlight hell

I have the orentation correct and can see that the flat part is on the bottom they look perfect from what i can see.
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2015 | 01:04 PM
  #7 (permalink)  
pizzaguy's Avatar
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 13,959
Likes: 1,288
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Default Re: headlight hell

But you need to turn the lights on, face the garage, and tinker with the bulb while you can SEE the focus on the door!

I've battled this before - there is a "knack" to it!
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2015 | 07:29 PM
  #8 (permalink)  
onehundred80's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 25,432
Likes: 647
From: Ontario
Default Re: headlight hell

Originally Posted by ChrisA
I have the orentation correct and can see that the flat part is on the bottom they look perfect from what i can see.
Have you actually read what has been said or are we talking about the low beams only?
Please acknowledge that the high and low beams have the flats on the bulbs installed at the top and bottom respectively.
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2015 | 08:34 PM
  #9 (permalink)  
chturner's Avatar
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 292
Likes: 4
From: Cochran, Georgia
Default Re: headlight hell

Mine were also hazy until I followed advice given on here. The notch of metal at the bottom slides into a pocket once you twist it 90 degrees. 180 stated that 3 or 4 posts ago
 
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2015 | 04:46 PM
  #10 (permalink)  
ToneRaider's Avatar
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Seattle
Default Re: headlight hell

Also, the bulbs must be seated properly. It's not just the crossfire, my daughter's KIA has the same bulb and same problem. If bulb isn't seated properly it will point downward.
 
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2015 | 05:02 PM
  #11 (permalink)  
onehundred80's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 25,432
Likes: 647
From: Ontario
Default Re: headlight hell

Originally Posted by chturner
Mine were also hazy until I followed advice given on here. The notch of metal at the bottom slides into a pocket once you twist it 90 degrees. 180 stated that 3 or 4 posts ago
I never said anything about 90°.
The high and low beams are at 180° to each other, that is what I said.
 
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2015 | 09:13 PM
  #12 (permalink)  
chturner's Avatar
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 292
Likes: 4
From: Cochran, Georgia
Default Re: headlight hell

Originally Posted by onehundred80
I never said anything about 90°.
The high and low beams are at 180° to each other, that is what I said.
Ahh, as long as we're helping. Maybe he has figured it out
 
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2015 | 09:55 PM
  #13 (permalink)  
ChrisA's Avatar
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: California sacramento
Default Re: headlight hell

Yes i have the orentation correct the flat on the low beams is at the bottom. I have reseated them several times verified at the dealer they are the correct bullbs just stumped perhaps my hands are too big lol
 
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2015 | 04:11 PM
  #14 (permalink)  
chturner's Avatar
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 292
Likes: 4
From: Cochran, Georgia
Default Re: headlight hell

Originally Posted by ChrisA
Yes i have the orentation correct the flat on the low beams is at the bottom. I have reseated them several times verified at the dealer they are the correct bullbs just stumped perhaps my hands are too big lol
I struggle with them too. Took me a few days of twisting and feeling around in there. You will feel it when you get it right.
 
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2015 | 04:28 PM
  #15 (permalink)  
syfi's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,922
Likes: 25
From: Spacecoast, Florida
Default Re: headlight hell

Originally Posted by ChrisA
Yes i have the orentation correct the flat on the low beams is at the bottom. I have reseated them several times verified at the dealer they are the correct bullbs just stumped perhaps my hands are too big lol
I've heard of certain mfg of H7 bulbs are made with the frame being slightly irregular and never seat right. Also some off-brand bulbs may not be positioned straight in the frame and will shine downward even when seated correctly. I've had this same problem with cheap HID bulbs also. Try a different mfg and see if that fixes it! Find good name brand bulbs (like Osram or Philips) which are better mfg wise.
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2015 | 04:37 PM
  #16 (permalink)  
ChrisA's Avatar
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: California sacramento
Default Re: headlight hell

Took some pictures
 
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
image.jpg (1.31 MB, 53 views)
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2015 | 09:11 PM
  #17 (permalink)  
jmswllms's Avatar
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Lindale Ga.
Default Re: headlight hell

Chris, they're telling you to install the bulb flush in the socket. Then use the wire clip to hold it there.
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2015 | 09:54 PM
  #18 (permalink)  
grip grip's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,902
Likes: 15
From: TN
Default Re: headlight hell

Sounds like you need to screw in the leveling adjustment until the ball pops back in the joint. Then you can back out the adjustment to raise the light. Hopefully one of these guys will explain further.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
smfrycruzr
Exterior & Lighting
29
Jul 17, 2023 05:33 PM
srtmodder
Exterior & Lighting
13
Aug 23, 2017 08:28 PM
Franc Rauscher
Troubleshooting & Technical Questions & Modifications
14
May 9, 2016 12:04 PM
gp1200x
Exterior & Lighting
22
Dec 6, 2015 12:59 PM
RacerXofFL
Cars For Sale - Archive
2
Sep 15, 2015 05:00 PM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:55 PM.