Technical Adjusting headlights

[nmrmak]

I've fitted new bulbs (standard H4), but now the lights are too high. I tried making a quick fix by lowering them with the electrical actuators from within the cabin, but they are still too high. I looked around, but i couldn't see where the lightbeam height is adjusted. Any ideas? Also, it seems like i'll need to adjust the left headlight a little to the inside, are there left/right regulators?

I searched already, but people only said it's possible (and i believe them, honest!), and i'm still confused as to how to do it...

 

[rallycinq]

If the lights were in the right place before fitting the bulbs, then either you've got the wrong bulbs, or they are not sitting right.

The only other possible answer is that you have broken the mounts fitting the lights.

Cheers

D

 

[nmrmak]

I've changed bulbs before, but they were all of the same make. Now i've bought different ones (90/100 watts), might be that the manufacturer makes them a little different. Is it possible to sort this somehow?

 

[rallycinq]

Sometimes when you buy high power off road bulbs you have to file off a tag to prove that you haven't fitted them by accident. They are illegal in this country, don't know about your legal situation.

If you haven't filed the lug off then they will not sit straight.

Compare the base with those that you took out.

Remember to upgrade the wiring with relays when fitting these bulbs.

Cheers

D

 

[nmrmak]

Thanks a lot, that could be it, since both lights are pointing a few degrees up more than they should. The laws in Serbia do not prohibit 90/100 W bulbs, only put some restrictions on xenon lights iirc. However, I'm not even sure this is 90/100, shines like 55/60 tbh.

If everything else fails, i'll just go and buy new bulbs. The stock seicento ones are really crappy in my opinion, I can't see a thing with them at night.

 

[rallycinq]

Have a good look through the lense and make sure the reflector is not discoloured. If they have faded from bright silver then there is no way any sort of bulbs are going to do the job.

What are your rules on auxiliary lights?

Cheers

D

 

[nmrmak]

To be honest, i'd have to read the laws, but whatever the laws are, they aren't enforced. I've seen all sorts of cars out there, and passing a MOT here isn't hard at all. If it has 4 wheels and brakes, it's good. It's mainly because 80% of the cars would fail, so they can't really enforce those rules.

Obviously, if you went for an overkill and put up 4x1000W reflectors on the roof + 200W foglights, they would tell you to knock it off, but i can't imagine anyone making you pay a fine for it.

If it IS the reflectors, then i should get them from a scrappy or new? I suppose i shouldn't try to repaint them myself

 

[randomizered]

You have the electric adjuster, but there are also manual adjusters on the headlights. You need a large allen key or hex bit. They are in the black section at the top of the light.


My "mounts" in the light may be broken or a bit dodgy. If you push hard on the back of the light, the whole reflector part in the lens drops forward. If you push down on the back of the bulb connector though, you can get them back to the correct position.

Once they are in the right place again, they stay put, and you can then fine adjust.


Been like that for years now.

I wouldn't run 100w in them personally though, a lot of heat. Cheap HID kits would make more of a difference, but they typically have a normal halogen full beam

Cheers,

Kristian

 

[nmrmak]

I'm not really going for looks here, just want to see the road. Do you reckon that 100W will destroy the reflector bit quickly?
I look at other cars and see they have a lot stronger light beam with no xenon, so i was wondering if a simple upgrade to 90/100W bulbs would help.

I'll try adjusting them today (tonight), thanks!

 

[rallycinq]

Its the heat in the cables you need to worry about. Drawing 100W through cabling designed for 60W can cause the wiring to melt. Hence my reference to fitting relays.

Cheers

D