dim headlights, reason??

[3134]

I have a 97 gs-t with very dim headlights. I have silverstar bulbs, but they are still dim. If anyone has has this problem please let me know what your problem was. thanks.

 

[sc2_ct]

Try measuring the voltage at the bulb harness. If you're getting below about 12.5v with the engine running then consider replacing the bulb harnesses and cleaning up the ground points.

 

[trd-2-dsm]

check your alternator also. are other things dim on the car

 

[kspharris]

Also make sure that all your grounds are ok.

 

[timm98gst]

your profile didn't say so but are you maybe running underdrive pulleys?

 

[rjdavis21]

possibly snap a photo? are they dim or just pointed too far down? try raising them maybe.

 

[GSTBlack95]

Whats funny is I had that problem and it was a dirty headlight...no seriously true story, but I still kept my silverstars I love em!

 

[Attack Eagle]

aiming, dirty or fading lenses, unreasonable expectations...

I have 9006 and 9005s and I'm perfectly content. Much betterthan stock or OEM replacement bulbs. Much brighter than the factory fogs which still run normal h3s.

You can always do the 9005 mod if you are still unhappy after checking all of the above.

 

[1gcrazy]

aiming, dirty or fading lenses, unreasonable expectations....

Dude not to be a dick but there are some DUMBASS people out there so you never know...
Better to cover the basics first. You dont jump into changing a headgasket on an overheating engine if you havn't even checked the thermostat right?

 

[Attack Eagle]

what were you trying to say with your post?

BTW I have an underdrive and my headlights are excellent...
as I said if you are stil unhappy after checking ALL of the above... (voltage at the headlight connector, aiming, clean lenses and assuring you are not being unreasonable by expecting HID like performance) try the 9005 mod.

 

[1gcrazy]

that not EVERYONE cleans their lenses and checks if they're level. The dumbest question is the one you dont ask.

 

[Attack Eagle]

ahh. I though I was missing something that was obvious to you...

It's amazing that people will spend all kinds of money to up their headlight's performance, but won't do something free like take the time to aim them for free, or to readjust them after modifying suspension, or taking them off and back on.

I spent about 1/2 an hour - 1hour playing with aiming and testing on well lit streets and dark roads to find where i liked them best. Made a world of difference in usable output.

I'm probably gonna do the 9005 mod myself anyway... it's been a year since i put the 9006s in and I find myself flicking the highbeams a lot in residential areas (getting old at 31 I guess, night vision is starting to go!).

Since i run fogs with low and highbeams (fogs with hi mod from vfaq) i use a slightly higher aiming point than is normal, works well for me.

 

[1gcrazy]

ahh. I though I was missing something that was obvious to you...

It's amazing that people will spend all kinds of money to up their headlight's performance, but won't do something free like take the time to aim them for free, or to readjust them after modifying suspension, or taking them off and back on.

I spent about 1/2 an hour - 1hour playing with aiming and testing on well lit streets and dark roads to find where i liked them best. Made a world of difference in usable output.

I'm probably gonna do the 9005 mod myself anyway... it's been a year since i put the 9006s in and I find myself flicking the highbeams a lot in residential areas (getting old at 31 I guess, night vision is starting to go!).

Since i run fogs with low and highbeams (fogs with hi mod from vfaq) i use a slightly higher aiming point than is normal, works well for me.

Yeah it is amazing. I used to work at my dads shop a few years ago and I would buff out headlights as a side job. I made a few bucks. You'd be suprised at how many people actually have really dirty headlights.
I've never had any problem with aiming lights. I havn't gotten that far as to lower a vehicle. Not too high on my priority list.
I did do the high fog mod on my 91 celica a while back and was very pleased with the result. i dont know why they didn't just do that from the factory?

 

[3134]

well out of the three basics i have checked the aiming of the lights, i have buffed the lenses of the lights numerous times and believe me my expectations arent high... In dark side streets the lights are so dim i can see at most 10 feet in front of me and have had numerous times where i have to stop short due to something i should have seen earlier. About the aiming i noticed that it seems hard for the lights to not be aiming right, they lock in at a certain angle and really dont move. I have not lowered my car so i dont see why the aiming would change. I did however stick my finger into the whole where the bulb goes into and remove some dirt and this helped a small bit... And to answer someone else s question i do not have pulleys. I was told by one mechanic that my lenses just look old and scratched but though they are scratched i find it hard to believe they are any more scratched then other cars that are 9 years old and dont see why the scratches they have would have this much of an impact.