Dim Headlights?
#1
03-05-2011, 12:24 PM
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Dim Headlights?
My wifes '96 850T headlights are getting very dim...is this just a case of bulbs nearing end of life, or is there some other issue probable? Poor ground? Low voltage? some other issue that can cause this?
I thought bulbs just "died" instead of going dim. Are Silverstars the bulb of choice? I want to make sure I solve any other problem before throwing parts at it.
Great forum guys...every question I've asked has been expertly responded to!
Jim-Mer
Canton, OH
96 850T
05 S60
I thought bulbs just "died" instead of going dim. Are Silverstars the bulb of choice? I want to make sure I solve any other problem before throwing parts at it.
Great forum guys...every question I've asked has been expertly responded to!
Jim-Mer
Canton, OH
96 850T
05 S60
#2
03-06-2011, 04:01 PM
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OK, well I know dim headlights are not exactly a exciting topic, but I did hope for a response. 
What I did was remove the headlight assembly, separated the glass from the housing, cleaned the inside surface carefully, inspected the reflector (looked fine to me), reassembled the whole thing and replaced the low beams with silverstars. They do seem to be brighter, but not as much as I would have thought they should be. I re-amied the lights, and will go out tonight to see how much of a difference it makes.
I really don't want to go to the hassle of retrofitting projector beams or HIDs, and don't think I should have to just to get decent lights.
Jim-Mer
What I did was remove the headlight assembly, separated the glass from the housing, cleaned the inside surface carefully, inspected the reflector (looked fine to me), reassembled the whole thing and replaced the low beams with silverstars. They do seem to be brighter, but not as much as I would have thought they should be. I re-amied the lights, and will go out tonight to see how much of a difference it makes.
I really don't want to go to the hassle of retrofitting projector beams or HIDs, and don't think I should have to just to get decent lights.
Jim-Mer
#3
03-06-2011, 08:34 PM
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How are the high beams? are they dim too?
How long have you had the car? is this something that just happened out of the blue?
Check your connections, check your wires for corrosion.
I would check your charging system before you do anything... Does the car have any starting problems?
Silverstars will give you more light but if you have a voltage issue no matter what lights you put in you will still have that problem. HID's will not even work properly if you have a low voltage issue, they will flicker or just not turn on.
How long have you had the car? is this something that just happened out of the blue?
Check your connections, check your wires for corrosion.
I would check your charging system before you do anything... Does the car have any starting problems?
Silverstars will give you more light but if you have a voltage issue no matter what lights you put in you will still have that problem. HID's will not even work properly if you have a low voltage issue, they will flicker or just not turn on.
#4
03-07-2011, 06:22 AM
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Brights were fine, no starting or other apparent electrical issues. When I took the headlight assemblies out and apart I looked at all the connections, which seemed to be fine. I did hit them with contact cleaner just to be sure.
Only thing I can figure is the bulbs were just shot. Took it out for a test drive last night and I can say they are 100% improved.
Thanks!
Jim
Only thing I can figure is the bulbs were just shot. Took it out for a test drive last night and I can say they are 100% improved.
Thanks!
Jim
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