Improving the C-3 Headlights
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 716
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From: Albuquerque New Mexico
Improving the C-3 Headlights
I have an '82 and have done a lot to the car in the first year of owning it. I've put on 15K miles and has performed admirably well and always a fun cruiser - except at night. I feel it's time to do something about the headlights. They just don't seem too bright. For all I know they are probably original - considering the car was unmolested and still had the original radio installed when I bought it. I'm hoping to not have to invest in a serious upgrade kit but wondering if there are some replacement bulbs out there that work much better than originals and/or a simple inexpensive mod to improve nightime visibility.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I have an '82 and have done a lot to the car in the first year of owning it. I've put on 15K miles and has performed admirably well and always a fun cruiser - except at night. I feel it's time to do something about the headlights. They just don't seem too bright. For all I know they are probably original - considering the car was unmolested and still had the original radio installed when I bought it. I'm hoping to not have to invest in a serious upgrade kit but wondering if there are some replacement bulbs out there that work much better than originals and/or a simple inexpensive mod to improve nightime visibility.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
Try cleaning all connections connected to the headlamp system including all grounds. If you want to do a bypass test of the dimmer and headlight switch to see if they are adding to the dim problem let me know. Also before trying to remove screws holding the headlights and the frame around them soak good with PB or you will break them off.
The halogen sealed beams are an improvement too and not expensive.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,813
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From: JOPPA MD
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
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From: North Easton Mass
The car is wired with all of the current for the headlights passing through the headlight switch. After 40 years or so corrosion is going to build up and either make the switch fail (i.e. burn up) or reduce the current to the headlights. It's pretty easy to add a relay powered off the alternator to power the lights and just use the headlight switch to control the relay so you only have a low-current source passing through the switch. Without switching bulbs you will probably see the bulbs putting out noticeably more light. Sealed beam Halogens are also available in any auto parts store. If you really want a lot more light get something like Cibie or Hella lights that have replaceable halogen bulbs in a precision-made housing.
Rick B.
Rick B.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 716
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From: Albuquerque New Mexico
Thanks for all the good advise - I'll start with cleaning contacts and see what happens and then will replace the low beams with some newer technology.
Curious - where do you find the Cibie or Hella lights and approx. how much?
Curious - where do you find the Cibie or Hella lights and approx. how much?
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
If you're still interested and have not found out yourself yet, you should go to Daniel Stern for your headlights. IIRC, a C3 uses quad 5.75" round headlights. He sells the excellent Cibie E-code stuff. I put Cibie E-codes on my dad's '86 several years ago, and they're excellent. E-code is better under all conditions (you see better and glare oncoming cars less), and Cibie's stuff is really well made and finished. He's very friendly and helpful if you email him and has a good sense of what will and won't work. It shouldn't require modifications to use standard E-codes, but you'd be a good candidate for Cibie CSRs with that quad setup. That would require some mods if you're willing. Read some of the tech articles and email him what you're looking for and how much you're willing to spend. He'll get you fixed up.
