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Adjusting headlights??

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Old Feb 17, 2012 | 02:48 AM
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Default Adjusting headlights??

When I bought my car I drove it home from the dealership in the evening and noticed the driver's headlight and pointed down and inboard. When I got home I tried adjusting it but was stripped out. I bought new adjusters for it and tonight I re-adjusted them but I can't get the low beams to come up to a decent adjustment?? Both sides are screwed all the way in. Is this normal for the C3s?? I hope not as I do a lot of night driving.
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Old Feb 17, 2012 | 07:30 AM
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Maybe the whole headlight bucket is not fully opened. There is an adjustment for the opening 'stop' position. I think you are to put the lamp adjustments to the center of their travel, then use the bucket 'stop' setting to get lamps approximately level, and finally make fine-tuning adjustments with the lamp screws. The AIM shows how they are adjusted, I believe.
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Old Feb 17, 2012 | 09:45 AM
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A. Ensure both headlight doors are fully up in the correct position.
B. Take it to a shop and let them aim the lights. Most states have laws regarding hi and low beam light paths. If they are adjusted incorrectly, you could be unintentionally blinding on-coming traffic.

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Old Feb 17, 2012 | 12:58 PM
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I would say they are up all the way and the reason being is if I raise the buckets anymore the headlight bucket surround will not be flush with the body. It will start to lift out of the body if that makes any sense..
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Old Feb 17, 2012 | 01:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Easy Mike
A. Ensure both headlight doors are fully up in the correct position.
B. Take it to a shop and let them aim the lights. Most states have laws regarding hi and low beam light paths. If they are adjusted incorrectly, you could be unintentionally blinding on-coming traffic.

I used to aim headlights for Mitsubishi, i've done it for so many years I don't need a machine.
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Old Feb 17, 2012 | 01:56 PM
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Originally Posted by 7T1vette
Maybe the whole headlight bucket is not fully opened. There is an adjustment for the opening 'stop' position. I think you are to put the lamp adjustments to the center of their travel, then use the bucket 'stop' setting to get lamps approximately level, and finally make fine-tuning adjustments with the lamp screws. The AIM shows how they are adjusted, I believe.
I looked at the AIM, it does not show to to adjust them just how everything goes together. Do you have a picture or a procedure on how to do it?? I will at least double check it.
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Old Feb 17, 2012 | 02:05 PM
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Originally Posted by alconk
I looked at the AIM, it does not show to to adjust them just how everything goes together. Do you have a picture or a procedure on how to do it?? I will at least double check it.
I take that back it does give a description on how to do it but not really understand what they're talking about?? So it sounds like you can adjust the actuator rod by turning it either way then there is another screw for final adjustment?? Does that sound right??
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Old Feb 17, 2012 | 02:11 PM
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Originally Posted by alconk
I used to aim headlights for Mitsubishi, i've done it for so many years I don't need a machine.
Didn't you use a machine at Mitsubishi?
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Old Feb 17, 2012 | 03:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Easy Mike
Didn't you use a machine at Mitsubishi?
It was broke down most of the time. Did it by eye.
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Old Feb 17, 2012 | 03:52 PM
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Originally Posted by alconk
...It was broke down most of the time...
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Old Feb 17, 2012 | 05:03 PM
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Default Headlight adjustment specs????

1) How far from my closed garage door should my headlights be?
2) What is the height to beam center for low and high beams?
3) Any left-to-right alignment requirements?
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Old Feb 17, 2012 | 06:00 PM
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Here is what your looking for

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Old Feb 17, 2012 | 11:58 PM
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This is the best/easiest way to adjust your headlights and the way the dealerships did it.

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Old Feb 18, 2012 | 12:19 AM
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Wow, how did you get ahold of those??
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Old Feb 18, 2012 | 12:32 AM
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Originally Posted by alconk
Wow, how did you get ahold of those??
There's some on fleabay right now. AC-DELCO H-13 Headlight aimer kit

Just search for "headlight aimer"
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Old Feb 18, 2012 | 01:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Kid Vette
There's some on fleabay right now. AC-DELCO H-13 Headlight aimer kit

Just search for "headlight aimer"
Can they also do the high beams as well??
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Old Feb 18, 2012 | 01:47 AM
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looks like mini guns
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To Adjusting headlights??

Old Feb 18, 2012 | 02:49 AM
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Back to adjusting the headlights, I have what I thought was a rock chip on the leading edge of the body where the headlight door goes up and down and come to find out when the door goes up it's hitting the body edge. If that makes sense?? Anyway I need to move the door assembly forward about a 1/8th". I looked in the AIM but I don't see any adjustment for that??
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Old Feb 18, 2012 | 07:22 AM
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My corvette's lights seem to be great at night. I was not expecting it from such an old car.

When I upgraded my Mustang's headlights to HID, I tested them buy parking cars in a fashion as if they were driving down the road in opposite directions. Sat in the other car and determined if I thought they were too bright. Then I went out and tested it by driving. haha.

I get flashed some still, but its usually in the same areas; farming communities. Probably places where a lot of people are not use to HIDs and don't realized they are intensified and that they shouldn't look directly into my headlight. If they would keep their eyes in front of them, they wouldn't feel the same. HIDs are just bright and look like high beams are on when compared to a yellow stock bulb.

Last edited by ~Stingray; Feb 18, 2012 at 07:25 AM.
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Old Feb 18, 2012 | 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted by alconk
Can they also do the high beams as well??
Yes
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