I just replaced my headlight bulbs, but the left seems to be aimed very low and I have no idea where the right one is aimed. Anyone with an idea??

 

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...djustment.html

Might want to investigate that link at the top of the page....the search one, click on it...select advanced search...and type in what you need to know )"headlight adjust").

Many questions come up over and over and search may help ya get the answer without waiting for someone to reply.

Just a thought.

The link above has what you're looking for.

Enjoy

 

Assuming you have stock lights, it's probably either the bulb that's unseated or the headlight unit incorrectly mounted in the cradle. Are both lights out of true? If so, its probably the latter. If its only low beam thats out, concentrate on the bulb for starters.


Here's a How To I put out a while ago which might help.

Aiming Stock Headlights

Preparation

Chose a white wall to project the lights onto
Mark a vertical centreline on the screen in line with the center of the car (black tape?)
(look over the roof of the car to get the line)

Measure the height from the floor to the center of the headlight capsule
Mark a horizontal aiming line on the screen

Measure the distance between the centreline of the right headlight module and the center of the left headlight module.
Position the vertical tapes this distance to the right and left of the screen centreline

Lubricate the adjustment screws before adjusting See Note

Adjustments

Raise the hood
Raise the headlights
Remove the headlamp adjustment screw plug
Turn on the low beam headlights and block the light from projecting onto the screen from the passenger headlight



Check the horizontal aim

Adjust the horizontal aim adjusting screw to align the left edge of the high intensity zone with the headlight vertical centreline
The left edge of the beam should lie within 4” to the left and 4” to the right
of the vertical centreline.

Check the vertical aim

Adjust the vertical aim adjusting screw to align the top edge of the high intensity zone with the headlight horizontal centreline
The left edge of the beam should lie within 2” above and 2.5” below the lamp horizontal centreline.

Reinstall the headlamp adjustment screw plug

Repeat for the other headlight

Turn off the lights and close the hood

This is the pattern you're looking for




Advice Frome LonestarFRC:

Lubrication may not be enough. The problem is that the spray can't actually penetrate to where it's needed. There's a little internal gear-drive mechanism involved.

Important! If you attempt to make any adjustments, especially one involving the up/down adjuster and it doesn't move, or you meet a lot of resistance, stop right there. Do NOT attempt to force things. You will ABSOLUTELY break the long "goldenrod' (gold colored rod about 3" long). This is not an "if" or "maybe". Do NOT force it by twisting your wrench/nut-driver harder and harder. Once broken, these pieces are NOT available as a separate repair piece from GM. They will only sell you the entire headlight assembly.

If yours are frozen up, do a search on this issue. Many many posts about it. "Goldenrods" is one if the terms that may be helpful when doing a search. There IS a way to unfreeze the gear-drive mechanism but it involves removal of the headlight assembly to get access.

You can see how the bulbs fit into the headlight unit in this picture (thanks to Junkman for the pic)

 

Assuming you have stock lights, it's probably either the bulb that's unseated or the headlight unit incorrectly mounted in the cradle. Are both lights out of true? If so, its probably the latter. If its only low beam thats out, concentrate on the bulb for starters.

I need to see if they are unseated. I don't remember the original bulbs being so out of whack. I have very little distance view. The left bulb is focused on 15 feet in front of the car and I have no idea where the right one is 'aimed'.

 

There are 3 bolts that hold the headlight unit into the cradle. While you're in there, check that they are tight.

If both lights are out it may just be that they are badly adjusted. 15 feet is still way too close. It'll be obvious where they're aimed when you point them at the garage door (or whatever you use).

Make sure you lubricate the adjusting rods before playing with them.

 

Great information - saved this for future use.

 

I only replaced the low beams-the highs are fine, which made me suspicious of my installation. It's a bit dicey for a first timer, especially the hysterical warnings: DON'T TOUCH THE BULB!!. I think I will remove the unit so I can see what I'm doing.

 

Just rechecked in the rain. They were both seated improperly. I am glad they did not move around. I don't have a garage door, so I pointed them towards the rear bumper of my white car and they line up much better.

 

Good that you fixed it

 

I hope!!! Where did you get that cool avatar??

 

He'll do your car if you wish. PM me and I'll dig out the link

 

Chose a white wall to project the lights onto
Mark a vertical centreline on the screen in line with the center of the car (black tape?)
(look over the roof of the car to get the line)


What is the distance of the screen to the car( headlights)?

 

dunno, you didn't tell me!

 

Actually, I'm interested in those dotted lines....

 

I would bet money one of your bulbs are not seated right, It is a pain to get them installed right, It took me a few trys before I got mine mounted right.
Bill

 

I'll back your money!!!

 

I bent the crap outta the little metal fingers that surround the mounting hole on the last halogen swap I did before I went to the HID projectors. I didnt even know it until I disassembled it all to do the swap, I never would have understood what was bent by feeling around in there.

Come to think of it, when I first got the car the lights were aimed rediculously low and they werent aimed alike, so maybe some of the bending was prior to my ownership.

Anyway, its not really a lot of work to take the carriers out or to disassemble enough to actually see what your doing in there. Might as well get it straightened out now so future bulb replacement wont aggravate ya.

Good luck

 

Thanks, now if Mother Nature would do me a favor, I might find out for sure...

 

My left low beam is still not correct. A long backroad ride last nite confirmed it. It's aimed way down in front/middle of the car, while re-installing the right beam corrected the aim. I will try AGAIN to reinstall the left, but if not, should I just re-aim the light? At this point I don't remember WTH the original aim was like.

I reinstalled the left low beam, used mirror and gooseneck light to be sure it was seated properly. THEN I aimed that light. It was way off according to DG's directions. Took a ride this evening and much better now, tho' I still don't think the lights are the greatest after all.