ACA LIght Kit Zeroing problems....
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 750
Likes: 40
From: Deltona Florida
ACA LIght Kit Zeroing problems....
Just installed my new Radioflyer ACA Projector headlights in 5000K. The low beams fail to emit any credible light to the street in low beam mode.
The high beams are terrific! I elevated the housings as far as I dare turn the torx screw so it won't break, and the lights did not come up any significant amount to put the low beam to the pavement in a suitable manner.
Would like some input from someone with a 03 C5 that may have encountered this same issue. Up close the low beams appear to be just dynamic with the bright white light, but they fail to make the mark on the pavement and cannot zero or align them currently.
Both lights are at significant different angles too....
The housing is fixed so the bulbs installed are also fixed in position, so I cannot adjust them upward for better beam alignment.
Am at a standstill...
Help help!!
thanks,
Ninja
The high beams are terrific! I elevated the housings as far as I dare turn the torx screw so it won't break, and the lights did not come up any significant amount to put the low beam to the pavement in a suitable manner.
Would like some input from someone with a 03 C5 that may have encountered this same issue. Up close the low beams appear to be just dynamic with the bright white light, but they fail to make the mark on the pavement and cannot zero or align them currently.
Both lights are at significant different angles too....
The housing is fixed so the bulbs installed are also fixed in position, so I cannot adjust them upward for better beam alignment.
Am at a standstill...
Help help!!
thanks,
Ninja
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 115
From: Odessa FL
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Did you modify the headlight bracket for clearance? See the attached thread by patches. If not the lights may not be sitting in the bracket correctly and the ribs may limit your ability to adjust the lights.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...otsa-pics.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...otsa-pics.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,234
Likes: 64
From: Gulf Coast Mississippi
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
I would contact George, he will definitely make sure that your issue is resolved, if I'm not mistaken he has to take each of these units apart when he modifies them, so it's possible something could have happened during shipping, I have the same lights except with the halos and they are awesome headlamps, especially on low beam.
Not the best pic
Not the best pic
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 235
From: North Carolina
When I installed Radioflyers setup a couple of months back I found one of the assemblies had been replaced with a newer style 2000 and newer during warranty work. The other side was original from 1998 and did not have the raised ribs. I had to modify the newer version as described in Patches link, see photo #20. Also make sure that the high beam halogens are seated in the socket properly (all bulb tabs in the socket).
Last edited by MAC5; Jan 6, 2014 at 10:32 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 115
From: Odessa FL
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
That's an interesting link and the modifications that were necessary to install the ACA Projector lights. However, I copied the following information directly from Radioflyer Innovations Web Site about the ACA Projector lights that he sells:
This kit installs un under an hour with common hand tools. No cutting, drilling grinding splicing or other permanent modifications are required. Aiming is accomplished by using the factory adjusters.
Ninjawarrior, Have you contacted Radioflyer (George) to discuss this problem????
This kit installs un under an hour with common hand tools. No cutting, drilling grinding splicing or other permanent modifications are required. Aiming is accomplished by using the factory adjusters.
Ninjawarrior, Have you contacted Radioflyer (George) to discuss this problem????
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 271
Likes: 1
From: McHenry Illinois
St. Jude Donor '14
I am considering installing these same lights, so I will be interested in how this problem is solved. George told me by PM some weeks ago that I would not have to modify the brackets by cutting down the ribs. I have an 04 and I did not realize that the brackets may be different beginning in 99 (pre-99 cars do not have the ribs?)
Last edited by stevegray04; Jan 6, 2014 at 10:02 AM.
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 235
From: North Carolina
I am considering installing these same lights, so I will be interested in how this problem is solved. George told me by PM some weeks ago that I would not have to modify the brackets by cutting down the ribs. I have an 04 and I did not realize that the brackets may be different beginning in 99 (pre-99 cars do not have the ribs?)
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 419
Likes: 39
From: Helena Alabama
I installed the Bi-Xeon projector lights from RadioFlyer about three months ago.All I had to do was make minor aiming adjustments. the lights are awesome on low and high beams. I did not have to modify anything on my 03 vert.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 764
Likes: 19
From: odessa FL
If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't have done this. Still don't have them sorted out, and WAY too much money for the lighting improvement.
Powertech and I have both been tearing hair out trying to sort it out.
The Bixenons still not switching over and the high beams aim at the trees. Good for hunting coons...but driving? Not so much.
Also: the HID fogs seem awfully dim for HIDs
Powertech and I have both been tearing hair out trying to sort it out.
The Bixenons still not switching over and the high beams aim at the trees. Good for hunting coons...but driving? Not so much.
Also: the HID fogs seem awfully dim for HIDs
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 271
Likes: 1
From: McHenry Illinois
St. Jude Donor '14
If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't have done this. Still don't have them sorted out, and WAY too much money for the lighting improvement.
Powertech and I have both been tearing hair out trying to sort it out.
The Bixenons still not switching over and the high beams aim at the trees. Good for hunting coons...but driving? Not so much.
Also: the HID fogs seem awfully dim for HIDs
Powertech and I have both been tearing hair out trying to sort it out.
The Bixenons still not switching over and the high beams aim at the trees. Good for hunting coons...but driving? Not so much.
Also: the HID fogs seem awfully dim for HIDs
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 764
Likes: 19
From: odessa FL
No, Powertech Performance in St Pete did the install. Radio flyer did the Bixenon conversion on the ACAs and supplied the HID fogs.
Problems as above...Bixenons same on low and high and the high beam [inner lights] way high
Problems as above...Bixenons same on low and high and the high beam [inner lights] way high
Last edited by StatmanRN; Jan 8, 2014 at 01:36 PM. Reason: adl info
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 419
Likes: 39
From: Helena Alabama
Contact George at RadioFlyer. When I installed mine they went back as easy as the OEM lights with very minor aiming adjustments needed. In fact, the left light needed to be raised up. I too have the harness that allows the low and high beams to be on at the same time. The low beams are really great and the high beams are super bright. Something is not right. Like others said, George will make it right. These lights are awesome when properly adjusted. I have never had any one coming towards me flash their bright lights at me either. Light I said in my other post, I put these in my 2003 convertible and no modification was needed. Once the problem is corrected you will love these lights. Pat
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 271
Likes: 1
From: McHenry Illinois
St. Jude Donor '14
This is the first time I've heard of a problem with anything George sells. As Pat said above, call him at Radioflyer and he will help you and your installer solve the problem.
I also recommend the harness that keeps the hi and low beams on together. When you turn on the high beams and the low beams go off, the high beam ballasts don't fire right away and you will have a delay of several seconds without enough light. This harness is well worth the small additional expense. The installation takes about 15 minutes and everything goes into the fuse box next to the battery.
I also recommend the harness that keeps the hi and low beams on together. When you turn on the high beams and the low beams go off, the high beam ballasts don't fire right away and you will have a delay of several seconds without enough light. This harness is well worth the small additional expense. The installation takes about 15 minutes and everything goes into the fuse box next to the battery.
Last edited by stevegray04; Jan 8, 2014 at 06:53 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 750
Likes: 40
From: Deltona Florida
Just finished baseline zero...
Just did a 24 inch top of beam adjustment on a concrete wall from about 3 feet away......zeroed the HID fog lights too to coincide with the low beams....
Driving home the low beams do a great job, but may have them too high, as when I turned on the high beams they seemed way up in the air, and did not have as much on the street brighness as I think I need....
So....will go back out and try a 22 inch height adjustment to see if I can get more positive light on the street like I want and need.....and bring those low beams closer to the front of the car...
Will re-post when I am satisfied...
Ninja
Driving home the low beams do a great job, but may have them too high, as when I turned on the high beams they seemed way up in the air, and did not have as much on the street brighness as I think I need....
So....will go back out and try a 22 inch height adjustment to see if I can get more positive light on the street like I want and need.....and bring those low beams closer to the front of the car...
Will re-post when I am satisfied...
Ninja
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
Likes: 47
From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
If the bulbs are not seated right the lows will point to the ground, I had this issue when I first installed my aca housings, After I got the bulbs installed correctly the highs and lows were great.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 115
From: Odessa FL
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't have done this. Still don't have them sorted out, and WAY too much money for the lighting improvement.
Powertech and I have both been tearing hair out trying to sort it out.
The Bixenons still not switching over and the high beams aim at the trees. Good for hunting coons...but driving? Not so much.
Also: the HID fogs seem awfully dim for HIDs
Powertech and I have both been tearing hair out trying to sort it out.
The Bixenons still not switching over and the high beams aim at the trees. Good for hunting coons...but driving? Not so much.
Also: the HID fogs seem awfully dim for HIDs
Last edited by alxltd1; Jan 8, 2014 at 08:06 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 419
Likes: 39
From: Helena Alabama
Just did a 24 inch top of beam adjustment on a concrete wall from about 3 feet away......zeroed the HID fog lights too to coincide with the low beams....
Driving home the low beams do a great job, but may have them too high, as when I turned on the high beams they seemed way up in the air, and did not have as much on the street brighness as I think I need....
So....will go back out and try a 22 inch height adjustment to see if I can get more positive light on the street like I want and need.....and bring those low beams closer to the front of the car...
Will re-post when I am satisfied...
Ninja
Driving home the low beams do a great job, but may have them too high, as when I turned on the high beams they seemed way up in the air, and did not have as much on the street brighness as I think I need....
So....will go back out and try a 22 inch height adjustment to see if I can get more positive light on the street like I want and need.....and bring those low beams closer to the front of the car...
Will re-post when I am satisfied...
Ninja