Headlights problem

[8bit]

Hi all,

Was out driving out of town after dark tonight for the first time in my LCR and noticed a problem with the headlights. On main lights dipped they seem strong enough, just like they're angled down a little too much. They light up the road nicely but the beam seems to stop pretty much dead maybe 2 car lengths away. On full beam they seem fine, just not on dipped.

I'd really rather not go to the extent of installing HIDs despite what a lot of people on here think about them, I'd be happy to swap the current bulbs for something better (nightbreakers, blue vision etc.) but I'm not convinced it's the strength of the bulbs that's the problem, just like I said it's as if they're pointing too much towards the ground. Anyone got any idea? Is this a common thing?

Cheers
8

 

[BEOWULF]

stupid answer but u can adjust the head lights height by a switch where u turn them on

 

[8bit]

Ah - not stupid at all, i had meant to say i'd tried that but they're already set as high as it'll go.

 

[BEOWULF]

are they moving up r down
the lights on the leon are pants and a lot of people have gone to h.i.d's way

 

[8bit]

Not sure what you mean? They're on the "highest" setting right now, i.e. set so they extend the longest way down the road in front. If I adjust them the end of the beams seem to get closer. At the longest setting, the beam seems to extend about 2 car lengths ahead. Not cool when driving at 60 or 70mph out of town where there are no street lights.

As I said, it's not that they fade away a short distance from the car, they seem to stop dead so I don't think it's that the lights aren't strong enough. On full beam they seem pretty decent too (better than my old Fiat anyway). Hence why I don't want to go the lengths of fitting HIDs, particularly not if it's a legal grey-area.

 

[adam cupra 20vt]

There manually adjustable up/down left/right on the light itself.

 

[8bit]

Aha, ok - so most likely someone's replaced the bulbs and set them wrong?

 

[adam cupra 20vt]

Its more likely the headlight unit has been moved at some point or the bulb is in wrong.

 

[LEE69]

You can adjust them up on the headlight by rotating the white knurled knob, they may nee raising up?

 

[adam cupra 20vt]

You can adjust them up on the headlight by rotating the white knurled knob, they may nee raising up?

Yep and the one on other side does left/right

 

[8bit]

OK cool, i'll have a look this afternoon. Won't be able to tell if there's much difference til after dark tho Cheers, will see how that goes.

 

[LEE69]

Park it against a wall and watch them raise up, don't go mad or you might blind oncoming cars.

 

[SalSheikh]

take it to an mot place that is friendly and ask them to adjust it so its at the correct level/setting. they may charge you a litle fee but it might just be worth it!

 

[8bit]

take it to an mot place that is friendly and ask them to adjust it so its at the correct level/setting. they may charge you a litle fee but it might just be worth it!

Thing is, the dealer I bought the car from put it through its' MOT before I collected it so in theory at least it should be road legal. I guess road legal and safe are different things...

 

[adam cupra 20vt]

Maybe the bulbs not in right then...........or they didn't bother to check it.

 

[SalSheikh]

get it rechecked by them for free, complain and bag a freebee too!

 

[8bit]

Had a quick look this afternoon, found a white adjuster behind the driver's side headlamp but just the one that was obvious. Adam, when you say "the one on the other side" do you mean on the other headlamp? If so, which direction does the driver's side one adjust?

 

[adam cupra 20vt]

Had a quick look this afternoon, found a white adjuster behind the driver's side headlamp but just the one that was obvious. Adam, when you say "the one on the other side" do you mean on the other headlamp? If so, which direction does the driver's side one adjust?

No there are 2 adjusters on each light.

 

[8bit]

No there are 2 adjusters on each light.

OK well i could only see one on the driver's side one, I think for the passenger side I'll need to take a cover off or something? Also, the only one I could see on the drivers side was on the side furthest from the driver's side wing, is that the height one or the left/right one? Where is the other one?

Cheers for all the help so far

 

[adam cupra 20vt]

OK well i could only see one on the driver's side one, I think for the passenger side I'll need to take a cover off or something? Also, the only one I could see on the drivers side was on the side furthest from the driver's side wing, is that the height one or the left/right one? Where is the other one?

Cheers for all the help so far

I'm not sure to be honest, maybe its the same as the link above?

You could always try it and find out?