Very dim headlights

[KLenart]

I did a lot of searching on this topic, but it doesn't seem like it's a common issue. I just purchased a 2007 SE V6 but the headlights are very very dim. I thought it was the bulbs so I replaced them. Still the same. The lens itself isn't new, but it's not bad. When I turn the lights on and take the bulb out, it's bright and normal. I'm guessing it's something with the halogen or the interior of the socket? Should I take the headlights off and clean the inside of the projectors? Not familiar with this yet. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

[GT-R]

Do you have a pic of it shining to a wall? Projector headlights look dimmer when you look at it from an angle.

[KLenart]

Originally Posted by GT-R

Do you have a pic of it shining to a wall? Projector headlights look dimmer when you look at it from an angle.

I don't have a pic, but they're dim. At night I can't see in front of me. Previous owner must have been messing around with them or something.

[aznlunatic206]

please try to take a pic and post it. In reality you should be able to drive at night without headlights since you have streets light everywhere (atleast where i live). So you mean like you cant see the beam of light infront of you? or like no street signs reflecting back at you?

[jonez]

Originally Posted by aznlunatic206

please try to take a pic and post it. In reality you should be able to drive at night without headlights since you have streets light everywhere (atleast where i live). So you mean like you cant see the beam of light infront of you? or like no street signs reflecting back at you?

He's from central CT, there aren't many street lights whenever i've gone to central CT

Do the wires going into the headlight sockets look like they've been messed with in any way?

When I turn the lights on and take the bulb out, it's bright and normal

Could you explain this statement a little more, maybe i'm being thick but I don't understand it. What bulb are you taking out? when you take this bulb out, the projector low-beam headlights are fine?

[Mag Grey Toy]

yeah a picture would def help lol
once u get that we can see whats wrong

[GT-R]

Maybe the previous owner was trying to do a retro and failed.

[arabianobsession]

I had this issue in my 95 Mustang. It turned out, someone messed with the entire lens and re-installed it kinda crooked, so it was pointing towards the ground instead in front.

[BlackCam09]

Try examining the headlights by removing them, and look into the hole where the bulbs go to see how the inside looks and if anything is damaged. Maybe someone had a hidkit installed and it melted the inside bowls of the projectors, who knows.. Also are the headlights clear or are they hazel up?

[njerald]

My guess is there is no problem to be found.....it's the OP owner.

[rtagn]

Originally Posted by jonez

Could you explain this statement a little more, maybe i'm being thick but I don't understand it. What bulb are you taking out? when you take this bulb out, the projector low-beam headlights are fine?

I'm pretty sure he meant that he turned on his headlights while the H-11's were in the socket and removed them out of the socket while they were on to check the brightness. He says he sees a difference from when it was being projected and when he took it out.

In other words, it may be the projector, but don't clean the insides, its may ruin the projector. I would say its either the lens, or the bulb. If its the projector, it may be the lens projector that is dirty, that you can clean. If anything else it may be the projector reflectors are burnt which I doubt because he would have to be running high temp bulbs in there to burn the reflectors.

Those are my 2 cents.

[badbadtz560]

goin w/ rtagn's - maybe someone used HIDs in'em and killed the chrome or high wattage halogens. can't tell anythign w/o some pics tho

[KLenart]

Originally Posted by BlackCam09

Try examining the headlights by removing them, and look into the hole where the bulbs go to see how the inside looks and if anything is damaged. Maybe someone had a hidkit installed and it melted the inside bowls of the projectors, who knows.. Also are the headlights clear or are they hazel up?

Originally Posted by badbadtz560

goin w/ rtagn's - maybe someone used HIDs in'em and killed the chrome or high wattage halogens. can't tell anythign w/o some pics tho

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm almost 100% sure that somone had hids installed because the piece where the bulbs latches in and turns is burnt. So i'm guessing the inside of the halogens is melted or maybe just dirty? Can anything be done or am I looking at a used set of headlights?

Thanks

[BlackCam09]

Originally Posted by KLenart

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm almost 100% sure that somone had hids installed because the piece where the bulbs latches in and turns is burnt. So i'm guessing the inside of the halogens is melted or maybe just dirty? Can anything be done or am I looking at a used set of headlights?

Thanks

probably better off just purchasing a set of new/used headlights off ebay.

[Tech1984]

I used to read here about doing the conversion over to HID's, and "you must remove the squirrel spotters"<?> , or you'll be blinding people.
So whatever that is, could this be his whole problem?