CL Headlights going dim

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-09-2006, 10:32 PM
  #1  
8th Gear
Thread Starter
 
huntingmark409's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Age: 69
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Question CL Headlights going dim

My '97 Acura CL (2.2)l has a headlight problem. The headlights don't put out much light (or my eyes are going bad). I can drive on the interstate with the brights on and I rarely get flashed to dim my lights. I bought new bulbs (low beam) at O'Reilly's, but the new bulbs don't seem to help. Any suggestions? New headlights are high dollar items, but maybe this is the only fix for the problem. Thanks, Mark
Old 09-10-2006, 07:50 AM
  #2  
Drifting
 
TexasHonda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Age: 78
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 0
Received 128 Likes on 123 Posts
I doubt your alternator output is too low or you would be having starting problems, however check the voltage w/ the engine idling and headlights ON. You should get at least 12.5-13V at the battery.

Perhaps the lens are fogged w/ age. This happens due to UV and chemical exposure. Do a search for lens cleaning. Some have had good luck w/ polish to remove the haze and yellowing.

Make sure your lights are correctly aimed. If you place the car on a very level surface, you can use the vertical bubble indicators and horizontal alignment mechanisms built into the lens to align the lights. There is a lock screw on the horizontal adjuster to be removed before changing alignment and replaced after.

good luck
Old 09-11-2006, 06:15 PM
  #3  
Instructor
 
ingsoc747's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Age: 42
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
have they always been this way or is this a recent development? my stocks also seemed a bit dim until i replaced them

if so, i recommend the SilverStars bulbs. Pricey but they are pretty damn bright
Old 09-12-2006, 09:25 PM
  #4  
8th Gear
Thread Starter
 
huntingmark409's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Age: 69
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Headlights always dim

My headlights have always been dim. I suspect some damage to the right headlight bezel. I can level the low-beam side, but the high-beam points too high. If I level the high-beam, vice-versa. I have leveled the low-beam for now.

The lens do not seem foggy, but I swear these are the dimmest lights I have ever had. I'm thinking about trying a junkyard for a new bezel. Any thoughts?

Thanks
Old 09-13-2006, 01:19 AM
  #5  
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (1)
 
asianspec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Photography Forum.
Posts: 25,343
Received 1,098 Likes on 832 Posts
try cleaning your connections

Old 09-14-2006, 01:05 PM
  #6  
8th Gear
Thread Starter
 
huntingmark409's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Age: 69
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you

Thanks so much. I will give it a try and report back.
Old 09-20-2006, 06:27 PM
  #7  
7th Gear
 
Krystle941's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i agree. try to clean your headlights. i did this and it was 100 times better.
Old 09-25-2006, 12:29 AM
  #8  
10th Gear
 
datafstudblu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Houston, TX
Age: 38
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
my 99 had the same problem. i switch to alot of different headlights. but i just bought the Silverstar Headlights at wal mart and it made a big difference.
Old 10-12-2006, 09:34 AM
  #9  
Cruisin'
 
gtflash's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Hollis, NY
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Silverstars are too much $$ for their worth. I had Silverstars for a year, about every 3 months I was back to get them replaced, b/c they kept blowing. I only kept them that long because the warranty is for a year. I got phillips extreme crystals now, been good for about 6 months. The light output is about the same. However, everyone on here talks about nokya arctic's being the best, I know you can find 'em on eBay.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
hashbrown
4G TL (2009-2014)
37
02-18-2022 11:20 AM
rp_guy
Member Cars for Sale
9
07-16-2017 07:33 AM
soupi
2G TSX Audio, Bluetooth, Electronics & Navigation
14
11-15-2015 11:15 AM
Mr.Tea
2G RL (2005-2012)
15
10-02-2015 10:32 PM



Quick Reply: CL Headlights going dim



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:00 PM.