headlight question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 8, 2016 | 08:56 AM
  #1  
JJones91's Avatar
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 585
Likes: 90
headlight question

It appears as though my passenger headlight might be misaligned, looks like it might be pointed more towards the ground than the driver headlight. I've noticed for a while now in reflections that the passenger side isn't as bright as the driver side. Looking at them both head on at eye level it's obvious the driver side is brighter and when you look at the glare on the lens you can see that the glare is more center and the passenger side glare is lower on the lens. That being said, is this common for the headlight to become misaligned?
I can clearly tell at night that the passenger side doesn't illuminate the road as much as the driver side.
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2016 | 09:13 AM
  #2  
justnspace's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 86,293
Likes: 16,291
when did you get the RL?
have you done any work on the RL?
I really think the bulb isnt seated correctly...but without physically looking at the car, I cant be sure....
I dont know what yyear your car is, but something tells me that some one replaced the bulb and didnt seat it correctly...

there are notches in the bulbs base, it has to line up in the headlight housing, or else you get what you're getting
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2016 | 09:54 AM
  #3  
JJones91's Avatar
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 585
Likes: 90
Originally Posted by justnspace
when did you get the RL?
have you done any work on the RL?
I really think the bulb isnt seated correctly...but without physically looking at the car, I cant be sure....
I dont know what yyear your car is, but something tells me that some one replaced the bulb and didnt seat it correctly...

there are notches in the bulbs base, it has to line up in the headlight housing, or else you get what you're getting
I just bought the car this past month and it's an 05. iirc I thought I saw on the maitenance history report that a bulb had been replaced at some point
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2016 | 09:58 AM
  #4  
JJones91's Avatar
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 585
Likes: 90
Originally Posted by justnspace
when did you get the RL?
have you done any work on the RL?
I really think the bulb isnt seated correctly...but without physically looking at the car, I cant be sure....
I dont know what yyear your car is, but something tells me that some one replaced the bulb and didnt seat it correctly...

there are notches in the bulbs base, it has to line up in the headlight housing, or else you get what you're getting
6/5/2012 the bulbs were replaced at an Acura dealer
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2016 | 10:06 AM
  #5  
justnspace's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 86,293
Likes: 16,291
^there's a chance the dealership didnt install the bulb correctly and the previous owner has been driving like that for 3 years.

BUT, since I cant PHYSICALLY check, I cant be sure.

if you have tiny hands, you can reach through the wheel well and feel around for the bulb to see if it's seated correctly. you might have to pull the bulb out and re-install it.

if hand cannot reach through wheel well, front bumper needs to be dropped so that you can gain access behind headlight housing
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2016 | 10:13 AM
  #6  
Comfy's Avatar
2014 RDX AWD Tech
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 355
Can you post a picture of a wall shot from 25 feet distance showing the low beams. Thanks.
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2016 | 03:45 PM
  #7  
JJones91's Avatar
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 585
Likes: 90
Took it to Acura earlier and they said naturally the passenger side will be positioned lower to avoid blinding oncoming traffic
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2016 | 04:32 PM
  #8  
Carbon Legend's Avatar
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 808
Likes: 244
That Acura dealer is full of BS. Left hand drive cars the cutoff should be level at the steps. Headlights should be 1-1.5" lower than the center of the headlight.
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2016 | 08:02 PM
  #9  
oo7spy's Avatar
Senior Moderator
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 31,897
Likes: 7,251
From: Austin, TX
1st, take a picture at night in front of a wall on level ground. Not too close, not too far. Like Comfy said.

2nd, the passenger bulb can be accessed through the engine bay if the washer reservoir is removed. Shouldn't need the wheel well or bumper on that one.

3rd, the dealer blew smoke up your ass. Probably doesn't smell any better though.

4th, almost every car has a verticals adjustment screw on top of the assembly. Not positive about the RL however.
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2016 | 01:50 AM
  #10  
01acls's Avatar
Drifting
 
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,824
Likes: 483
From: NorCal
Vertical adjustment screw (Note the access hole).

Reply
Old Jan 9, 2016 | 07:41 AM
  #11  
justnspace's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 86,293
Likes: 16,291
LOL it's the drivers side that's lower to prevent blinding oncoming traffic


it should do a step! like this ______/--------------
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2016 | 12:21 PM
  #12  
oo7spy's Avatar
Senior Moderator
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 31,897
Likes: 7,251
From: Austin, TX
Wondering if the OP has JDM headlights with RHD cutoff...
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2016 | 05:11 PM
  #13  
JJones91's Avatar
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 585
Likes: 90
Looked at the housing earlier can definitely see that the passenger side is aimed down more.
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2016 | 01:06 PM
  #14  
JJones91's Avatar
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 585
Likes: 90

Originally Posted by Comfy
Can you post a picture of a wall shot from 25 feet distance showing the low beams. Thanks.


Here is a night shot sorry it's the best I could get
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2016 | 01:12 PM
  #15  
thoiboi's Avatar
Senior Moderator
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 48,298
Likes: 9,171
From: SoCal, CA
driver's side bulb looks like it has a severe hotspot... i think the bulb was installed incorrectly..
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2016 | 01:13 PM
  #16  
thoiboi's Avatar
Senior Moderator
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 48,298
Likes: 9,171
From: SoCal, CA
also a flat wall would help too
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2016 | 01:24 PM
  #17  
JJones91's Avatar
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 585
Likes: 90
Originally Posted by thoiboi
driver's side bulb looks like it has a severe hotspot... i think the bulb was installed incorrectly..
Oh really?? I thought maybe that's how bright it was suppose to be and the passenger side was too dim
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2016 | 02:02 PM
  #18  
schen72's Avatar
Three Wheelin'
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 169
From: San Jose, CA
Based on that picture, something is definitely wrong. My RL's lights are very evenly spread, with the normal slight step-down on the driver's side to avoid blinding oncoming traffic.
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2016 | 02:05 PM
  #19  
CommonSense's Avatar
BANNED = justnspace lol
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 12
Likes: 4
common sense says: light bulb is incorrectly installed
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2016 | 02:06 PM
  #20  
JJones91's Avatar
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 585
Likes: 90
Originally Posted by schen72
Based on that picture, something is definitely wrong. My RL's lights are very evenly spread, with the normal slight step-down on the driver's side to avoid blinding oncoming traffic.
Exactly and I have no idea which one is correct lol
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2016 | 02:08 PM
  #21  
thoiboi's Avatar
Senior Moderator
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 48,298
Likes: 9,171
From: SoCal, CA
get a better picture on a FLAT wall so we can help you.


Or just take it back to the dealer.
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2016 | 07:27 PM
  #22  
JJones91's Avatar
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 585
Likes: 90
It's going back to the dealer this Saturday to have 2 recalls done
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2016 | 09:30 PM
  #23  
oo7spy's Avatar
Senior Moderator
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 31,897
Likes: 7,251
From: Austin, TX
That was not level ground in front of a wall.

That appears to be a slope in front of a small incline of grass.
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2016 | 09:44 PM
  #24  
JJones91's Avatar
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 585
Likes: 90
Wasn't a slope just the angle I took the pic, was trying to take a pic from the middle in the driver seat
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2016 | 10:46 PM
  #25  
oo7spy's Avatar
Senior Moderator
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 31,897
Likes: 7,251
From: Austin, TX
No, the lights are pointing toward the ground. Either the ground is raised, or your headlights are both seriously fucked.

Here is an example of what we are looking for. Notice:
- Even distribution of light.
- Cutoff is level from the headlights and below the eyes of oncoming driver's.
- Step up from driver's side to passenger's side.
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2016 | 11:07 PM
  #26  
Comfy's Avatar
2014 RDX AWD Tech
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 355
Yes, exactly what we are looking for. That's a super cool and clean light. Is it retrofitted?
@ OP, if you can't find a level ground and flat vertical wall, go to the nearest supermarket / shopping mall at nightfall and take a picture from the parking area against the shop....
I dunno, but I can't seem to see the picture original posted by OP. Is it deleted or in some format unreadable by my computer?

Last edited by Comfy; Jan 12, 2016 at 11:12 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2016 | 11:41 PM
  #27  
JJones91's Avatar
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 585
Likes: 90
Originally Posted by oo7spy
No, the lights are pointing toward the ground. Either the ground is raised, or your headlights are both seriously fucked.

Here is an example of what we are looking for. Notice:
- Even distribution of light.
- Cutoff is level from the headlights and below the eyes of oncoming driver's.
- Step up from driver's side to passenger's side.
Wow mine look like garbage compared to this pic LOL probably doesn't help my headlights are oxidized too.
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2016 | 08:36 AM
  #28  
oo7spy's Avatar
Senior Moderator
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 31,897
Likes: 7,251
From: Austin, TX
I can still see the pic, Comfy. My picture was a retrofit. Going back to the OP's pic, I don't even see the passenger beam. The lights stops way too early on the right for it to be from the passenger projector.
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2016 | 07:01 PM
  #29  
JJones91's Avatar
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 585
Likes: 90
Well I managed to fix my issue. Turns out the passenger bulb wasn't positioned properly.

Pictures don't show much but here's a before..




and After, once I get the headlights cleaned up since they are oxidized pretty badly I'll get some new pics..
Name:  12557098_10154545970454741_410210397_o_zpsvtmvzje2.jpg
Views: 1719
Size:  57.5 KB
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2016 | 07:45 PM
  #30  
oo7spy's Avatar
Senior Moderator
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 31,897
Likes: 7,251
From: Austin, TX
Oh, it's a bush.


Reply
Old Jan 18, 2016 | 09:46 PM
  #31  
Comfy's Avatar
2014 RDX AWD Tech
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 355
That's cool. Glad everything is fixed well.
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2016 | 06:52 PM
  #32  
racerock's Avatar
Racer
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 381
Likes: 8
Originally Posted by oo7spy
Oh, it's a bush.


Trimmed bush.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
A4orce84
2G TSX (2009-2014)
12
Jan 10, 2016 11:20 AM
SpraykwoN
ILX
3
Jan 5, 2016 06:17 PM
MrBuggy
5G TLX (2015-2020)
5
Jan 5, 2016 05:06 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:51 PM.