Short throw in low beam

Samurai · 2nd May 2005, 11:36

After getting my new Baleno I had replaced the front headlamps into 90/100 watt. Didn't have any problems with the light throw at low beam, it was atleast 120ft. After a long drive to my native town, I noticed that the light throw had reduced considerably. Now it illimunates only 30-40 ft or so, it is absolutely dark after that. I always drive in low beam, now this problem forced me to travel in high beam yeaterday, that too on NH-17 and I was getting all kind of headlight signals from the oncoming vehicles.

What could cause this problem, I checked the lights once I reached home. The lights are working in both low-beam and high-beam mode. How could the low beam suddenly decide to lower it's range?

z klasse · 2nd May 2005, 11:53

The reflectors probably dull out when new. Original Bulbs are 55w if im not mistaken and if you put a higher rating when the reflectors are new then they do get affected. Typically after a considerable period of use, say around 100 hrs plus of 55 w bulbs they recommend to change if at all required. That also affects reflectors but not that much when they are new. So if you want then use the regular bulbs for a while and after a few months change to the 90w bulbs.

Z

Revvhead · 2nd May 2005, 11:53

Umm Samurai, i dont mean to sound condescending,
But you have not mentioned as to if you have used the headlight beam adjuster control
for your info on the baleno there is a setting by which you can change the level of throw,
Its on a small roller wheel, placed next to the (on the right) switch for the sidewiev mirror adjustment, its numbered till 4, and you can have a large adjustment range.
Check that, i think zero is the longest throw. Should fix yr prob immediately
(that is in case you have missed on that switch)

Samurai · 2nd May 2005, 12:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revvhead

Umm Samurai, i dont mean to sound condescending,
But you have not mentioned as to if you have used the headlight beam adjuster control
for your info on the baleno there is a setting by which you can change the level of throw,
Its on a small roller wheel, placed next to the (on the right) switch for the sidewiev mirror adjustment, its numbered till 4, and you can have a large adjustment range.

Holy cow! You nailed it. Thanks dude. BTW, why is that condescending

I saw my son messing around some dial on the dash board. I thought it changes the dash light intensity. I still haven't spent any time reading the manual.

After driving too many cars one tends to stop reading car manuals or trying to understand each control. And this is my eighth car and I have probably driven more than 50 different cars. Still I think I should spend some time reading the manuals for the cars I do own.

Revvhead · 2nd May 2005, 12:21

Hey no prob Samurai,
glad to be of help.
The beam adjuster nis just a lovely toy & damn helpful

iceman91 · 2nd May 2005, 15:19

sorry samurai i think i am to blame for it too...did not set it that day when you came to collect the car. should heve explained it to you!!!

Samurai · 2nd May 2005, 15:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman91

sorry samurai i think i am to blame for it too...did not set it that day when you came to collect the car. should heve explained it to you!!!

No iceman, I don't think so. I had driven at night in Bangalore after that, didn't have that problem. Example, driving back from the TGIF party. This mess up happened after that. Therefore I absolve you completely

.

iceman91 · 2nd May 2005, 15:29

thanks!!! thats a nice function pity the older balenos dint come with it.

Jaggu · 2nd May 2005, 16:20

brings a question to mind, hwo many of us religiously read the owners manual... i love reading it inside out...

best ever read merc e class :P wonder how big the S class will be

iceman91 · 3rd May 2005, 10:58

haha jaggu imagine reading psycho's conti manual!!!

p.s. sorry psycho could not stop that

Stratos · 3rd May 2005, 11:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaggu

best ever read merc e class :P wonder how big the S class will be

TopGear said the manual for the S Class is nearly 1000 Pages

Btw.. I have read my Indicas` and Indigos` manual inside out!

johnda · 6th October 2008, 16:33

My OHC has a very short throw on the low beam and the High beam will Blind and maybe even kill

all on coming traffic.
Want to know if there is a way to sort this out.

SLK · 6th October 2008, 22:31

Assuming you don't have that 1-2-3 level adjuster thing in your OHC.... there is normally a manual adjustment option available in the headlights. Its like a screw either on the headlight or besides it.
Just look for it... or try searching in the manual.

Then all you need to do is.. tighten or loosen it with a screw driver and you can change the level of the low beam.

Park the car in front of a wall so that you can see the level.

If your car has had any kind of frontal accident/impact... this adjustment might not be able to raise the level enough for you.

johnda · 6th October 2008, 23:02

Thank you SLK, i'm gonna try this, i hope i do it right?

iraghava · 6th October 2008, 23:47

It has to be manually adjusted, no model of the OHC ever had the in-cabin adjusters.

2nd May 2005, 11:36	#1
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 25,828 Thanked: 45,521 Times View My Garage	Short throw in low beam After getting my new Baleno I had replaced the front headlamps into 90/100 watt. Didn't have any problems with the light throw at low beam, it was atleast 120ft. After a long drive to my native town, I noticed that the light throw had reduced considerably. Now it illimunates only 30-40 ft or so, it is absolutely dark after that. I always drive in low beam, now this problem forced me to travel in high beam yeaterday, that too on NH-17 and I was getting all kind of headlight signals from the oncoming vehicles. What could cause this problem, I checked the lights once I reached home. The lights are working in both low-beam and high-beam mode. How could the low beam suddenly decide to lower it's range?
	() Thanks

2nd May 2005, 11:53	#2
z klasse BHPian Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 351 Thanked: 28 Times View My Garage	The reflectors probably dull out when new. Original Bulbs are 55w if im not mistaken and if you put a higher rating when the reflectors are new then they do get affected. Typically after a considerable period of use, say around 100 hrs plus of 55 w bulbs they recommend to change if at all required. That also affects reflectors but not that much when they are new. So if you want then use the regular bulbs for a while and after a few months change to the 90w bulbs. Z
	() Thanks

2nd May 2005, 11:53	#3
Revvhead BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bombay Posts: 450 Thanked: 20 Times View My Garage	Umm Samurai, i dont mean to sound condescending, But you have not mentioned as to if you have used the headlight beam adjuster control for your info on the baleno there is a setting by which you can change the level of throw, Its on a small roller wheel, placed next to the (on the right) switch for the sidewiev mirror adjustment, its numbered till 4, and you can have a large adjustment range. Check that, i think zero is the longest throw. Should fix yr prob immediately (that is in case you have missed on that switch)
	() Thanks

2nd May 2005, 12:21	#5
Revvhead BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bombay Posts: 450 Thanked: 20 Times View My Garage	Hey no prob Samurai, glad to be of help. The beam adjuster nis just a lovely toy & damn helpful
	() Thanks

2nd May 2005, 15:19	#6
iceman91 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: melbourne/banga Posts: 1,961 Thanked: 34 Times View My Garage	sorry samurai i think i am to blame for it too...did not set it that day when you came to collect the car. should heve explained it to you!!!
	() Thanks

2nd May 2005, 15:29	#8
iceman91 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: melbourne/banga Posts: 1,961 Thanked: 34 Times View My Garage	thanks!!! thats a nice function pity the older balenos dint come with it.
	() Thanks

2nd May 2005, 16:20	#9
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,215 Thanked: 15,906 Times	brings a question to mind, hwo many of us religiously read the owners manual... i love reading it inside out... best ever read merc e class :P wonder how big the S class will be
	() Thanks

3rd May 2005, 10:58	#10
iceman91 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: melbourne/banga Posts: 1,961 Thanked: 34 Times View My Garage	haha jaggu imagine reading psycho's conti manual!!! p.s. sorry psycho could not stop that
	() Thanks

6th October 2008, 16:33	#12
johnda BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Tvla Posts: 394 Thanked: 19 Times View My Garage	OHC low beam My OHC has a very short throw on the low beam and the High beam will Blind and maybe even kill all on coming traffic. Want to know if there is a way to sort this out.
	() Thanks

6th October 2008, 22:31	#13
SLK Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: DL XX XX XXXX Posts: 1,634 Thanked: 1,011 Times	Assuming you don't have that 1-2-3 level adjuster thing in your OHC.... there is normally a manual adjustment option available in the headlights. Its like a screw either on the headlight or besides it. Just look for it... or try searching in the manual. Then all you need to do is.. tighten or loosen it with a screw driver and you can change the level of the low beam. Park the car in front of a wall so that you can see the level. If your car has had any kind of frontal accident/impact... this adjustment might not be able to raise the level enough for you.
	() Thanks

6th October 2008, 23:02	#14
johnda BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Tvla Posts: 394 Thanked: 19 Times View My Garage	Thank you SLK, i'm gonna try this, i hope i do it right?
	() Thanks

6th October 2008, 23:47	#15
iraghava Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bhaiyyaland Posts: 8,033 Thanked: 265 Times View My Garage	It has to be manually adjusted, no model of the OHC ever had the in-cabin adjusters.
	() Thanks