changing car headli...
 

[Closed] changing car headlight bulbs?

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Is their a correct orientation for the bulb seeing as it has 3 tabs on it? Beam pattern on mine is now shite


 
Posted : 12/12/2011 5:32 pm
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Two tabs are the same width, the third isn't.


 
Posted : 12/12/2011 5:33 pm
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They will only fit (properly) one way


 
Posted : 12/12/2011 5:37 pm
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really? the tabs on mine seem the same, do they have locator holes? had to do it by "feel"


 
Posted : 12/12/2011 5:52 pm
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They aren't evenly spaced so should only go one way. Possibly it isn't fully located.
[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 12/12/2011 6:08 pm
 Drac
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If you've been a bit ham fisted it's possible you moved the headlight adjustment.


 
Posted : 12/12/2011 6:11 pm
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hmm maybe i am expecting too much 🙁 The tabs are fine and located, maybe i am looking at the beam too closely when i have not done it before?


 
Posted : 12/12/2011 6:56 pm
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The handbook always recommends having the alignment redone after changing a bulb. Since starting to drive around 1977 I've never bothered, and never had problems, even on the Puma, which required the entire headlight unit to be removed from the car, an unbelievable phaff that was described as a roadside repair! It took around twenty to thirty minutes to change, for gawd's sake. Takes about two minutes on the Octi.


 
Posted : 12/12/2011 7:11 pm
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Remember no touchy bulbs with fingers, grease of skin boils on glass and pops bulbs. Clean with solvent etc


 
Posted : 12/12/2011 8:36 pm
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Did you just buy cheapo bulbs or decent ones ? (osram nightbreaker etc)

If you bought cheap, and had decent ones in before, there will be a massive difference.


 
Posted : 12/12/2011 8:39 pm
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£15 each from halfords - xenon


 
Posted : 12/12/2011 8:40 pm
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Never used those, but at that price they [I]should[/I] be good really.

I always use Osram Nightbreaker+ off eBay at about £20 a pair for H4's And they outshine anything else I have used for similar money.


 
Posted : 12/12/2011 8:44 pm