Aligning my headlights

I've never done this procedure before, but it seems that there are THREE alignment posts. A tiny one, and two larger ones.

My left headlight seems to have the beam aimed directly at the ground, but my right seems fine. Taking a closer look, I noticed that the left headlight's inside looked like a broken mirror, while the right side is fine.

Is the "broken mirror effect" causing my headlight to have a problem, or should it still be similar to the right side? Can this be fixed by aligning the bulbs?

Also, what does each alignment post do? If there's already a thread on this, then please direct me. The search function didn't really lead me to an acceptable answer.

The procedure is in the FSM and may be mentioned in the Owners Manual as well, Although I can't be sure about the Owner's Manual.
I don't have either here at the moment, but your FSM has the best info.
When you say your left Headlight looks like a broken mirror on the inside and the right side does not, tells me there is something wrong with the internal reflector on the left one and you'll probably have to replace it to get the headlight beam to shine properly on the road.
I've never had to adjust mine as they don't go out of adjustment on there own.
The only thing's I can think of that would affect the light trajectory would be the lens itself being bad or you have lifted the rear if the car higher than the spec's call out for and that will cause the beam to be pointing too low.

If your lens is broken, I'd try replacing it without adjusting the alignment settings (if you can). Maybe it will be close to correct alignment when the new lens is installed.

you can do an online search for the procedure or you can,i think,park 10 feet from a wall on level ground and put tape at roughly the same height as the headlights and adjust the headlights to the tape level.play around with the adjustments too so you can see what the "A tiny one, and two larger ones." do. aiming the headlights on the riv is a snap.they have that built in level that makes it super easy.and adjusting the "sweep" is easy too.

robotennis61 wrote:

you can do an online search for the procedure or you can,i think,park 10 feet from a wall on level ground and put tape at roughly the same height as the headlights and adjust the headlights to the tape level.play around with the adjustments too so you can see what the "A tiny one, and two larger ones." do. aiming the headlights on the riv is a snap.they have that built in level that makes it super easy.and adjusting the "sweep" is easy too.

Except for when the bubbles apparently leak and dry up. Both my headlight bubble levels are nothing but decorations now.

dat sux

Thanks for all the replies, fellas!

I'm thinking the damaged internal reflector is what's causing it not to work properly. How much is a replacement one of these? Do I have to replace the entire headlight assembly?

I'm going to mess around some more with adjusting the headlights, but my "leveling bubbles" are also dried up as well.

I discovered that you can buy Silverstar Ultras on eBay for just about half price, so I ordered some, then realized that my left headlight is basically useless right now. Luckily one bulb does the job, but I still would like both to give me some nice visibility. The high-beams are both perfect, though.

Buapo wrote:

Thanks for all the replies, fellas!

I'm thinking the damaged internal reflector is what's causing it not to work properly. How much is a replacement one of these? Do I have to replace the entire headlight assembly?

I'm going to mess around some more with adjusting the headlights, but my "leveling bubbles" are also dried up as well.

I discovered that you can buy Silverstar Ultras on eBay for just about half price, so I ordered some, then realized that my left headlight is basically useless right now. Luckily one bulb does the job, but I still would like both to give me some nice visibility. The high-beams are both perfect, though.

damaged reflector = get a good used headlight form Morad or elsewhere. Headlights are $$$ new.

Albertj

So Ben, you've come crawling back...

Anyway, the 2 large adjusters are the ones that actually move the headlamp unit.
The 'tiny' one is the factory calibration of the bubble-levelers... which dry up on us anyway.

As far as replacing the unit if the internals are indeed messed up, you may well want to try a wrecking yard, since they don't have the same crappy plastic lenses that the cornering lights do. I paid about $150 for a new OEM assy before GM started discontinuing parts at the 10-year mark... Also, as far as bulbs, you may want to look at the chart I made in the same writeup where I replaced my driver's side headlamp assy:
Link


(PS - As long as you're logging back in, how about reading my reply to your last PM that I sent you... )

I'll try Morads and see if I can get a nice used headlight assembly.

Eldo - just read your headlamp study... wow! No wonder my headlamps keep burning out. I think after this set of Silverstars go, I'm going to try your Philips brand for sure.

And... I think I'll read and reply to your PM now. Sorry about that!