Blurry Headlamp Aim

Gaz VTS Council member Posts: 2,157 Class tested: 4, 7 Last Online: Sept 7, 2019 10:16:48 GMT 1 Likes: 738	Blurry Headlamp Aim Apr 10, 2014 20:09:08 GMT 1 via mobile Back to Top Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Gaz on Apr 10, 2014 20:09:08 GMT 1 Where do you draw the line? I've have three cars the past two days with terrible blurry aims due to the outer plastic. I've tried taking pictures to illustrate the issue but it doesn't look like real life.
	Specialising in repairing & rebuilding Vauxhall 6 speed gearboxes www.m32guy.co.uk - info@m32guy.co.uk

nitros44
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Blurry Headlamp Aim Apr 10, 2014 21:13:02 GMT 1 via mobile Gaz likes this

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Post by nitros44 on Apr 10, 2014 21:13:02 GMT 1

If its bad enough to effect the beam aim to the extent no pattern can be seen I will fail them.

If I can make out the slightest image on the tester its normally a pass and advise for me, as long as the output has not been seriously reduced

Vehicles with the plastic type lens such as the micras and others are renowned for going cloudy.
If the lens is that bad it effects the beam image,or output!! a good tip if the presenter won't buy new lamps or lens"s is to use a bit of T Cut which tends to do the trick 99% of the time

I might not be the best,but i was always in the top one

Gaz
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Blurry Headlamp Aim Apr 10, 2014 22:45:23 GMT 1 via mobile

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Post by Gaz on Apr 10, 2014 22:45:23 GMT 1

Apr 10, 2014 21:13:02 GMT 1 nitros44 said:

If I can make out the slightest image on the tester its normally a pass and advise for me

That's what I've been doing but always wondered about all the vague light that's above the cut off line. I even had a sabb today that I had to wiggle the back of the bulb holder so I could initially see the image.

Apr 10, 2014 21:13:02 GMT 1 nitros44 said:

a good tip if the presenter won't buy new lamps or lens"s is to use a bit of T Cut which tends to do the trick 99% of the time

That's a great tip! I will advise that next time one comes in. We've got a big tub of it lying about.

There's a restore kit our local factors do for headlamps. We ordered It for a car I failed yesterday. Due in tomorow will see how that goes.

Specialising in repairing & rebuilding Vauxhall 6 speed gearboxes
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aylesburyjock Administrator Posts: 2,773 Class tested: 4, 7 Last Online: May 6, 2024 21:55:49 GMT 1 Likes: 1,867	Blurry Headlamp Aim Apr 10, 2014 23:01:23 GMT 1 Back to Top Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by aylesburyjock on Apr 10, 2014 23:01:23 GMT 1 Arm and Hammer toothpaste is also a good remedy

pete Administrator VTS Council member Freelance Tester Business owner Posts: 2,235 Class tested: 3, 4, 5L, 7 Last Online: May 6, 2024 22:16:47 GMT 1 Likes: 668	Blurry Headlamp Aim Apr 11, 2014 5:57:44 GMT 1 Back to Top Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by pete on Apr 11, 2014 5:57:44 GMT 1 I use G3 compound, that works well too.

phaetonott
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Blurry Headlamp Aim Apr 12, 2014 2:57:36 GMT 1

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Post by phaetonott on Apr 12, 2014 2:57:36 GMT 1

Halfords do a kit you can fit in a power drill. Never tried it, we just sell them new lights.

As for how bad it has to be, Can I adjust the headlamp? is the cut-off obvious enough for me to say the headlamp is aimed correctly? if no, then fail it

or a quick assessment of where the aim is a wipe with wd40 will sometimes show you but it only lasts a few minutes.

What with cloudy lenses and badly fitted bulbs, my lighting failures have gone through the roof recently

Simon

I am never right but at least I am trying

mercedes VTS Council member Posts: 1,200 Class tested: 4 Last Online: May 6, 2024 14:12:11 GMT 1 Likes: 464	Blurry Headlamp Aim Apr 12, 2014 17:47:42 GMT 1 Back to Top Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by mercedes on Apr 12, 2014 17:47:42 GMT 1 i use t cut i works i have tried these kits i find there are not value good for money t cut has uthere use dirty finger prints on paint work etc

mick1960
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Blurry Headlamp Aim Apr 13, 2014 15:34:06 GMT 1

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Post by mick1960 on Apr 13, 2014 15:34:06 GMT 1

Test as presented if it goes to appeal and the owner/presenter says "well he used WD40 then polished it with T Cut and still failed it" you will be asked to point out where it says to do this in the manual... incorrect test methods
Fail it THEN offer the options to see how it goes.
I failed a Toyota celica for no image and advised T Cut, three days later it came back in and the lad said it nearly killed him polishing the head lights for hours, BUT he did admit he could now see where he was going and it was a 100 times better and a perfect image.

By all means be helpful and use your years of experience but follow the rules..no one will thank you if you don't

Gaz VTS Council member Posts: 2,157 Class tested: 4, 7 Last Online: Sept 7, 2019 10:16:48 GMT 1 Likes: 738	Blurry Headlamp Aim Apr 13, 2014 21:25:09 GMT 1 via mobile Back to Top Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Gaz on Apr 13, 2014 21:25:09 GMT 1 I wouldn't be polishing any headlamps during an MOT. I don't think anyone on here would suggest that you should.
	Specialising in repairing & rebuilding Vauxhall 6 speed gearboxes www.m32guy.co.uk - info@m32guy.co.uk

phaetonott
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Blurry Headlamp Aim Apr 13, 2014 23:46:26 GMT 1

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Post by phaetonott on Apr 13, 2014 23:46:26 GMT 1

I mentioned WD40, but not that I would use it in a test. I fail the car and take the failure out to reception. reception come back to me, usually half way through the next test and say "does it need a new lamp then" I say "No idea, I fail 'em, you get the techs to fix 'em, if it's not fixed at retest, i'll fail it again". Next stupid question "So it's not just the bulb fitted wrongly" "No idea, but you will see I have advised cloudy headlamps"
So as soon as I can I get the car back in, puff it with WD and if the pattern improves the bulb is fitted OK. Then they can give the guy options, 1, We fit new lights, 2, he buys his own lights and fits them himself, 3, He cleans the lights. We do not offer the clean-up, we have to Guarantee all our work, we do not say we'll give it a try, only to have the guy come back three months later expecting another polish under warranty. We don't fit second-hand eBay parts either

Last Edit: Apr 13, 2014 23:52:08 GMT 1 by baz657 -

Simon

I am never right but at least I am trying

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Post by Gaz on Apr 10, 2014 20:09:08 GMT 1

Post by nitros44 on Apr 10, 2014 21:13:02 GMT 1

Post by Gaz on Apr 10, 2014 22:45:23 GMT 1

Post by aylesburyjock on Apr 10, 2014 23:01:23 GMT 1

Post by pete on Apr 11, 2014 5:57:44 GMT 1

Post by phaetonott on Apr 12, 2014 2:57:36 GMT 1

Post by mercedes on Apr 12, 2014 17:47:42 GMT 1

Post by mick1960 on Apr 13, 2014 15:34:06 GMT 1

Post by Gaz on Apr 13, 2014 21:25:09 GMT 1

Post by phaetonott on Apr 13, 2014 23:46:26 GMT 1