[marabak]

Hi guys

I posted elsewhere on the forum about my issue where both dipped/lo-beam* bulbs blew at the same time in my petrol 2009 FD SE. I replaced both bulbs with Bosch ones, although I am not entirely sure at the moment of the exact model but I think it was these Bosch 477 H7 Car Bulbs x 2). As they both went at the same time and it is dark when I start/end work here, I had little choice in the type of bulb as I had to get them from Halfords. I fitted them myself by removing the headlamp assembly itself, which was a breeze to be honest (even for my definitely non-mechanical talents).

However, I'm not entirely happy with the outcome. To my eyes, I don't feel like the full headlamp assembly looks full of light when my headlights are on (not full/main beam, just normal). When I've looked at the car from outside, the two outer headlight portions look very distinct as circles and I can actually still make out the sidelights. The sidelights themselves actually look quite dull and yellow now, maybe because I am used to them or maybe they have genuinely reduced in output, I'm not sure. The circle containing the new headlight bulbs is really bright however, but doesn't seem to spread out and look like a full headlight from outside the car.

Additionally, when looking out in front of the car from the drivers seat, it appears that the drivers side light doesn't extend anywhere near as far out as the passenger sides, regardless of the height adjustment (which admittedly adjusts both at the same time so probably wouldn't change it).

I've tried taking photos, but they look fine and exactly what I want them to look like when I do. I did manage to get a very underexposed photo using my phone which kind of illustrates the point slightly. I can't access photohosting websites at work unfortunately, so I'll attach them later.


Am I just being a eejit and looking at something that has always been like that, but I've only just now noticed. Is there anything I could have altered by accident when fitting the bulbs. The headlight assemblies look like they went back in ok when I fitted the new bulbs. Could my sidelights just be on their way out and they usual fill up the rest of the light? Put me out of my misery please



*I'm not sure of the terminology and how it varies over the world. I call my lights sidelights (one click of the lights), headlights (two clicks and green icon) and full-beam (push away and blue icon). I am aware that different locations may call them differently.

[Dazzler]

Hi marabak,

We usually call them low beam more than side lights... 

I'm wondering if the globes didn't seat properly in the housing when you replaced them?  A bit skew-wiff so to speak?

[cruiserfied]

I agree with Dazzlers assumption, although a bit harder to stuff it up with the whole light out of vehicle.

You definately wanna get the aim adjusted as well, it will have moved.

[marabak]

Cheers for the replies. I had a lot of trouble accessing the site last night (and have done so for the past week or so), so still can't upload the images. I am planning on checking the height tomorrow when I not in work

[Dazzler]

Yes, sorry a few hiccups with the site lately, hopefully things will settle down...

[yodm]

most likely it was always like that, and just because you changed the bulbs you take special notice because you think you did not do it right.
you can go to car electrician and test the lights, there is  a special tool for this. we get out lights checked annually in the MOT

[marabak]

Well, I managed to get some time to go out and have a look today, and turns out that I had put the bulb in "upside down". I did think that the wire clasp was a little tougher when I put that one in In my defence, I was changing them in the dark Because the bulb was upside down, it didn't fit in the holder correct and was sitting at an angle. Unfortunately, it is too sunny at the moment for me to see the effect that fixing it has had, but I am confident.

[eye30]

turns out that I had put the bulb in "upside down".

Was it an aussie sourced bulb.......

Well you can check circa 5.30pm and report back whether all is good...

[The Gonz]

Was it an aussie sourced bulb.......

I don't understand your question, Eye!

[marabak]

turns out that I had put the bulb in "upside down".

Was it an aussie sourced bulb.......

Well you can check circa 5.30pm and report back whether all is good...

My partner and step-daughter are part Aussie, so it's likely I got confused. All is good now though, they work perfectly

[eye30]

turns out that I had put the bulb in "upside down".

Was it an aussie sourced bulb.......

Well you can check circa 5.30pm and report back whether all is good...

My partner and step-daughter are part Aussie, so it's likely I got confused. All is good now though, they work perfectly

Result

[Dazzler]

Hi marabak,

I'm wondering if the globes didn't seat properly in the housing when you replaced them?  A bit skew-wiff so to speak?

turns out that I had put the bulb in "upside down".

Was it an aussie sourced bulb.......

My partner and step-daughter are part Aussie,

So I was close then... I should have said Skew-Wife...