9jacriip: I don't know what's wrong with my car head lights, they're not bright @ all and I hardly see anything at night - really scary. Though I've changed bulbs severally, still no difference - its lacking brightness. What can I do? Solutions please.

9jacriip: That was quick! Thank you.
Its an Accord 2004 EX

There are several factors that could account for dim headlamps.

1) Discoloured headlamp lenses.
2) Discoloured headlamp reflectors.
3) Incorrect headlamp aim.
4) Excessive voltage drop at wiring terminals.

a) Your headlamp lenses are plastic. These plastic lenses can tarnish over time, and become yellowish, with surface scratches. Take a look at these first, they should be clear, with no opaque (cloudy) appearance. If they are not clear, the only way out is replacement.

b) Your reflectors must be a clear silver. Most modern cars have plastic reflectors, with a silver treatment. Older models will be chrome-plated metal. Make sure your lenses have no cracks. If there's any way moisture can get into the units, the reflectors can dull, metal ones can have the chrome plating flake off, and the metal rust. Again, if this is the case, the only way out is replacement.

c) Headlamp aim is very important. If the headlamps are aimed too low, the beam won't travel very far, and will illuminate a very short distance at night, regardless of how bright they are. If aimed too high, there won't be any beam pattern to see from the driving seat at night, so I would look at this too. Hoes your car have a headlamp level adjuster on the dash? It should be set to 0 (zero) at all times, unless the rear is heavily loaded, then position 1 or 2 should be used.

d) If your headlamp wiring has corrosion, or is otherwise old, you'll get voltage drop. So you can get 10 - 11,5 volts at the bulb, instead of the average 12,5 - 14,4 volts with the engine running. You'll need a decent garage to check the voltage with a multimeter. The best way to improve output (assuming voltage drop is an issue) is to have the main and dipped beam running through relays. Don't be tempted to exceed the rated bulb wattage (55 / 60 watts). If you do (without relays being fitted) you will overload the circuit - the least you could do would be you'll burn out the headlamp switch, worse case scenario, an electrical fire starting behind the dash.

Get these items checked by a reputable garage (not what Nigerians call "rewire". They're cheap for a reason - they're not qualified to be working on anything to do with an automobile.

9jacriip: I don't know what's wrong with my car head lights, they're not bright @ all and I hardly see anything at night - really scary. Though I've changed bulbs severally, still no difference - its lacking brightness. What can I do? Solutions please.

Siena:

There are several factors that could account for dim headlamps.

1) Discoloured headlamp lenses.
2) Discoloured headlamp reflectors.
3) Incorrect headlamp aim.
4) Excessive voltage drop at wiring terminals.

a) Your headlamp lenses are plastic. These plastic lenses can tarnish over time, and become yellowish, with surface scratches. Take a look at these first, they should be clear, with no opaque (cloudy) appearance. If they are not clear, the only way out is replacement.

b) Your reflectors must be a clear silver. Most modern cars have plastic reflectors, with a silver treatment. Older models will be chrome-plated metal. Make sure your lenses have no cracks. If there's any way moisture can get into the units, the reflectors can dull, metal ones can have the chrome plating flake off, and the metal rust. Again, if this is the case, the only way out is replacement.

c) Headlamp aim is very important. If the headlamps are aimed too low, the beam won't travel very far, and will illuminate a very short distance at night, regardless of how bright they are. If aimed too high, there won't be any beam pattern to see from the driving seat at night, so I would look at this too. Hoes your car have a headlamp level adjuster on the dash? It should be set to 0 (zero) at all times, unless the rear is heavily loaded, then position 1 or 2 should be used.

d) If your headlamp wiring has corrosion, or is otherwise old, you'll get voltage drop. So you can get 10 - 11,5 volts at the bulb, instead of the average 12,5 - 14,4 volts with the engine running. You'll need a decent garage to check the voltage with a multimeter. The best way to improve output (assuming voltage drop is an issue) is to have the main and dipped beam running through relays. Don't be tempted to exceed the rated bulb wattage (55 / 60 watts). If you do (without relays being fitted) you will overload the circuit - the least you could do would be you'll burn out the headlamp switch, worse case scenario, an electrical fire starting behind the dash.

Get these items checked by a reputable garage (not what Nigerians call "rewire". They're cheap for a reason - they're not qualified to be working on anything to do with an automobile.

ZIM DRILL:

remember headlight got 2 stages dipped beam and high beam have you tried high beam ?

and also is the glass clean ?