What's Wrong With My Headlights?

[SpikeyBush]

There's naff all range on the dipped beam. They are lit up but don't seem to shine very far. Driving home tonight from Belfast I was clenched at times driving nearly blind through the dark bits of Armagh, Monaghan and Cavan when I had oncoming traffic and had to turn the main beams off. Lenses are clean. Car is a 2006 Opel Vectra.

[douglas9401]

Is the little headlight setting control set too low? Usually found below the light switch and maybe numbered 0-3.

[Old_Geezer]

If range is less than you are used to then it has to be the settings. Get them adjusted at your garage.

[RATTER15]

Are you sure they are actually on, it sounds to me like the dipped lights are going out and you are driving on side lights.

[bhg481]

In the case of an electrical problem, some cars reduce the power to the headlights rather than turning them off altogether to avoid a complete blackout. This feels far more likely than both left and right headlights suddenly going out of alignment, unless you've hit something. Pointing the car at a wall and comparing the brightness of dipped and main beam lights should verify this. The beam pattern will be different but the brightness should be similar.

[SpikeyBush]

The headlight setting was the first thing I checked (after checking that they were lit in the first place) and that was set correctly. I haven't hit or been hit by anything since the car was last tested and alignment was spot on then. It was the first time in a while I had to use my headlights as I was working particularly late on Friday. I'll stick a fresh pair of bulbs in and see if that makes any difference.

[vulcan42]

Is the glass hazy?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QwzHOO-3lk

[SpikeyBush]

Thanks Vulcan. Although the decay is nowhere near the extent suffered by the hocus pocus in that vid, after 7 years and 250,000km of salt, stones and squashed wasps I think my Vectra would benefit from an application of Aqua Fresh in the morning. And if it doesn't cure the lighting issue at least my motor will have fresh breath.

[SpikeyBush]

Good point Methyl. I have got a meter and remember the voltage regulator was a bit iffy in a Vauxhall Viva I had years ago. Another thing to do in the morning.