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[mc9]

Night driving on dip beams is difficult. Beam alignment check says the alignment is correct. With levelling control on position 0 the beams cut off too close to the car (it appears to us). We don't like driving into inky blackness.

I want to raise the headlamp adjustment. Is this an easy procedure? How is it done?

Cheers, mc9

[zirk]

If the beam pattern is correct, then not sure this is the problem, how old is the Car?, are the reflectors / lens clear, assuming you dont have HID's may be worth looking at different bulbs etc.

[Shackeng]

Probably broken adjusters, fit the ally billet adjusters advertised on here.

[mc9]

It's a 1999 2.5TD. Standard halogen lamps.

On other cars I've owned the dip beam pattern is somewhat diffuse and throws light far enough to make night driving comfortable. With this car the dip beam cutoff is VERY sharp and doesn't illuminate the road at all beyond the cutoff.

Just wondered if I can raise the beams slightly without dazzling other drivers?

mc9

[TheBoy]

To raise, you really need to get done by a garage with proper equip.

Projectors have a more defined pattern than reflectors

[mc9]

Okay thanks, not a job for me then.

Yep, they are projector beams. A case of newer technology being an *improvement* on an older technology perhaps? 

Cheers, mc9

[Shackeng]

The projectors with nightrider bulbs work well on my TD, and I have the alumunium adjusters fitted.

[RobG]

The projectors with nightrider bulbs work well on my TD, and I have the alumunium adjusters fitted.

Nightbreakers

[ffcgary1]

Retro fit a HID kit into the projectors with 6000k bulbs and see the improvment then. But there are grey areas with regards to law in this route but i will say i have them fitted to my tourer and have had no issues with regards the MOT AND POLICE.

[dbug]

Retro fit a HID kit into the projectors with 6000k bulbs and see the improvment then. But there are grey areas with regards to law in this route but i will say i have them fitted to my tourer and have had no issues with regards the MOT AND POLICE.

You're better off with the standard 4300K bulbs or 5000K max bulbs - above this you will lose light output (range) but of course will have the bluer chav appearance 

[ffcgary1]

6000k gives the whitest light output after that you get the chav look,  which i must say i hate with a passion.

[Shackeng]

The projectors with nightrider bulbs work well on my TD, and I have the alumunium adjusters fitted.

Nightbreakers

Just checking

[zirk]

Stupid question but are the Bulbs sitting in there seats properly, that can throw the pattern all over the place?

[mc9]

Both lamps have identical beam patterns so I guess the bulbs are seated properly.

What are these "aluminium adjusters" of which you all speak? What are they for? Do I need them?

Cheer, mc9

[ffcgary1]

if your lamps have been attacked by ham fisted persons in the past there is a good chance the plastic adjusters will be broken.
This is because the adjusters that GM use becomes brittle after a few years due to the heat inside the unit. The alu replacements are a reto fit but require the lens to be removed first. They are bonded to the lamp body. There is a guide on here somewhere i belive.