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Cavalier Problem Diagnosis Got a problem you can't fix? We can help. |
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05-13-2012, 07:59 AM | #1 | |
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2003 Cavalier headlights very poor
My headlights are terrible. I've cleaned the lenses; replaced the bulbs with the brightest available; re-adjusted the direction. They simply don't illuminate the road well. When another car approaches head-on, my lights seem to be overwhelmed by the on-coming vehicle's lights and it's just plain dark on my side of the road.
Any ideas? Is this a problem with all Cavaliers? Would there be a benefit to replacing the entire headlight assembly? |
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05-13-2012, 04:40 PM | #2 | |
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Re: 2003 Cavalier headlights very poor
"I've cleaned the lenses"
Are they clear or not? "I've cleaned the lenses" Was the intensity exactly the same as originals? "re-adjusted the direction.......it's just plain dark on my side of the road." Doesn't sound like it's adjusted correctly..... There was a campaign on this car to repair the wire harness to the headlights/DRL's.....you would have to go to a Chevy dealer, provide your VIN #, and have them check for any open campaigns on your car..... Here's what I would do......start car....normal operating temp....lights on.....put voltmeter across the battery......should be about 13.0 volts ......now put voltmeter across the harness to one of the bulbs....the voltage should be the same as across the battery.....if much lower, than you have a voltage drop somewhere..... |
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05-14-2012, 05:06 PM | #3 | |
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Re: 2003 Cavalier headlights very poor
Thanks, Tech II !
I appreciate your comments. I just bought the car, so I can't compare what the headlights were originally. The car was parked outside in Miami since 2003. So, I'm guessing it could have corrosion issues from salt air/ humidity. The lenses seem OK to me. I'll check with a dealer to see if there were any recall notices. I'm curious as to whether this is a problem with the model, or just my car. |
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05-14-2012, 07:25 PM | #4 | |
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Re: 2003 Cavalier headlights very poor
Did you check the voltage across the battery and the bulbs with the car running?
'03 Sunfires and Cavaliers did have the wiring problem.... |
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05-15-2012, 06:26 AM | #5 | |
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Re: 2003 Cavalier headlights very poor
Not yet.
I'm flying up to a wedding in New England. I'll have to put that off for a couple of weeks. |
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2003 , cavalier , headlights , poor |
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