13 Impala Headlight Adjustment

[jlp1551]

Hello all. New here and looking for some help.

I just purchased a beautiful 13 Impala LTZ. Beautiful car!!! The front left headlight is aimed too dang low. I tried to adjust it up, but I couldn't find an adjustment for it. The one I found was a hex head that turned a gear that turned a cog that did not moved the light beam up. The book says to go to the dealer. Just to adjust a headlight???
Does anyone know how to adjust the headlight up?
Many thanks!!!

Jeff

[Tech II]

There usually two hex head rods that are connected to gears(one could be recessed and hidden).....one for horizontal, one for vertical.......

First, lets find if something is broken.....grab the other headlight assembly that is aimed correctly, and grab it and see if there is excessive movement in any direction.....now grab the other one, and compare movement......if there is, then a bracket or gear is broken.....

If it's tight, then there is a gear problem.....not sure if individual parts can be bought to fix....

If you just bought it from a dealer, bring it back.....should be no charge....

[jlp1551]

Many tkx for the reply. Nothing loose. I figured why go to dealer for free fix and lose so much time!!!Will look at it some more after tomorrows storm! I will get it fixed, that's for sure!!!

[GMCustomerService]

Hey Jlp1551,

I am sorry you are having this concern. If you would for us to have your dealership reach out to you about this concern, please do not hesitate to send us a private message. Look forward to your update.

Erica Tiffany
GM Customer Care

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by jlp1551

Many tkx for the reply. Nothing loose. I figured why go to dealer for free fix and lose so much time!!!Will look at it some more after tomorrows storm! I will get it fixed, that's for sure!!!

every GM vehicle I purchased had this alignment issue. the driver side head lamp is set too low and is to the right. most inspection stations will fix this for free. also a new vehicle the dealership should have done this , but like I said I had to do it ..taking to the dealership takes time and they might break something.

as was mentioned there are 2 screws vertical and horizontal.

with these located and the proper tool [torx?] at night point vehicle at a building/garage door. about 20 ft from it then adjust so the lamps point slightly down and straight forward.. do not adjust too high. should be aimed so that you can see forward but also see the surface of the road..

measure the headlamp height on / of the vehicle. then use that to set the headlamp height on the wall. that lamp beam should be on the wall just below that mark...

[jlp1551]

Thanks all!! Now, the real story, maybe will save someone some time and money in the future. I finally grew a set and removed the dang fixture from the car, you know, that expensive headlight assy. Well, I found the two plugs to remove to change the high and low beam lamps, and noticed that if I carefully moved my hand around in there, I could get the lamps to move up and down! Then I noticed that the gimbal type connection from the adjusting screw to the yoke that moves the lamps was not together. It is a ball and socket looking thing. Both high and low beams have one of these, it the outer one, ball, isn't in it's socket, nothing moves. Removed the lamp, to get a better grip, and while I held the yoke my son used his fingers through the hole where the lamp lives to pop the ball back into the socket. Sort of like fixing a dislocated shoulder.
Know, I know the dealer would probably just have replaced the fixture, not cheap, so GM, by fixing it myself I saved ya the cost of the fixture. You'll get my bill in the mail!! My smiley faces are gone, or I'd give you all a big clapping hands one!!!!
Now, back to correcting the paint and making the Impala really shine!!!!!

[Tech II]

I'm sure GM thanks you......right Erica?

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by jlp1551

Thanks all!! Now, the real story, maybe will save someone some time and money in the future. I finally grew a set and removed the dang fixture from the car, you know, that expensive headlight assy. Well, I found the two plugs to remove to change the high and low beam lamps, and noticed that if I carefully moved my hand around in there, I could get the lamps to move up and down! Then I noticed that the gimbal type connection from the adjusting screw to the yoke that moves the lamps was not together. It is a ball and socket looking thing. Both high and low beams have one of these, it the outer one, ball, isn't in it's socket, nothing moves. Removed the lamp, to get a better grip, and while I held the yoke my son used his fingers through the hole where the lamp lives to pop the ball back into the socket. Sort of like fixing a dislocated shoulder.
Know, I know the dealer would probably just have replaced the fixture, not cheap, so GM, by fixing it myself I saved ya the cost of the fixture. You'll get my bill in the mail!! My smiley faces are gone, or I'd give you all a big clapping hands one!!!!
Now, back to correcting the paint and making the Impala really shine!!!!!

great job investigating and correcting this GM defect. also posting back your fix will help others that may find this issue.

May I suggest you report this defect to NHTSA , since this would be a safety defect. not being able to align the headlights or the headlights possibly falling out of alignment when driving is a safety issue. now many more will be advised of your work. thanks for your input.

as far as GM ERICA the secret help person , I hope that my senator gets his bill /amendment passed to stop all this secret GM safety issue. all safety issues I hope will be mandated by law to be reported to all us vehicle owners.

Also no more secret settlements of lawsuits where GM defective work/parts caused damage/death.