Headlights - Replacement Bulb Suggestions

[smetzler]

I have a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix GT. I noticed driving and also compared to my 2006 Hyundai Sonata, the headlights seem not nearly as bright. I don't know if they are the original bulbs or not, nor if this is the design of the headlights for the Grand Prix.

Do the headlights get dim over time. I have 106,000 miles on the car as I just purchased it a few months ago.

Any suggestions on the bulb type that I could purchase that would help the lighting?

Thanks

Shawn

[GTP Dad]

The Grand Prix uses a number 9007 bulb. Bulbs do get dimmer over time. If yours are original they probably should be replaced. I recommend the new Silver Stars. They are whiter than most and give good visibility.

Based on your description however, the Sonota uses a different design of headlamp, meaning they are projector style and will project a brighter beam that will appear brighter. So you are comparing apples to oranges in this case.

[smetzler]

Thanks. I agree that I am comparing "apples to oranges" so I also drove the same road at the same time in the same conditions. That is where I saw the difference between the two cars and thought the lights on the Pontiac provided less visibility based on driving conditions.

Even with newer bulbs I'm guessing there will still be a difference, but currently it seems too much of a difference and making me think I need new bulbs.

I appreciate your help.

Shawn

[richtazz]

I would replace them with Sylvania Silverstars. Also look at the clear plastic lens, they can cloud up and or turn yellow over time, causing reduced light output. Meguires makes a plastic polish that works great to get rid of the cloudy/yellowing. I believe your 06 Hyundai comes with HID (high intensity discharge) lights, so they will be brighter than any halogen you can buy.

[smetzler]

Need some more help on this one. I went to multiple auto part stores and the local Pontiac dealership and received different answers.

+ One said the lights don't dim. They just go out.

+ Another said the lights dim and then go out.

+ One said on the headlight cover it seems there is some type of film. The car has never had body work, so I think it is from being detailed - is that possible? The Pontiac guy used some paint / cleaner wax and it seems to have taken off some of the film. Any suggestions on what to use to clean the headlight covers? The Pontiac guy suggested Mequires Paint / Cleaner wax. Would Goof Off or something like that be OK to use or not a good idea on the headlight covers? The film is also on the parking light covers. To replace the lights its about $250 each for around $500.

+ Another said it may be dirt on the inside of the headlight cover, but I thought those were sealed. Correct?

What I'm thinking about doing is just buying the Silver Star lights and cleaning the headlights (if they come clean). Even if the current lights are still OK, the Silver Star will give me more visibility if I can't get off the film.

Also, I know I can adjust the beams on the headlights. Is there some type of default setting that I should use with the lights? Maybe that has also been changed and deters my visibility.

Any ideas would be helpful. Thanks.

Shawn

[KX2000GTP]

Originally Posted by smetzler

+ One said the lights don't dim. They just go out.

+ Another said the lights dim and then go out.

The headlight lenses fogging up are more than likely causing the dimming. I always thought a bulb would just go when it's time.

Originally Posted by smetzler

+ Another said it may be dirt on the inside of the headlight cover, but I thought those were sealed. Correct?

They are sealed from the factory, but over time it is possible for one of the seals to weaken, allowing water and such to get inside the lense and fog it up or tint it yellow

Originally Posted by smetzler

What I'm thinking about doing is just buying the Silver Star lights and cleaning the headlights (if they come clean). Even if the current lights are still OK, the Silver Star will give me more visibility if I can't get off the film.

You can purchase new headlight lenses from www.pfyc.com $79 a pair. compared to buying new lights it's cheaper. If you are taking the old ones off anyway, just put new ones on...it's one of those why worry about cleaning when I can replace things to me. Oh, and use the sylvania bulbs. they really look better (heads on view) and provide better visibility

Originally Posted by smetzler

Also, I know I can adjust the beams on the headlights. Is there some type of default setting that I should use with the lights? Maybe that has also been changed and deters my visibility.

The adjustment is only for direction...It would have some bearing on visibility but not enough to consider. If you have 106K, installing new lenses and swapping the bulbs would do way more that adjutment or cleaning.

Originally Posted by smetzler

+ One said on the headlight cover it seems there is some type of film. The car has never had body work, so I think it is from being detailed - is that possible? The Pontiac guy used some paint / cleaner wax and it seems to have taken off some of the film. Any suggestions on what to use to clean the headlight covers? The Pontiac guy suggested Mequires Paint / Cleaner wax. Would Goof Off or something like that be OK to use or not a good idea on the headlight covers? The film is also on the parking light covers. To replace the lights its about $250 each for around $500.

Not sure about the film...maybe if someone waxed over the lenses..? If you want to clean it, Mequiars is the ticket, but I don't believe the goof off would hurt <- someone check me on this
Any ideas would be helpful. Thanks.

Shawn[/quote]

[richtazz]

goof off is more for tree sap, bug guts, etc... and not for removing UV yellowing or road grime abrasion cloudiness. Meguires plastic cleaner and polish are what you want to use to get your lenses "like new" clear again.

[regalfriend]

Believe it or not . Toothpaste works too. My lights had a film on the inside. I removed lense, cleaned inside of lense and the silver part of headlight housing....I used a watered down solution of windex, and lint free paper towels.. You need to rub it lightly so the silver backing wont come off. I resealed the lense with high temp gasket sealer.

[bjaymo3]

[quote=GTP Dad]The Grand Prix uses a number 9007 bulb. Bulbs do get dimmer over time. If yours are original they probably should be replaced. I recommend the new Silver Stars. They are whiter than most and give good visibility.

Thanks for the tip on the bulb part no. I've looked at the job and first glance appears to require removal of battery or headlamp assebly. (Passenger side). Any suggestions on how to make it easy?

Also, I can't find a single book, be it Chilton or Haynes, for my 2002 Grand Prix GT 3.8 (no sc). Do you know of any?

Thanks hugely.

[GTP Dad]

This really isn't a hard job but you do need to remove the headlight assembly to get to the bulb. Check your owners manual since it will usually give you directions on how to change a bulb. I haven't changed one in quite a while so I really can't give you the step by step. Maybe another member can assist.

Unfortunately unless you purchase a set of shop manuals I don't thing that Chiltons or Haynes has one available for the 02. You may want to check e-bay.

[bizcut88]

[quote=bjaymo3]

Originally Posted by GTP Dad

The Grand Prix uses a number 9007 bulb. Bulbs do get dimmer over time. If yours are original they probably should be replaced. I recommend the new Silver Stars. They are whiter than most and give good visibility.

Thanks for the tip on the bulb part no. I've looked at the job and first glance appears to require removal of battery or headlamp assebly. (Passenger side). Any suggestions on how to make it easy?

Also, I can't find a single book, be it Chilton or Haynes, for my 2002 Grand Prix GT 3.8 (no sc). Do you know of any?

Thanks hugely.

I had to replace that bulb a couple days ago but I don't have a manual for this car so I ended up removing the battery and doing it the long way. While I was doing it I just kept thinking wtf was GM thinking designing it this way.

It would probably be a wise investment to get a manual to save myself time in the future.

Good luck.

[bjaymo3]

Thanks! Will do. I'll also check to see if there's H or C books on the comparable chevy or buick model. I guess that would be the Monte Carlo.

[BIG-L]

Open your hood, and you'll see 1 10mm bolt above each headlight. Take them out, and the unit pulls out and pull it to towards the fender and pull out,there are 2 tabs on each end of the unit. Unhook the clip, and then you'll see a round plastic "wheel". Give it a counter-clockwise turn to unlock it, and it comes off. The bulbs then pull right out and do not touch the glass on the new bulbs or oil will cause early burn out.No need to pull out battery and other stuff.....takes about 10mins to replace both bulbs.

Ive found out that ive had better luck with some bulbs from Walmart made by Cyber White called XENON QUARTZ and they are only 17 bucks VS 50 for a pair.Great bulbs for the price and seem to be whiter then the silverstars.

Our headlight capsuls suck.Really no way to make them shine brigther down the road,other then going with HIDs .

~Larry~

[bjaymo3]

Well, it wasn't TOO bad.....not like a starter removal. The toughest part was having to remove the battery and therefore the fuse-box(under hood) and the corner bracket bar that goes over the battery. Once I got to the bulb, it was pretty easy. But thanks for the tip. My GP is a 2002 3.8 FI. I bought the 2nd step up Sylvannia 9007 VR. I wanted the STAR but holy crap! Those dudes are expensive!

Seriously, I really appreciate the way you've handled this forum. A great job!