Headlight issues

[Sir_loin]

Right, so i've noticed in the year that i've owned my '02, that the headlights suck...i can drive with the high beams on and people don't care...theyr'e that weak....so i have a question, do i need new bulbs, or do the headlights just suck naturally.

I've noticed there's these little cromed, almost hoods, at the front of the bulb. the best i can figure is that they keep the headlights from having that central focus point or a really bright spot....wtf? any ideas? can they be removed? is it legal to remove them?? or should i just suck it up and buy a pair of xenon bulbs? i don't wanna buy new bulbs though, and still have the same problem. my old century was like that. i want visibility at night dammit!! lol

thanks all.

[mwt47]

You can buy an upgraded headlight harness and some silverstar bulbs.

That will definately do the trick.

Mike

[Sir_loin]

Originally Posted by mwt47

You can buy an upgraded headlight harness and some silverstar bulbs.

That will definately do the trick.

Mike

well i figured the bulbs would be a good idea, but the real problem is penetration, they don't light up the night the way my kia does and it's half the size. so i think the real question is, can i pull those little covers from the front of the bulb? or will that violate some road safety law or something????

[shorod]

Well, first things first. Are the headlight lenses crystal clear, or are they hazy? If hazy, then even removing the hoods won't solve your issue. You really should get new headlight assemblies. The plastic cleaners and polishes may be a temporary solution, but not a long term one.

Second, what is the condition of the charging system? Do you have a healthy battery, clean cabling, and a properly functioning alternator? What is the battery voltage at the headlight connector with the car running?

Have you considered installing a set of good properly-aimed driving lights? They will give you a narrower beam than the headlights. Be sure you look at driving lights and not fog lights though.

Lastly, I'm not an optical engineer so I can't speak to the design elements of the headlight on your Taurus, but I do realize that focal point and reflectors are critically designed and positioned to give an optimum pattern. I don't think you'd be happy with what you'd see if you were to remove the "hood." I suspect you'd end up with a widely diffused beam pattern, much worse than what you already have.

-Rod

[mwt47]

If your headlights are clear and not opague, the upgraded headlight harness and the silverstars will definately give you all the light you need.

The 2000 and up headlights do get cloudy and you can clean them with plastix or some other polish.

The harness and Silverstars maek a huge difference.

[Sir_loin]

well the lenses are perfect, or near perfect, i've been lucky. so i guess next is to test the harness and see how my voltage is. what should it be? 12v? or 110?

[UsedtobeSmart]

My 1997 Taurus's headlights were pathetic. I upgraded the bulbs (and that was a chore and a half, let me tell you) to some GE Nighthawks from Wal-Mart and there was a distinct difference -- brighter, clearer, I couldn't have been more pleased with the difference. However, I know what you mean about penetration. They reach downrange quite nicely, but there isn't the punch I was used to from my other car's dual-bulb system. So, upgrading the bulbs would help but might not solve your problem, but it's a cheap enough first step. Besides, if you try for some driving lights too you'll have even more light than if you'd just stepped up to the driving lights in the first place.

Good luck!

[Sir_loin]

you guys are awesome!

ok i'll try the bulbs first, i'm a little extra flush in the wallet this week so we'll see how that goes. she's a 2002 so i'm hoping it's not a huge chore to switch the bulbs out, but given how stuffed she is under the hood, i think it's gonna be a nightmare. i friggin hate changing the oil filter and it's fairly accessible.

k i'll try the bulbs and see how that goes then get back to y'all

[mwt47]

There is a bolt and a clip on each headlight.

there may be two bolts I can't remmeber off the top of my head.

Don't mess with the aim adjust bolts. They are pretty obvious to distinguish

Anyway take the bolt out and pull the clip straight up and the headlight will pull right out.


Change you bulbs to the silver stars and you will definately notice a difference over stock.

The harness is the 9007 harness and is available at www.suvlights.com.

That is where the real difference will be. Your harness is working like ford made it. It just isnt that great.

Mike

[shorod]

The voltage at the bulb should be just shy of battery voltage, around 13.5-14.4 Vdc when the car is running.

-Rod