Adjusting headlights on a VR6

[daveshep]

Anyone got any tips on adjusting the headlights on my 1994 VR6? i was driving in a foggy canberra night on monday and could see the left light was pointing off accross the beam from the right light... explains why i cant see so much in front of me when i'm driving

i see those two while barrel-type things which will move the lights around but i just can't seem to get them pointed where i want them. is it best to park nose-in to a wall and adjust them there etc?

[jonesyGT]

I park in front of my garage with the door down

Seems to work OK

Cheers
Mark

[Golf Loon]

Make sure that the reflector isn`t loose inside the housing, very common on Mk3s.

If all is good, then simply adjust as normal.

[bboyskidz]

yeh those wheels do the trick - one does vertical, the other horizontal. if they don't align like you want them to, take the black cover off at the back and try adjusting the inner lens.

this next step will make sure the lights are correctly (and legally) aligned.

you will need:
tape measure
chalk or tape


1. measure the distance between the centre of each of your headlights.
2. measure the distance from the ground to the centre of you headlights.
3. mark the measurements up on the wall using the chalk/tape making it look something like so:

4. park your car about 2 meters away from the wall and position your lights accordingly.
5. drive forward about a metre, test that they are still aligned
6. reverse to about 3 metres away and check again.

[DubSteve]

How do you stop the reflector from moving around mines a bit wobbly

[bboyskidz]

more to my last post:

if you want the lights adjusted legally, you will need to do a few calculations using a scientific calculator...

headlights in australia are supposed to be dipped by about 1.2 degrees so to work it out, you will need to put some of the previous measurements into the following formula:

h = light height
d = distance from wall
x = distance below light height (h)
y = diagonal distance from light to wall
c = correct light height

[bboyskidz]

How do you stop the reflector from moving around mines a bit wobbly

same here, i don't think you can. I'm going to buy some new lights sooner or later, when I do, I'll upload pics if I find a way to fix it.

I just used electrical tape as a temporary fix.

[DubSteve]

On a slightly off note, what are the parker lights???

There not wedge based there got 2 pronks and its like a twisty thing. I tried to install some light bulbs yesterday and they weren't working.

I know have PHILIPS Crystalvision lights with amber parkers looks gya and crap

[BlackVr6ix]

that is your parkers small wedge globe, they come on in your first click on the headlight switch.

[DubSteve]

that is your parkers small wedge globe, they come on in your first click on the headlight switch.

Yeah but there not actually wedge mine are like a twist you can see them on your actual headlight. I was like WTF.

[ScienceVR6]

Mines wedge, i dont see why yours wouldn't be unless your lights have been replaced with 'el cheapo replacments.

[DubSteve]

unless your lights have been replaced with 'el cheapo replacments.

No mate, same thing was on the Mexican style lights on my last vr!

Its like the socket is not for a wedge

[bboyskidz]

got pics?

i replaced mine with lil blue ones from bullseye - pretty good - just can't drive around with only my parkers on unless i want a ticket

seriously the easiest way to get replacement bulbs is take the one you have out, take it to autobarn/repco/bullseye/other and say "i want one of these"

I also got my main headlights replaced with those whiter, euro-style lights - the 8000k version. They look so good compared to the faded yellow look that is standard... only cost me $28 for the set too. not much cheaper on ebay.

[deemoE36]

mine left one has moved inside, the plastic bit that holds the blobes is came loose, and was moving around, fixed that and in right position
but my right one is pointing up, even tho its not moving inside, like something is wrong with the globe and the way is positioned

dont know...

[daveshep]

nice work guys, esp. bboyskidz. thanks for the advice...