Aiming headlights on 1993 SC-2

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by MPost, Dec 31, 2004.

  1. MPost

    MPost Guest

    I have a '93 SC-2 with flip-up headlights. I've noticed lately that I'm
    having trouble seeing at night, especially when it's raining out. I replaced
    both bulbs with Sylvania Silverstars, which helped a little. However, I'm
    suspecting that my headlights are just aimed too high, which is preventing a
    lot of the light from hitting the road and probably annoying the heck out of
    oncoming traffic. So, any tips on how to aim the headlights properly? I
    think I know how to get at the adjustment screws, but I'm just not sure how
    to aim them without a lot of trial and error.

    Thanks in advance.
     
    MPost, Dec 31, 2004
    #1
  2. MPost

    Roy Guest

    I saw a technique that was to find a wall with level ground that you could
    park on an back up about 20 or 30 feet straight out from the wall. measure
    how high the headlights are from the ground and pull the car up a foot or
    two from the wall with the headlights on. Measure up to where the beam seems
    to be the brightest(centered) and see if this is the same as how high the
    lamps are from the ground. If it is, mark it with tape or something and back
    the car up and see if the center of the beam stays where you marked it. If
    it goes higher or lower then you need to adjust the other way.
    I just saw this on a car show and haven't actually tried it myself. I have
    kind of watched as I backed away from a garge door and my lights seemed to
    stay centered.
    If anyone has a correction for this feel free. I'm no mechanic or headlight
    technician (although that would be a nice cert to add).
     
    Roy, Dec 31, 2004
    #2
  3. MPost

    user Guest

    I did this procedure myself. Found a poorly lit building at
    night with a real flat pavement area adjoining it. Pulled up to
    the building and marked each of the respective centers of the
    'low' beams with a 'X'(tape worked for me). Rolled the car back
    REAL straight 20' and then adjusted each beam so that the center
    of the lights illumination was 2 inches to the right of
    center('X') and also 2 inches below center('X'). Pulled forward
    to recheck the procedure and then backed up 20' again and
    re-adjusted a bit until I felt confident that it was the best I
    could do. It sure helped my night driving. I read it in an
    artice somewhere but can't remember exactly where. It may have
    been in my Saturn Clymer book.
     
    user, Dec 31, 2004
    #3
  4. MPost

    D V Brownell Guest

    The Jan. Popular Mechanics Car Care section has a detailed article on doing
    headlamp adjustments.
     
    D V Brownell, Dec 31, 2004
    #4
  5. MPost

    MPost Guest

    All,

    Thanks for the suggestions. I ended up trying to adjust my headlamps today
    and found that even when I tightened down the adjustment screw underneath
    the headlight, the light wouldn't pitch down any more than it was. (I think
    my headlights are aimed too high right now.) I even went to the trouble to
    attach a laser level with a magnetic mount to the bezel used to hold the
    light in place and watched where the laser spot hit while I adjusted the
    screw. Is there another adjustment that I'm missing?

    Thanks
     
    MPost, Jan 3, 2005
    #5
Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.