1st Gen Headlamp Adjustment
 

Please help me out here. Regarding the adjustment screws behind each headlamp housing, I'm trying to figure out the screw on the higher side. I've figured the bottom adjustment screw does the up & down. I suppose the other screw on the top headlamp housing near the center grill does the left & right. I tried it but to no effect.

Could anyone pls advise how to ajust the headlamps.

Thanks!

P.S. It seems like every time I change a new bulb, I have to make some adjustments. Kinda sucks.

Most of the folks on the board have DOT spec Headlights with only 2 adjustments, nothing on the back:
http://images.cardomain.com/installs.../263925_27.jpg
North American cars run 9004 Bulbs.

You are probably running E-spec lamps. What kind of Bulbs do you use?


Rick

For that screw on the top, turn on your high-beams and see if it is changing those.

I'm using H4 bulbs on the so-called E-spec lamps.

I'll try it tonite Chastan.

Yes yes, I wanna adjust the screw on the top while in low bean. Does it adjust left/right. I know the bottom screw adjusts the high/low trim. Pls advise.
I will also try to adjust the top screw while in high beam as Chastan advised to see if it works.
The problem is that my projected light on the wall is not centered. It looks like both sides of the bulb is shining toward the left when I'm inside the car. So I wanna adjust them to the right.

just a thought.

seing our US version's of the protege has sucky headlights (most of us can barely see), why dont we point the lamp as far down as it goes so the highbeam will work as a low beam? =P longer screw if it doesnt go low enuf?? the highbeam has a higher wattage output and would prolly help out some.

just a thought....... reply on whut u guys think of this heheh

Just a thought too.

1. You'd probably melt the plastic housing due to higher wattage which gives out more heat energy. If it's glass then by all means. Too bad your 9004 doesn't have higher wattage like the H4 where we can get as high as 110W low beam and 160W high beam. Those are rally spec bulbs.

2. You'd be burning the 9004 bulbs and having to buy news one from time to time if you use the high beam as the normal driving lights.

In addition to the housing, it's also very likely to fry the wiring and harness (expensive parts from Mazda). I don't know how susceptable they actually are to frying -- it varies from car to car. It might be worthwhile to try and get a set of the H4 Euro-spec headlamps, about $350

The H4 Euro-spec headlamps are probably not DOT legal. You might wanna check with the local authority/agency.

No, they aren't street legal, actually... I doubt anybody would really know unless they have headlight inspections in your state.

If you live in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Massachussets, or Canada, then E-code lamps are legal!
Don't forget to get the E-spec lights from a country that drives on the same side of the road as in North America. Otherwise the lights will be pointing the wrong direction.

Rick

It isn't just a matter of adjusting the aim? They are actually different for lefthand and righthand drive?

You have a rhd car right? The headlights are supposed to be pointed down and to the left a bit. This is done so you don't blind oncoming traffic. If they are pointed dead center, the light will be brighter(sorry not brighter,just in a better spot) for you, and a lot brighter for oncoming traffic!

The inside reflector's are in a fixed position that is set to cast the residual light beam towards the "road sign" side. The DOT spec lamps cast the residual light towards the sky to see the "overhead signage" This is why DOT gives that Tunnel effect in the snow as the light are pointed to the sky. The E-spec lamps have a sharp cut off, keeping most of the light towards the road with the residual light going to the side for road signs.

So you can aim them, but they are just wrong for the job.

Rick