URGENT Another failed NCT for beam benders

sushmita

Hi all,

I failed the NCT, twice.
The first time because (as I have a LHD car) I didn't have beam benders.
So I went to the mechanic (official Fiat garage!), they didn't put these beam benders the way they should do and I failed... again.
I'm desperate. I asked the guys at NCT for suggestion for a good mechanic, but they don't give any advice whatsoever.
There's no point in going back to the same garage as they don't know how to put those things. Do you know any good garage where they can do this for me? Please, it's very urgent as I must pass the NCT by Xmas.
Thank you!

Anan1

Forget about beam benders, you need RHD headlight units.

colm_mcm

What's the model and year

sushmita

colm_mcm wrote: »

What's the model and year

Fiat 500, November 2007

colm_mcm

Good price here

http://www.micksgarage.ie/carspec.aspx?&deptid=299&make=Fiat&model=500%202007-&basemodel=&year=&engine=&petroldiesel=&mode=drilldown

€180 for the pair

L1011

As far as I know you're never, ever going to get the required pattern with "beam benders" which are basically just blockers for the directional part. New lights as Anan1 says. Keep the old ones if you're ever planning to bring the car to an LHD country permanently.

Nissan doctor

The stick on 'beam benders' only flatten the light beam so you don't blind oncoming cars, they don't switch the beam to the opposite side.

You need RHD headlamps unfortunatly.


Very roughly, below is what I'm on about...

lhd beam
____/


With beam benders
____


rhd beam(required for NCT)
\____

Delancey

Interesting , never knew that LHD headlights are incompatible here.

Fishtits

Delancey wrote: »

Interesting , never knew that LHD headlights are incompatible here.

I'm assuming this statement is dripping with sarcasm...

Some lamp units are fitted with a lever/switch to change the beam pattern, not sure about this model though. If not, RHD units would seem to be the only option.

Cheers, fishtits.

sushmita

Hi, internet didn't work anymore last night (like I didn't have enough problems)
The guy at the NCT centre said I don't need to buy new lights, but just to put these beam benders.
I understand your point, but that's what he told me. I was thinking of finding someone who can put these beam benders, hope to pass this bl@dy NCT and then for next NCT have the proper lights as you suggested me.
But now I have to do this before Xmas and I doubt I'll manage to a) get the lights b) get them in my car c) go back to the NCT. I have my flight to go home on the 23rd.
I'm desperate, please help me.

GavMan

sushmita wrote: »

Hi, internet didn't work anymore last night (like I didn't have enough problems)
The guy at the NCT centre said I don't need to buy new lights, but just to put these beam benders.
I understand your point, but that's what he told me. I was thinking of finding someone who can put these beam benders, hope to pass this bl@dy NCT and then for next NCT have the proper lights as you suggested me.
But now I have to do this before Xmas and I doubt I'll manage to a) get the lights b) get them in my car c) go back to the NCT. I have my flight to go home on the 23rd.
I'm desperate, please help me.

Any fiat Garage could have the part in in a couple of working days tops.

As everyone has been saying, it's unlikely/no chance benders will get you by here.

keithclancy

RHD Headlamps, maybe try the UK. You'll never pass with Beam Benders.

Anan1

Last time I ordered parts from Micksgarage I had them in a couple of days. The likes of Hamiltons would fit and align the new units cheaply enough. And then you're sorted for good.:)

Edit: Unless they're HID?

Wolverine_1999

Like someone mentioned above, it's possible to change the angle of the beam on some headlights to RHD.

Have you checked this?

keithclancy

Wolverine_1999 wrote: »

Like someone mentioned above, it's possible to change the angle of the beam on some headlights to RHD.

Have you checked this?

I doubt it, it would be in the Car manual if you could.

sushmita

Anan1 wrote: »

Last time I ordered parts from Micksgarage I had them in a couple of days. The likes of Hamiltons would fit and align the new units cheaply enough. And then you're sorted for good.:)

Edit: Unless they're HID?

What does HID mean?

sushmita

Wolverine_1999 wrote: »

Like someone mentioned above, it's possible to change the angle of the beam on some headlights to RHD.

Have you checked this?

And how is possible to do this? Where can I have it done?

sushmita

I re-understand your point that I won't pass and so on... but how do you know? Are you all working in NCT?
Why did they tell me 'You don't need to buy other lights, just buy beam benders and have someone fixing for you'?
I know a guy who had the car from Italy like me, he failed the 1st time because he put the beam benders by himself. He then got them fit properly in Toyota garage, pity this is in Greystones and it's not handy for me. Anyway he then passed the NCT.

Nissan doctor

Wolverine_1999 wrote: »

Like someone mentioned above, it's possible to change the angle of the beam on some headlights to RHD.

Have you checked this?

What cars have this feature?

keithclancy

Nissan doctor wrote: »

What cars have this feature?

Mine does

2005 Volvo V50.

Just flick the switch over to swap for Driving on the left

Whole process takes about 5 minutes while your waiting for the ferry to pull in.

Nissan doctor

keithclancy wrote: »

Mine does

2005 Volvo V50.

Just flick the switch over to swap for Driving on the left

Whole process takes about 5 minutes while your waiting for the ferry to pull in.

I must admit I've never seen it, although, I've never had reason to look.

I presume only certain cars with projector/hid lamps can do this as it would be impossible with reflector units.

Anan1

sushmita wrote: »

What does HID mean?

HID headlights are brighter than the standard halogen units, and produce a crisp white light. They were an optional extra on the 500, if your car has them then it will also have auto beam levelling and headlight washers.

sushmita wrote: »

I re-understand your point that I won't pass and so on... but how do you know? Are you all working in NCT?

Because all beam benders do is prevent you from dazzling oncoming traffic. They have no reflector, so it's impossible for them to produce the required pattern.

Nissan doctor wrote: »

What cars have this feature?

I've heard that BMW HIDs, at least, are adjustable. That's only hearsay though, the last switch I saw with my own eyes was on a Renault 16TS.

Piri

We have friends with LHD Suzuki Wagon R+ and passed the NCT with beam benders No needed to replace the whole headlamp

sushmita

Because all beam benders do is prevent you from dazzling oncoming traffic. They have no reflector, so it's impossible for them to produce the required pattern.

But again WHY do the guys in NCT told me NOT to change the lights, but just to buy the beam benders?

sushmita

Piri wrote: »

We have friends with LHD Suzuki Wagon R+ and passed the NCT with beam benders No needed to replace the whole headlamp

PLEASE PLEASE tell me where they had them fit, please I need to know this. Thanks!

LLU

Anan1 wrote: »

HID headlights are brighter than the standard halogen units, and produce a crisp white light. They were an optional extra on the 500, if your car has them then it will also have auto beam levelling and headlight washers.Because all beam benders do is prevent you from dazzling oncoming traffic. They have no reflector, so it's impossible for them to produce the required pattern.I've heard that BMW HIDs, at least, are adjustable. That's only hearsay though, the last switch I saw with my own eyes was on a Renault 16TS.

I've seen some beam benders which are actually a sort of fresnel lense and presumably do deflect the upwards arc from the right over to the left.

However I don't know whether the resulting beam shape matches that of an original RHD unit.

sushmita

sushmita wrote: »

PLEASE PLEASE tell me where they had them fit, please I need to know this. Thanks!

Oh, but I see you're from Cork so maybe your friends had it done in Cork as well? Please let me know. Thanks

Nissan doctor

sushmita wrote: »

But again WHY do the guys in NCT told me NOT to change the lights, but just to buy the beam benders?

Thats the joys of our NCT, you could ask several different testers and get several different answers as to what will fail and what will pass:rolleyes:

Piri

My friend put the benders for himsef and got NCT without any problem
Go for another station or buy two RHD headlamps here:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/fiat-500-head-light-head-lamp-inc-motor-front-clear-low-beam-h7-2007-right-/160661735919?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item25682f89ef

Nissan doctor

LIGHTNING wrote: »

My 924 has this feature, there are two sets of screws by the headlights. One for up/down the other for left/right. The joys of popup headlights!

All cars have headlight alignment adjustment, that doesn't change the patern of the beam from lhd-rhd though.

Nissan doctor

LIGHTNING wrote: »

Ill shut my mouth in that case!

:P

keithclancy

Nissan doctor wrote: »

I must admit I've never seen it, although, I've never had reason to look.

I presume only certain cars with projector/hid lamps can do this as it would be impossible with reflector units.

Here it is from the online manual, my manual is in Dutch

dgt

Nissan doctor wrote: »

What cars have this feature?

My E34 has.

Heres a picture I stole

Basically you loosen a few screws and you can rotate the lens cutoff inside, for lhd or rhd (can just make it out in the pic).

sushmita

Piri wrote: »

My friend put the benders for himsef and got NCT without any problem
Go for another station or buy two RHD headlamps here:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/fiat-500-head-light-head-lamp-inc-motor-front-clear-low-beam-h7-2007-right-/160661735919?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item25682f89ef

I have the beam benders thanks, right beside my bag
Shall I try every garage in Dublin? Going back and forward garage/NCT?

L1011

Anyone who got through the NCT got through due to the tester not caring, realistically.

You'll save more money getting the correct lights than trying tens of tests. Beam benders are not a long term solution and indeed can be close to impossible to *remove* if you leave them on for too long.

Anan1

sushmita wrote: »

I have the beam benders thanks, right beside my bag
Shall I try every garage in Dublin? Going back and forward garage/NCT?

Just change the headlights, FFS.

sushmita

Instead of ordering items here and having them assembled there, could you tell me where I bring my car where they can order AND assemble the lights for me? I don't want ending up buying an item which is not good.
Probably not Fiat garage as they probably are very expensive.
Any suggestion?

L1011

Never used them, but there's a Fiat specialist that isn't a dealer in Finglas. Can do warranty work etc but isn't a sales outlet.

sushmita

MYOB wrote: »

Never used them, but there's a Fiat specialist that isn't a dealer in Finglas. Can do warranty work etc but isn't a sales outlet.

OK, and I can go or is it a secret place?

bijapos

My sister bought those stickers in Halfords and they fitted them for a couple of quid. It was an Irish car going on holidays so no NCT involved.

I had a camper van that was DOE'd (engineers report) here when I imported it, they also just stuck stickers on it.

OP: it sounds as if FIAT put them on wrong, so I'd look for a rebate off them. Either way there should be instructions on the stickers as to how to fit them and the place will be marked on the headlights.

If you don't want to drive around looking for a garage try Halfords, Advance or some other such place.

Wolverine_1999

Does this help?

http://www.fiatforum.com/500/179232-head-lamp-beam-adjustment-fiat-500-a.html#post1933000

L1011

bijapos wrote: »

My sister bought those stickers in Halfords and they fitted them for a couple of quid. It was an Irish car going on holidays so no NCT involved.

I had a camper van that was DOE'd (engineers report) here when I imported it, they also just stuck stickers on it.

OP: it sounds as if FIAT put them on wrong, so I'd look for a rebate off them. Either way there should be instructions on the stickers as to how to fit them and the place will be marked on the headlights.

If you don't want to drive around looking for a garage try Halfords, Advance or some other such place.

A rebate of €3 for a set of stickers isn't worth chasing up

If you passed the DOE with stickers it was also someone not keeping to standards. My work van got a DOE in Cork for the previous driver with wiper blades that couldn't clear the screen, each testing centre has its quirks and failings.

I checked that my memory that you *must* have the kick-out to the left for the NCT and its in the manual: http://www.ncts.ie/pdf/nctmanual.pdf

Stickers are not going to do, so stop trying and hoping you get a slightly incompetent tester.

Gene Hunt

I put my LHD Ford Sierra through an NCT with beam benders from Halfords NO BOTHER whatsoever ,I've had the car for years and never fitted RHD headlights.... !!!
OP there should be angled lines marked on your headlamps showing where to stick the beam benders however I would advise once their stuck on go and have your headlights adjusted.

slimjimmc

MYOB wrote: »

Anyone who got through the NCT got through due to the tester not caring, realistically.

You'll save more money getting the correct lights than trying tens of tests. Beam benders are not a long term solution and indeed can be close to impossible to *remove* if you leave them on for too long.

Beam masks are permitted and are even specifically mentioned in the NCT manual. So long as the beam meets the standard shown in the NCT manual they will pass, not because the tester was lax at his job.

Sec 31 NCT manual

If a vehicle is presented with left hand drive headlamps and beam masks, the masks must be installed to ensure they effectively block any light projection above the 0% horizontal reference line. This would then show a pattern similar to a mirror image of Fig. 2 and can be checked as on that guide.

PS the pattern referred to as Fig 2 is the flat wedge-less pattern produced by the British-American Type Headlamp.

OP, so long as you achieve the beam pattern and levels shown in the manual your lights will pass. Any garage capable of doing headlamp alignment should be able to set them correctly with the masks on.

L1011

slimjimmc wrote: »

Beam masks are permitted and are even specifically mentioned in the NCT manual. So long as the beam meets the standard shown in the NCT manual they will pass, not because the tester was lax at his job.

Sec 31 NCT manual


PS the pattern referred to as Fig 2 is the flat wedge-less pattern produced by the British-American Type Headlamp.

OP, so long as you achieve the beam pattern and levels shown in the manual your lights will pass. Any garage capable of doing headlamp alignment should be able to set them correctly with the masks on.

I fail to see how a Fiat Panda-platform cars headlamp can be made meet any of the patterns provided with masks, seeing as I have one parked outside and know what light it puts out.

Putting "benders" provides a virtually flat output but to the wrong side of what would be an LHD version of the NCTS pattern.

Sabre Man

There are several types of beam benders. Not all types work on every model.

Lucifer

I have fit beam benders to cars which have passed the NCT. The best way I find to fit them is to put the headlight beam setter up to the car and move the beam bender around until you block out the beam so it is flat.

Also my uncles 2004 E200 had headlights that could be used on LHD roads without beam benders, there was a lever that you could move to adjust it for left hand and right hand drive.

sushmita

OK my motor friends, here the situation.
After work I went to a Fastfit garage. The guy very kindly spent a good half an hour with my car, the machine and the stickers on his hands. He said that he would put the stickers more or less on the same place where the Fiat garage put them, with a slight better result, but not so good and he said he's not sure it will pass it. I asked him if he provide lights, he doesn't but he would fit them fo me.
He suggested me to go to Pitstop and try there as well. They don't put stickers. I asked again about RHD lights, he said they can provide and fit them but I need to leave the car (I couldn't today as I was there when they were closing) BUT they told me there's a risk that the RHD don't fit on a LHD 500 and he needs to check.
1) That's the reason why I don't want to buy lights from a shop and then find out I have to put them on the Xmas tree 2) I'm becoming seriously depressed 3) if I pass this bl@dy NCT I'll pay drinks for everybody, so please heeelp me!

Hotwheels

Wolverine_1999 wrote: »

Like someone mentioned above, it's possible to change the angle of the beam on some headlights to RHD.

Have you checked this?

Second that, the Alfa Romeo 159 has a lever to change beam patterns In the light housing. Not sure if its on other Fiat's, worth a look though could save a few bob.

colm_mcm

Why don't you just order the lights, if this car is to be in the country long term, why not get proper lights and worry about who'll fit them when you have them?

sushmita

colm_mcm wrote: »

Why don't you just order the lights, if this car is to be in the country long term, why not get proper lights and worry about who'll fit them when you have them?

I gave up the idea of having beam benders, and a guy today (a friend of a friend) who is a mechanic told me that for vehicles produced after 2005 (or Fiat vehicles) beam bender don't work. Now there's something more I know than the NCT guys
I'm just anxious that if the lights won't go either, then I'd really be stranded. Plus, now I'm using my car rarely, but in January I'll have to start commuting to reach my new job.
I'm praying for peace and calm into myself