Headlight dimmer on one side.

Heart Break Kid

Quick question regarding headlights on a 206 My driver side headlights are dimmer than the passanger side lights. Ive seen the same affect on other cars and i thought its meant to be like this so it doesn't blind cars coming the opposite way but not too sure.


Low Beams/Day lights 1st turn: Equal brightness.
Full Beams/Full Headlights: Passenger side brighter.
Fog Lights: Passanger Side brighter.

Does my driver side bulb need sorting?

Atlantic Dawn

I'd say one bulb was replaced and the other is old. Your best option is to replace both with 2 new bulbs to have them exactly the same.

visual

The alignment of headlights on low beam is dipped down more on the right than left on both headlamps. Some cars have the right headlamp dipped a little lower than left. This gives a beam pattern on road that has a longer reach on centre to left and shorter reach centre to right.

If you feel your beam patter is wrong get a light alignment. Cost about 20 to 25 euro in most garages

Both headlights us same bulb type so brightness is the same or should be. If you have dull right headlight something is wrong. Might be something simple like old bulb but more likely the reflector inside lamp is dirty or lens is discoloured. Another possibility is bad earth on drivers light.

On low beam the bulbs light doesn't directly go through headlight on to road instead it is reflected off the convex reflector to form your beam pattern that is projected on to road.
With lights switch off compare both headlights.

If new bulb fitted and lamps look the same then your chasing bad earthing or connection to bulb.

You need a volt meter or auto electric to test voltage at bulb.

CiniO

Heart Break Kid wrote: »

Low Beams/Day lights 1st turn: Equal brightness.
Full Beams/Full Headlights: Passenger side brighter.
Fog Lights: Passanger Side brighter.

I'm bit lost with that description.

You have following front lights in your car.

1. Sidelights also known as parking lights/position lights(1st turn) - they give very little light and are designed to be used when vehicle is parked in dark place. Not designed for driving with them, however many people do it.
2. Dipped headlight (2nd turn) - they are your normal everyday driving lights.
3. Full beam headlights
4. Fog lights.

Now - (1) have small 5W bulbs. I understand they give equal light.
(2) - is it those which give passneger side brighter or is it (3) or both (2) and (3)?
In some cars, (2) and (3) use the same bulb. In some they have separate bulbs.
(4) always have separate bulbs.

Heart Break Kid

CiniO wrote: »

I'm bit lost with that description.

You have following front lights in your car.

1. Sidelights also known as parking lights/position lights(1st turn) - they give very little light and are designed to be used when vehicle is parked in dark place. Not designed for driving with them, however many people do it.
2. Dipped headlight (2nd turn) - they are your normal everyday driving lights.
3. Full beam headlights
4. Fog lights.

Now - (1) have small 5W bulbs. I understand they give equal light.
(2) - is it those which give passneger side brighter or is it (3) or both (2) and (3)?
In some cars, (2) and (3) use the same bulb. In some they have separate bulbs.
(4) always have separate bulbs.

Sorry new to driving so bit iffy on descriptions

1st turn: Low lights/really low basic headlights as you described in (1)

2nd turn: Full Lights but dial can dip these lights up or down as described in (2) and (3)

Pull leaver towards me: High Beams/Fog or really dark used when no other cars on road as in (4).

From the second turn onwards the driver side is always dimmer by 1 turn than the passanger side.

Special Circumstances

Heart Break Kid wrote: »

Sorry new to driving so bit iffy on descriptions

1st turn: Low lights/really low basic headlights as you described in (1)

2nd turn: Full Lights but dial can dip these lights up or down as described in (2) and (3)

Pull leaver towards me: High Beams/Fog or really dark used when no other cars on road as in (4).

From the second turn onwards the driver side is always dimmer by 1 turn than the passanger side.

You've passed the theory test and you are driving on the road?????
Cmon man learn what your lights are and what they are for.
Fogs coming on when you pull stalk back???

biko

Special Circumstances, feel free to help at any time

OP, if you are viewing the car from the front the driver and passenger headlights (dipped or full) should appears the same brightness to you.
There could be an electrical issue or the bulbs are bad.

Try switching the bulbs from one side to the other, does the bulbs now appear dimmer on the other side? if so, change all bulbs with fresh ones and keep the old as spares.

Special Circumstances

biko wrote: »

Special Circumstances, feel free to help at any time

Learn what your lights are and how they work is a perfectly legitimate and helpful suggestion. It could actually prevent an accident.

Lessons are mandatory now right??? Tbh I have serious doubts about whoever is providing them if this is the result.

And I have serious doubts about the theory test if someone can pass it with only the foggiest idea of general car lighting.

Heart Break Kid

Special Circumstances wrote: »

You've passed the theory test and you are driving on the road?????

Nah, no insurance or tax either, sure why would i bother. Always drive on my own without a full licenced driver too.

I think at the start, i said somewhere I was new. Thanks for the input special.

Special Circumstances

Heart Break Kid wrote: »

I think at the start, i said somewhere I was new.

All well and good, we all have to start somewhere. I'm suggesting you start learning what your lights are and how they work ASAP. I really don't see the problem with that. Ask your instructor to explain how your lights work. If they can't offer a satisfactory explanation.. find another.

CiniO

Heart Break Kid wrote: »

Sorry new to driving so bit iffy on descriptions

1st turn: Low lights/really low basic headlights as you described in (1)

2nd turn: Full Lights but dial can dip these lights up or down as described in (2) and (3)

Pull leaver towards me: High Beams/Fog or really dark used when no other cars on road as in (4).

From the second turn onwards the driver side is always dimmer by 1 turn than the passanger side.

I'm still not sure if I get you right.

But if you say from second turn driver side is dimmer by 1 turn, that would mean that you have dipped headlight on passenger side and just sidelight on driver side. Which is short means your regular dipped headlight driver side bulb is gone.
Once you switch to full beam headligts, probably both sides lit up, but you're still missing drivers side dipped light, so the same reasons.

I'd say just go to the garage and ask them to check if all your bulbs are working.