Very poor lights on Honda accord 2005

Dan82 · 22-03-2013 11:57PM #1

Bought a 2005 accord 2.2 ctdi, love the car but one problem is the lights, when on full they are fine but dip lights are very poor, is this something that is known about the accord or is there something i could change, do they need a special bulb or something??

anyone with any advice would be great, cheers

Bpmull · 23-03-2013 12:00AM

It might be worth trying osram night breaker bulbs they are just a standard looking bulb but give alot more light. Mick garage and most place have them there about 20 euro for a pair.

randy hickey · 23-03-2013 12:04AM

I can't say I've noticed any problem with mine, (07 2.2),but heres a thread on this very topic on typeaccord;

http://typeaccord.co.uk/forum/topic/1508-is-it-just-me-or/page__p__18369__hl__dip+bulbs__fromsearch__1#entry18369

Dan82 · 23-03-2013 12:07AM

thanks will have a look for them blubs tomorrow and il have a look at that link now, hate driving at night and not having good lights and with weather we have at minute it can make things very difficult

-maccer- · 23-03-2013 12:08AM

Dan82 wrote: »

Bought a 2005 accord 2.2 ctdi, love the car but one problem is the lights, when on full they are fine but dip lights are very poor, is this something that is known about the accord or is there something i could change, do they need a special bulb or something??

anyone with any advice would be great, cheers

OP I have the same car and find the exact same thing. Full heads are fine but the dipped lights don't project light far enough in front of the car.

Would also be really interested to hear peoples advice.

Dan82 · 23-03-2013 12:17AM

Hid kits they speak about but they are a total convertion kit so wouldnt be mad on that but they say that "Xenon" bulbs make a major difference so i will be trying them tomorrow, cant keep going on with what i have, should i change my spots to Xenon too i wonder if im changing the dips????

Ardennes1944 · 23-03-2013 12:48AM

might aswell go for xenons. accords have projector headlights so they will be totally compatible and you dont have to lose the oem look if you go for 4300k bulbs

Dan82 · 23-03-2013 12:53AM

Ardennes1944 wrote: »

might aswell go for xenons. accords have projector headlights so they will be totally compatible and you dont have to lose the oem look if you go for 4300k bulbs

So its just a bulb i would be buying and replacing? nothing else, I'm reading loads of blogs on it and they have me all over the place, cheers

Ardennes1944 · 23-03-2013 01:30AM

nope, its a conversion kit so you need bulbs and ballasts (basically the thing that controls the power to hids) osram nightbreakers are just bulbs but tend to blow very quickly and are expensive. xenons will cost more but wlll provide the best light and last for a very long time.

bazz26 · 23-03-2013 02:45AM

randy hickey wrote: »

I can't say I've noticed any problem with mine, (07 2.2),but heres a thread on this very topic on typeaccord;

http://typeaccord.co.uk/forum/topic/1508-is-it-just-me-or/page__p__18369__hl__dip+bulbs__fromsearch__1#entry18369

The headlights in the 2003 to 2005 Accord were redesigned for the facelifted 2006 to 2008 Accord so the OPs are different to yours and Honda probably improved their effectiveness.

Dan82 wrote: »

Hid kits they speak about but they are a total convertion kit so wouldnt be mad on that but they say that "Xenon" bulbs make a major difference so i will be trying them tomorrow, cant keep going on with what i have, should i change my spots to Xenon too i wonder if im changing the dips????

Please don't fit one of those silly HID kits especially if the headlights have reflector lenses rather than projector lenses. There are enough muppets out there with their glaring bright blue lights blinding other road users. The world doesn't need another one.

Del2005 · 23-03-2013 05:02AM

Dan82 wrote: »

Bought a 2005 accord 2.2 ctdi, love the car but one problem is the lights, when on full they are fine but dip lights are very poor, is this something that is known about the accord or is there something i could change, do they need a special bulb or something??

anyone with any advice would be great, cheers

Have you adjusted the headlight level knob beside the steering wheel to zero? Was in my sisters car a while ago and her dipped beams where terrible, moved the knob and they are fine now. Is there any condensation inside the lenses and are they clean on the outside?

I've a 04 and while I didn't notice the lights where bad I did upgrade to night breakers as I drive on dark roads.

Ardennes1944 wrote: »

might aswell go for xenons. accords have projector headlights so they will be totally compatible and you dont have to lose the oem look if you go for 4300k bulbs

After market HIDs are going to be an NCT fail

. Where HID (High Intensity Discharge) bulbs are fitted switch on the headlights and check that cleaning devices such as headlamp
wipers or high pressure water jets are present and work. Check where possible that the headlamp levelling device is working.

4. HID headlamps must be installed as a complete type-approved system. The system will include automatic
cleaning. HID headlamps can be recognised by:
a) the light having a bluish tinge,
b) the light taking a few seconds to reach full intensity,
c) the headlamp having an igniter module/inverter behind the headlamp,
d) the headlamp having ”DC” (for HID dipped beam), “DR” (for HID main beam), or “DCR” (if both are HID)
marked on the lens. This marking should be visible from the exterior of the vehicle but in some cases
the markings may be hidden under the bonnet and this may need opening to obtain a clear view.

Ardennes1944 · 23-03-2013 10:16AM

Just take them out for the nct then like I did.

ongarite · 23-03-2013 10:30AM

Did my NCT with aftermarket HIDs two weeks ago without any problems or mentions of them.

kuro2k · 23-03-2013 10:48AM

You should look into getting your headlight wiring harness upgraded, no point putting in expensive bulbs if they aren't getting the power

I purchased a heavy duty harness for my toyota from the US last year, 100 EUR including postage. it was plug and play, the difference is amazing

-maccer- · 23-03-2013 05:39PM

Looking at the manual for my Accord (08 old model) it says the car takes H1 55W 12v bulbs for both dipped lights and heads. Putting my car reg into Micksgarage it suggests HB3 bulbs with no mention of H1's. Are HB3's interchangeable with H1's? If I were to buy a pair of H1 Osram nightbreakers from Micksgarage would they fit my car?

As ye may have gathered my knowledge of car bulbs is low! Thanks.

langdang · 23-03-2013 06:34PM

-maccer- wrote: »

Looking at the manual for my Accord (08 old model) it says the car takes H1 55W 12v bulbs for both dipped lights and heads. Putting my car reg into Micksgarage it suggests HB3 bulbs with no mention of H1's. Are HB3's interchangeable with H1's? If I were to buy a pair of H1 Osram nightbreakers from Micksgarage would they fit my car?

As ye may have gathered my knowledge of car bulbs is low! Thanks.

Check on autobulbsdirect. I would believe your manual over micksgarage!

-maccer- · 23-03-2013 06:39PM

langdang wrote: »

Check on autobulbsdirect. I would believe your manual over micksgarage!

Thanks, you are right, I will stick with the manual.

Dan82 · 23-03-2013 11:33PM

Got Philips x-tremeVision blubs today and they have sorted the problems I had, 25 euro in motor factor, get them if you have an issues , they made my accord a dream to drive tonight

-maccer- · 24-03-2013 12:44AM

Dan82 wrote: »

Got Philips x-tremeVision blubs today and they have sorted the problems I had, 25 euro in motor factor, get them if you have an issues , they made my accord a dream to drive tonight

I bought the exact same bulbs online earlier today (same price). Tried local motor factors but they only had standard bulbs. Look forward to trying them out when they arrive and glad to hear your ones are so good!

Dan82 · 24-03-2013 11:32AM

Well I had a vw golf before this and I found the lights very good, but with new blubs in accord I'd say they are even better than the golf and I was on back roads last night and it was misty so I'm sure you'll be very happy with them.

Very poor lights on Honda accord 2005

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