I'm wondering if there's any way, without taking off the front bumper, to adjust the level of the headlights on my '03 S? It seems that the passenger headlight beams lower than the driver. It may not be that big of a deal, but it bugs me and I need some help. Any suggestions?

 

Sears craftsman #41296 Phillips Screwdriver or it's equivalent is what you need. (it's 12" long).

I don't remember the whole procedure, but you're supposed to measure 25' from the centering mark on the headlight to the wall, then asjust your beams to x height (on a level surface).

If you look in the engine compartment, you will see a hole that leads right to the headlight beam adjuster. That is where you put the screwdriver. When you use the aforementioned tool, it is easy as 1-2-3!

-Pete

PS- Get a service manual! All of the specs are in there.

 

Thanks for the info. I've got the manual but am too lazy to go through it. I'll look at it and see what I can find.

- 4Motto

 

One headlight is supposed to be lower than the other so that you dont blind oncoming traffic. Check that out before you go adjusting them. This is why the JDM lights are not really suitable for the US market. The lights are opposite due to driving on the other side of the road.

 

Clockwise to raise the beam, counter-clockwise to lower. Count teeth on the adjustment tab while turning it and apply the same adjustment to both sides to maintain the factory difference in beam height as Austblue pointed out.

 

The beam pattern is supposed to look like this:
L: ____-------- R: ____--------

You can see the pattern at night against a wall. You should see something like:
____--------____--------

if you're comparing the top ------- of the left to the bottom _____ of the right, it might look like the right side is lower than the left but that's how it's supposed to be.

 

Do a search. Look for the thread by Woodwork. He's a Honda engineer and he's written up the 'how to' on this a couple times.

 

Thanks for the info everybody. A couple of things... I checked the manual and it doesn't tell how to adjust the lens, but rather to take it to a dealer. Also, I couldn't find any holes where I could even try to use a screwdriver to adjust them - I think it changed from the '02 to the '03 model. Second, it does appear that the passenger's beam is a bit higher when driving (which does make sense for oncoming traffic), but when looking at them from the front, the angle appears to be lower. Doesn't make any sense, unless it's a "reverse reflection" thing, which it probably is. I guess it's no big deal, but it's one of those pet-peeve things. Thanks anyway.

- 4Motto

 

4Motto-

First of all, my post says "service manual", I believe you are looking in the owner's manual.

Second- of course the adjusting holes are there! You need to take your time, and use a flashlight to look into the holes to see the adjusters. I also mentioned that you need a 12 inch screwdriver- that means the adjusters are way in there.

Third, all you need to do is look in the website library, all of the info, including pics are there.

https://www.s2ki.com/article/articleview/39/1/29/

Fourth, it sounds like nothing is wrong with your beam pattern. You might want to begin reading more about the car, before you start changing things.

Sometimes it's difficult to find the info, but it's all here.

-Pete

 

gotta keep this thread in my bookmarks