Headlights Dim ?

bigdog · 02-10-2024, 07:43 PM

My headlights appear very dim. Even when I put on high beams.
I replaced my battery last Oct. which was purchased and installed by my local
mechanic. The car electronic there are no issues with battery charging.

FYI, vehicle us a 2016 F-150 XLT V6 Eco-Boost engine, with 48k miles.

Thoughts on what's going on here ?

Thanks !

John Mercier · 02-10-2024, 08:18 PM

I would skip the warning lights and have the battery and alternator checked.

tummyman · 02-10-2024, 08:57 PM

Have you had your eyes checked recently for cataracts????? Long shot, but it may be a contributor.

fatlazyless · 02-10-2024, 09:31 PM

For 26.88 the Walmart tire lube centers in Plymouth or Tilton, appointment needed, will clean and restore both sun damaged headlight lens, or you can get a Sylvania headlight restoration kit for $21.75 and do-it-yourself.

Poor Richard · 02-10-2024, 10:52 PM

If the headlight switch has an automatic on feature, try moving the switch to manually on and see if that changes anything.

Have the bulbs been replaced at any point in time and if so, are you certain they were exact replacements with regards to wattage?

Are the lenses getting hazy?

ApS · 02-11-2024, 05:38 AM

My headlights got dim together, but the reason would be obvious when showing to a viewer.

Over time, the reflective material inside has been flaking off. (There's a very thin layer collecting on the inside-bottom). I look at the situation as my counterbalancing the over-bright headlights of approaching cars.

That said, I think it's your headlight switch circuitry that's gone bad.

The Real BigGuy · 02-11-2024, 07:29 AM

If both lights dimmed at the same time it points to an electrical issue. The chances of two bulbs going bad at the exact same time is extremely remote. When I had the issue 15 - 20 yrs ago it was something to do with alternator circuitry

Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Biggd · 02-11-2024, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog

My headlights appear very dim. Even when I put on high beams.
I replaced my battery last Oct. which was purchased and installed by my local
mechanic. The car electronic there are no issues with battery charging.

FYI, vehicle us a 2016 F-150 XLT V6 Eco-Boost engine, with 48k miles.

Thoughts on what's going on here ?

Thanks !

Usually when lights are working but dim it's a bad ground connection somewhere. If it's just the headlights, then it's probably under the hood. I'm a retired auto mechanic of 50 years.

bigdog · 02-11-2024, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Real BigGuy

If both lights dimmed at the same time it points to an electrical issue. The chances of two bulbs going bad at the exact same time is extremely remote. When I had the issue 15 - 20 yrs ago it was something to do with alternator circuitry

Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

If I recall, he last time I had AAA come to jump-start my vehicle,
they indicated that the Alternator was working OK, and that battery was the problem. The tool they used to perform this check looked like a battery pack ?

Is this the same type of system check they do in a shop ?
I suspect the shop used more sophisticated equipment ?

Another thought, could this be a fuse related issue, not getting proper ground?

Thoughts ?

Resident 2B · 02-11-2024, 10:40 PM

Halogen bulbs dim over time, so I suspect it is the bulbs. I have a 2011 SUV and I just replaced my dimming bulbs with LEDs. Wow, what a difference. I have a battery and charging system checking device and all tested OK.

I hope this helps.

R2B

VitaBene · 02-13-2024, 08:53 AM

Are you reading 13.8 VDC or so when running?

VitaBene · 02-13-2024, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog

If I recall, he last time I had AAA come to jump-start my vehicle,
they indicated that the Alternator was working OK, and that battery was the problem. The tool they used to perform this check looked like a battery pack ?

Is this the same type of system check they do in a shop ?
I suspect the shop used more sophisticated equipment ?

Another thought, could this be a fuse related issue, not getting proper ground?

Thoughts ?

They likely load tested the battery but I wonder if they tested the alternator output as well. a new battery can mask an alternator problem.

KPW · 02-20-2024, 08:29 PM

Are the lens clear?

bigdog · 02-21-2024, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KPW

Are the lens clear?

Both Lens appear to be clear !

retired · 02-22-2024, 12:07 PM

I would take it to Neil's Laconia Auto on south main street, Laconia. He will be able to diagnose the problem and fix it.

songkrai · 02-28-2024, 09:53 PM

Well.
What was the solution ?

bigdog · 03-01-2024, 07:20 PM

Haven't taken to repair shop yet. Will report back after that review.

02-10-2024, 07:43 PM	#1
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,410 Thanks: 307 Thanked 117 Times in 94 Posts	Headlights Dim ? My headlights appear very dim. Even when I put on high beams. I replaced my battery last Oct. which was purchased and installed by my local mechanic. The car electronic there are no issues with battery charging. FYI, vehicle us a 2016 F-150 XLT V6 Eco-Boost engine, with 48k miles. Thoughts on what's going on here ? Thanks !

02-10-2024, 09:31 PM	#4
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,525 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 295 Thanked 957 Times in 698 Posts	For 26.88 the Walmart tire lube centers in Plymouth or Tilton, appointment needed, will clean and restore both sun damaged headlight lens, or you can get a Sylvania headlight restoration kit for $21.75 and do-it-yourself. __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

02-11-2024, 05:38 AM	#6
ApS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida (Sebring & Keys), Wolfeboro Posts: 5,788 Thanks: 2,084 Thanked 742 Times in 532 Posts	Headlight Circuitry... My headlights got dim together, but the reason would be obvious when showing to a viewer. Over time, the reflective material inside has been flaking off. (There's a very thin layer collecting on the inside-bottom). I look at the situation as my counterbalancing the over-bright headlights of approaching cars. That said, I think it's your headlight switch circuitry that's gone bad.

02-20-2024, 08:29 PM	#13
KPW Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 378 Thanks: 710 Thanked 116 Times in 58 Posts	Lens Are the lens clear?

02-22-2024, 12:07 PM	#15
retired Senior Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: Belmont, NH Posts: 56 Thanks: 0 Thanked 21 Times in 10 Posts	Mechanic I would take it to Neil's Laconia Auto on south main street, Laconia. He will be able to diagnose the problem and fix it.

02-10-2024, 08:18 PM	#2
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 2,973 Thanks: 2 Thanked 529 Times in 435 Posts	I would skip the warning lights and have the battery and alternator checked.

02-10-2024, 08:57 PM	#3
tummyman Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 779 Thanks: 233 Thanked 631 Times in 228 Posts	Have you had your eyes checked recently for cataracts????? Long shot, but it may be a contributor.

The Following User Says Thank You to fatlazyless For This Useful Post:
TCC (02-11-2024)

02-10-2024, 10:52 PM	#5
Poor Richard Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: The humbling river Posts: 301 Thanks: 42 Thanked 78 Times in 55 Posts	If the headlight switch has an automatic on feature, try moving the switch to manually on and see if that changes anything. Have the bulbs been replaced at any point in time and if so, are you certain they were exact replacements with regards to wattage? Are the lenses getting hazy?

02-11-2024, 07:29 AM	#7
The Real BigGuy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,108 Thanks: 108 Thanked 410 Times in 244 Posts	If both lights dimmed at the same time it points to an electrical issue. The chances of two bulbs going bad at the exact same time is extremely remote. When I had the issue 15 - 20 yrs ago it was something to do with alternator circuitry Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

02-11-2024, 10:40 PM	#10
Resident 2B Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Shore, MA Posts: 1,352 Thanks: 987 Thanked 310 Times in 161 Posts	Halogen bulbs dim over time, so I suspect it is the bulbs. I have a 2011 SUV and I just replaced my dimming bulbs with LEDs. Wow, what a difference. I have a battery and charging system checking device and all tested OK. I hope this helps. R2B

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Resident 2B For This Useful Post:
bigdog (02-12-2024), fatlazyless (02-16-2024)

02-13-2024, 08:53 AM	#11
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,530 Thanks: 1,570 Thanked 1,601 Times in 821 Posts	Are you reading 13.8 VDC or so when running?

The Following User Says Thank You to bigdog For This Useful Post:
KPW (02-24-2024)

02-28-2024, 09:53 PM	#16
songkrai Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 725 Thanks: 35 Thanked 145 Times in 98 Posts	Well. What was the solution ?

The Following User Says Thank You to songkrai For This Useful Post:
VitaBene (02-29-2024)

03-01-2024, 07:20 PM	#17
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,410 Thanks: 307 Thanked 117 Times in 94 Posts	Haven't taken to repair shop yet. Will report back after that review.