Headlight brightness problems - Mazda 6 Forums : Mazda 6 Forum / Mazda Atenza Forum

ski&bike_SPEED6 · 01-01-2013, 07:08 PM

For the last year or so, I've been noticing a steady decline in the brightness of the HID headlights in my speed6. They seem to only shine about 20 feet out in front of my car and need to drive everywhere with my high beams. I was wondering if there were any options I could do to fix this problem besides bring my car to Mazda for a new pair of oem headlights(did that two years ago). I'm at a complete loss and it's almost dangerous to drive at night now so any suggestions would be helpful! Thanks

Final Impact · 01-01-2013, 07:29 PM

Is it the actual brightness or the aim? This can be deceiving.

Have you adjusted them properly, does yours have the level control on the left side (dash thumb wheel)?

If you don't have the manual, there is suitable information here: Headlight Adjustment 2005-2007

ski&bike_SPEED6 · 01-01-2013, 07:50 PM

I believe it is the actual brightness of the low beams. This is because the driver side light looks significantly dimmer when just looking straight at the car. That side also does not shine nearly as far.

As for the level control, I do have that on the left side of my wheel, and it is the most upward position. But I am going to follow the link you just posted and see if there is anything there that will help, although i don't believe that is the problem.

Thanks for the tips!

prdracing · 01-01-2013, 09:43 PM

Not to sound like a smartass, but are the lenses clear? Cloudy lenses can make a huge difference.

TiGraySpeed6 · 01-01-2013, 10:09 PM

-> many report the stock Speed6 lights suck and modify to use Acura lights in the Speed6 housings

-> The default location for the headlight level adjustment is high as it gets
- - > Do you see a change from both lights that corresponds to each level available from the switch? Want to be sure the mechanism is functioning

-> +1 on the lenses, clear is better

-> It might simply be time for new bulbs. They do fade over time. How many miles on your Speed?

ski&bike_SPEED6 · 01-01-2013, 10:22 PM

Thanks for all of the replies!

There are about 104k on my car, but only about 20k since I got new bulbs.

I would be very interested in switching to Acura lights. Is there any info on how this is done/where to get them/ and estimated cost of the modification?

TiGraySpeed6 · 01-01-2013, 10:26 PM

http://forum.mazda6club.com/2632904-post196.html

HOW TO: TSX Projector Retrofit (pics working)

TSX Retrofit (In Progress)

Tons of info out there

mmceorange · 01-01-2013, 11:25 PM

You say 20k since new Bulbs.. Your ballasts may also be dying.

prdracing · 01-02-2013, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmceorange

You say 20k since new Bulbs.. Your ballasts may also be dying.

Yeah good call. If the ballasts are the original 104k units, it may be time for replacements.

IHeartGroceries · 01-02-2013, 12:56 PM

Metal halide lamps suffer from degradation after so many service hours, where efficacy begins to errode.

Assuming the lense is clean, and there is nothing obstructing the projector, or no condensation or anything in the housing, then new lamps, NOT ballasts, should restore some ouput.

However, as already noted here, the stock projectors are a total joke. A TSX retro is a breathtaking transformation, even when keeping the stock lamps and ballasts.

01-01-2013, 07:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
ski&bike_SPEED6 Learners License Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 6 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 1 Post(s) iTrader: 0 reviews	Headlight brightness problems For the last year or so, I've been noticing a steady decline in the brightness of the HID headlights in my speed6. They seem to only shine about 20 feet out in front of my car and need to drive everywhere with my high beams. I was wondering if there were any options I could do to fix this problem besides bring my car to Mazda for a new pair of oem headlights(did that two years ago). I'm at a complete loss and it's almost dangerous to drive at night now so any suggestions would be helpful! Thanks

01-01-2013, 07:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
Final Impact Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: USA, OR Posts: 1,231 Thanks: 417 Thanked 331 Times in 239 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 23 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s) Quoted: 194 Post(s) iTrader: 0 reviews	Is it the actual brightness or the aim? This can be deceiving. Have you adjusted them properly, does yours have the level control on the left side (dash thumb wheel)? If you don't have the manual, there is suitable information here: Headlight Adjustment 2005-2007 __________________ 2006 Mazda 6s GS Hatchback, Lapis Blue \| AJ 3.0 & AW6A-EL 6 Spd >79,000 If this post helped you, "thanks" never hurts.. .. ..

01-01-2013, 09:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
prdracing Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 242 Thanks: 32 Thanked 34 Times in 32 Posts Groans: 1 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 41 Post(s) iTrader: 1 reviews	Not to sound like a smartass, but are the lenses clear? Cloudy lenses can make a huge difference. __________________ 2006 Velocity Red Mica MS6 #06475 1994 Probe GT http://forums.probetalk.com/showthread.php?t=1701300497

01-01-2013, 10:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
TiGraySpeed6 Mazda Guru Join Date: May 2008 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 4,844 Thanks: 1,892 Thanked 2,280 Times in 1,525 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 5 Times in 5 Posts Mentioned: 64 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s) Quoted: 229 Post(s) iTrader: 1 reviews	-> many report the stock Speed6 lights suck and modify to use Acura lights in the Speed6 housings -> The default location for the headlight level adjustment is high as it gets - - > Do you see a change from both lights that corresponds to each level available from the switch? Want to be sure the mechanism is functioning -> +1 on the lenses, clear is better -> It might simply be time for new bulbs. They do fade over time. How many miles on your Speed? __________________ Mazdaspeed6 GT #3476 TiGray slicktop bolted & tuned by my own hand 405/394 AWD - cf1.01 BNRs3 315/372 AWD - cf1.01 k04

01-01-2013, 10:26 PM	#7 (permalink)
TiGraySpeed6 Mazda Guru Join Date: May 2008 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 4,844 Thanks: 1,892 Thanked 2,280 Times in 1,525 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 5 Times in 5 Posts Mentioned: 64 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s) Quoted: 229 Post(s) iTrader: 1 reviews	http://forum.mazda6club.com/2632904-post196.html HOW TO: TSX Projector Retrofit (pics working) TSX Retrofit (In Progress) Tons of info out there __________________ Mazdaspeed6 GT #3476 TiGray slicktop bolted & tuned by my own hand 405/394 AWD - cf1.01 BNRs3 315/372 AWD - cf1.01 k04

01-01-2013, 07:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
ski&bike_SPEED6 Learners License Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 6 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 1 Post(s) iTrader: 0 reviews	I believe it is the actual brightness of the low beams. This is because the driver side light looks significantly dimmer when just looking straight at the car. That side also does not shine nearly as far. As for the level control, I do have that on the left side of my wheel, and it is the most upward position. But I am going to follow the link you just posted and see if there is anything there that will help, although i don't believe that is the problem. Thanks for the tips!

01-01-2013, 10:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
ski&bike_SPEED6 Learners License Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 6 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 1 Post(s) iTrader: 0 reviews	Thanks for all of the replies! There are about 104k on my car, but only about 20k since I got new bulbs. I would be very interested in switching to Acura lights. Is there any info on how this is done/where to get them/ and estimated cost of the modification?

01-01-2013, 11:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
mmceorange Mazda Guru Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Southeast NH Posts: 3,998 Thanks: 793 Thanked 786 Times in 643 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 82 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 689 Post(s) iTrader: 0 reviews	You say 20k since new Bulbs.. Your ballasts may also be dying. __________________ 2006 Mazda 6s GS \| Hatchback \| Tungsten Gray My Me Thread \| The Great Mazda Mountain Climb \| My 6 Thread

01-02-2013, 12:56 PM	#10 (permalink)
IHeartGroceries Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 4,987 Thanks: 1,170 Thanked 1,104 Times in 683 Posts Groans: 3 Groaned at 6 Times in 6 Posts Mentioned: 7 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 65 Post(s) iTrader: 0 reviews	Metal halide lamps suffer from degradation after so many service hours, where efficacy begins to errode. Assuming the lense is clean, and there is nothing obstructing the projector, or no condensation or anything in the housing, then new lamps, NOT ballasts, should restore some ouput. However, as already noted here, the stock projectors are a total joke. A TSX retro is a breathtaking transformation, even when keeping the stock lamps and ballasts.

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