dim headlights

davetingle · Post by **davetingle** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 5:35 pm

I recently got my bongo and the headlights do not illuminate the road in front at all well, either on main beam or dipped beam. Looking at the lghts from the front of the vehicle they seem to be at a normal brightness. Has anyone else had this ? I am considering fitting a set of hi-vis bulbs in the hope it will correct this

BongoMTBer · Post by **BongoMTBer** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 5:47 pm

I always thought my Bongo lamps were ok, well for Bongo speeds anyway.

Ralph · Post by **Ralph** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 5:51 pm

The main beam on ours is not bad but dip is poor.
depends what your used to we had a Fiesta that
had lights that made it possible to drive at night
as fast as in day light, our last car a Rover was
not any better than the Bongo.

paul9 · Post by **paul9** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 6:26 pm

these lights shine straight ahead,and not to the side like uk spec vehicles,i normally put 100/90 bulbs in, to get some more light and don't seem to dazzle anyone,if its the glass that is yellowy or dull try cleaning with toothpaste,beleive me it does work

Colin Lambert · Post by **Colin Lambert** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 6:55 pm

Be careful with more powerful bulbs. Mazda are renowned for only using wire thick enbough tfor legal bulbs. you may well have a burn out with 110/90's (which are illegal and will fail your MOT!)and also on warm winter nights TURN THEM off at even short stops as they get so hot that at best you may turn your lens yellow at worst you may melt them, 'cos they're plastic!
I found my facelift (which has better light) to be pretty pathetic & I bought the standard wattage but extra white bulbs. They made a vast improvement.

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 7:12 pm

The spring clip that holds the headlight bulb in place is barely up to the task on a bongo. It sounds like your headlight bulbs aren't sitting flush in the headlight aperture. If this is the case,the light can bounce of the bottom of the reflector,then bounce upwards,with a lot of light refraction that obliterates the defined beam.

Before you splash out on new bulbs, it may be worth checking that they are indeed sat properly in the headlight unit.

The connector for the headlights is quite tricky to remove and replace,its just possible to upset the balance of the bulb jiggling the connector back on....carefully replace the connector!

As a test, see how much movement there is in the bulb after the spring clip has been locked, you'll be suprised that the bulb will still quite easily move!

The Great Pretender · Post by **The Great Pretender** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 11:53 pm

Well I think my dip is bloody usless, but my mom always said 'that will send you blind'. WELL IT SENT ME DEAF, first.

Main beam is better.
I have a body kit from Samuri Performance waiting to be fitted (that maybe subject to a post on it's own) and was thinking about fitting the latest hi power driving lamps. Two in grill with dipped and two in bumper with main beam.

As big daddy is big.
Im The Great Pretender because I pretend im great.

coco bongo · Post by **coco bongo** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 12:07 am

Has anybody got a new battery you could try?. I had this problem with my Passat, and got super bright bulbs but it still wasn't bright enough.

The battery went kaput on boxing day, got a new battery as soon as i could, went for a drive at night and i could see everything.

I was kicking myself for that one, i was going around at night like that for ages. All for the sake of a battery.

Just a thought

davetingle · Post by **davetingle** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 8:22 am

thanks for the advice. I certainly will not be fitting hi wattage bulbs as I was aware of the the heat and wiring problem with them, I was thining of the Xenon. The Battery may be worth a try ..... Its a bu##er to get the bulbs out as the main battery is in the way one side and the leisure battery in the way the other side !

I did check the seating of the bulb but it may be worth another try

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 7:22 pm

I think i may have solved the problem for you davetingle.... The wheel balancing on the vehicle in your avatar is slightly out.... It may be shaking the bulbs loose!

Colin Lambert · Post by **Colin Lambert** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 12:07 pm

That's the least of his worries it appears to have shaken (that's the Japanese MOT btw) the back off it!

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 9:31 pm

It looks as if the avatar has shaken its way out of his computer too!...pity, i liked that...

brorabongo · Post by **brorabongo** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 9:40 pm

bigdaddycain wrote:It looks as if the avatar has shaken its way out of his computer too!...pity, i liked that...

Yeah, me too!!

The Halford's "Super brilliance" lamps, ( they were buy one get one free) are safe to use with plastic lenses. It is stated on the package. I have found them alot better then what was in originally.

David Edward has a thread on going called "Bright eyed bongo" check it out.

EDIT: heres the link... http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... hp?t=17851