Headlight out of focus

[mycoolcar]

I took my car for a WOF today at an On Road NZ testing station.

It failed because the right headlight was "out of focus". Now I didn't even know you could focus headlights, so it was quite a surprise to me. The "officer" (if thats what you would like to call him) didn't really want to elaborate on what this meant. I asked if a mechanic would be able to tell me more and he nodded. So before I go taking it into a mechanic I thought I would ask here, can anyone elaborate on what this means for me? and possibly a way for me to try and fix it myself.

Thanks.

[Bling]

could be the alignment of the headlight, they can be adjusted in place, usually via screws etc to direct the beam of light to the correct place, eg so you're not beaming light right at on coming traffic, and NICE wof guy would adjust it for ya!!

[Adydas]

its as dumb as me failing for no water in the washer bottle, i mean COMON!! FFS by the time he wrote that down he could have filled it out or assumed i would when i left.

But he wasted his time and mine, Shit charge me $2 more for the water and labour to fill it and pass me. Shesh

[Alex B]

Nah its different to the headlight alightnemt. Had that problem with my corolla, couldn't really find a way to fix it, just played with the bulb which made it slightly better.

[l1ttle_d3vil]

yeah WOF guys seem pretty weird when it comes to headlights...

I needed mine adjusted after I lowered my car.
i was given a sheet from the WOF manual explaining how the lights should be setup and told "the public aren't supposed to have this or see it"...when asked how joe bloggs is supposed to know how the lights are supposed to be aligned he didn't really have an answer - "just guess"

sounds pretty weird, but IIRC im sure thats how it was. it was awhile ago though...

as for your problem - maybe try cleaning the lens or something?? is there any condensation or anything weird like that on the side??

[sergei]

It could be due to wrong light bulb, or light bulb incorrectly fitted...

[Lloyd]

The headlight reasons for failure are there for a reason. just because some of you dont think its important doesn't make it so

The focus can be because of many things. Soemtimes the alignment is out enough that the pattern becomes wrong, sometimes the bulb is the issue, the way the bulb is sitting in the holder, deterioration of the relector inside the light, damage to the lens etc etc

The headlights are setup to give a very specific pattern thats supposed to be at a set level. It prevents blinding of other drivers amongst other things. The light intensity is also focused to certain parts of the road, with the focus out it changes the intensity and location of it if the alignment is wrong.

[B ROWDY]

Man, what a weiner, we always adjust them and I used to work for On Road, they specialise in old crusty should be retire mechanics

[mycoolcar]

The lens isn't broken or anything, no noticeable condensation on it either. The bulb is defiantly the right type because its the one that came with the car and the other headlight (which there are no issues with) is working fine. The car is a 92 Toyota Corolla btw, ee90, so has h4 bulbs in it (can't remember the wattage).

I'll take the bulb out and have a look at it when I get some time, and have a play around with fitting it back in then go for a recheck.

Thanks for your help

And if anyone else has and idea feel free to comment!

[sergei]

BTW pattern should look like this if you shine against the wall:

_\____\__

[Mr.Phreak]

Find a white wall with reasonably level ground in front of it, you'll soon see if if the alignments out or if it's out of focus. ( Alot easier to see at night for obvious reasons )

[mycoolcar]

Had the day off today so played around with the bulb. I wasnt too sure what you meant by the _\____\__ thing, but after about 10 mins of playing around I saw that pattern on the wall in front of the car.

The difference between the focused light and unfocused light on the wall was huge, its sorted now, just have to take it for a retest.

One more question, are rechecks free? and is there a limit to the number of times it can be rechecked? (provided they are all done before the date the WOF is due to expire).

[Ae92typeX]

One more question, are rechecks free? and is there a limit to the number of times it can be rechecked? (provided they are all done before the date the WOF is due to expire).

as many as like within the 30 day period.
...probably looks better if you do as few as possible however.

[Mr.Phreak]

One more question, are rechecks free?

Should be, as long as it's within 28 days of the reject ( I think it's 28 )

[Ae92typeX]

yeah, 28, sorry typo...was just thinking basically month in head
28 days from first inspection

[mycoolcar]

Awesome as. Reason I asked was the guy also didnt like the fact I had no carpet in the car... apparently the edges of the metal on the driveshaft tunnel are sharp and therefore dangerous.... Yeah Right.

I'll take it back with no carpet and see if they pass it.

[B ROWDY]

They will try anything to fail you if they are wankers, and yeah 28 days, not a month like most people think, and its free