Insanely DIM headlights on 1998 T&C?

[dave_in_delaware]

I was wondering if anyone else has seemingly dim headlights on their minivan?

There are times when I'm driving at night, and I say to myself "Holy crap! I don't have my headlights on!" and go to turn them on, only to find that they already are on.

They barely light up the immediate 10 feet in front of my van.

Are the bulbs burning out? Is there a semi-short in the electrical system? Is it the plastic covers over the lights? Do I need to change my bulbs to something brighter?

[AzTraveller]

I was wondering if anyone else has seemingly dim headlights on their minivan?

There are times when I'm driving at night, and I say to myself "Holy crap! I don't have my headlights on!" and go to turn them on, only to find that they already are on.

They barely light up the immediate 10 feet in front of my van.

Are the bulbs burning out? Is there a semi-short in the electrical system? Is it the plastic covers over the lights? Do I need to change my bulbs to something brighter?

For starters, this evening, turn them on and go out and take a look at them. Do they actually look dim? OR is it the lens scratched up to the point they are so diffused, the light doesn't shine where it should. If they are actually dim, you probably have a bad ground, and or connection. Check you wiring and connectors. if it's the lens and they are diffused, there were comments on another thread about how to polish up the lenses using a little tooth paste, or polishing cream, and a rag to buff with. there are also some kits out with very fine grit wet sanding paper and instructions on how to polish them up.

[dave_in_delaware]

Thanks AzTraveller! I'll "inspect" them tonight and see what's what.

[johneo50]

dave, I have a 1996 grand voyager that had the same problem. thought I was going blind. Its called headlight cataracks ( lens dulling) I did a three step process that FIXED the problem by 1000%. step 1. dry sand the lenses with course aluminum oxide sanding block sanding horizontally on lenses from top to bottom. step 2. wet sand with a rubber sanding block and 1500 grit wet sand paper. rinse off lenses and repeat step 2 until lenses look 90% to new lens look. step3. use plastic lens polish with a clean dry cloth or purchase a small buffing wheel and a cordless drill ( i used drill and had better results than hand rubbing) and viola!!! new lenses to improved safe night driving. sand block and wet paper and buffing wheel buy at home depot/lowes. polish buy at auto zone/advance auto. total cost approx. $20.00 total time to fix 30 min. at most. this is by far an easy DIY verses buying new lenses ($149.00 per lens). hope this helps you out. It did for me.

[V8Pacer]

Hi Dave, my lenses on my 94 were so bad that maybe only 40% of the light from the bulb was penatrating through. I was driving almost blind @ night.After I did a really good lens cleaning (compond & very fine grit paper) I could see amazingly.No need for new bulbs

[Jeepman]

I was wondering if anyone else has seemingly dim headlights on their minivan?

There are times when I'm driving at night, and I say to myself "Holy crap! I don't have my headlights on!" and go to turn them on, only to find that they already are on.

They barely light up the immediate 10 feet in front of my van.

Are the bulbs burning out? Is there a semi-short in the electrical system? Is it the plastic covers over the lights? Do I need to change my bulbs to something brighter?

There's a lot of criticism about the brighness of the Generation 3 headlights at the best of times. With the oxidation that occurs on the lens, they can get fairly yellow/dim.

For starters take some toothpaste with whitener in it - put it on, let it dry, and buff it off OR use some scratch doctor product (Nu Finish Scratch Doctor, for example - clear coat scratch remover - removes surface scratches, swirl marks, haze) and see if that doesn't make a tremendous difference.

The above are basically buffing compounds. My Son uses toothpaste on his 1995 Caravan with great success. Two Guys Garage apparently did the toothpast cleaning on Spike for all to see: http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/sho...=261223&page=2

Here's some relevant information on application of the various compounds and polishes, including toothpaste:
http://www.carspace.com/guides/Healing-Hazy-Headlamps

HOWEVER

There is another school of thought, and it makes sense, such as found at http://reviews.ebay.com/Cleaning-Res...00000000945494

Here's the Pittman video - looks so simple.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYJlIqFz6sM

Next, replace your bulbs with those high intensity types, that blind everybody coming toward you, and you are on your way.

[V8Pacer]

Product I have used is called BlueMagic Headlight Lens Restorer.This product was also Two Guys Garage.

[dkf747]

Here's the Pittman video - looks so simple.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYJlIqFz6sM

Is that stuff for real? Will it really work that well? We used one of those kits (permatex, I think) from the Auto Parts store and it took alot of effort, and the results were not as good as desired.

Next, replace your bulbs with those high intensity types, that blind everybody coming toward you, and you are on your way.

!We put Silverstar Ultra's in when the light went out and it has made a huge difference

[Jeepman]

Is that stuff for real? Will it really work that well? We used one of those kits (permatex, I think) from the Auto Parts store and it took alot of effort, and the results were not as good as desired.


!We put Silverstar Ultra's in when the light went out and it has made a huge difference

My sense is that the Pittman stuff will work fine for the oxidation but may not for the pitting and scatches experienced in the real world of road salt and sand on the highways (equivalent to sandblasting).
Anybody out there with experience with the Pittman fix?
Here's some opinions on Yahoo: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?q...9215351AAKHqRY

[biometrics]

On Ebay for less than $85.00 shipping included! I am sure they are not OEM, but they have to be better than home-polished lenses...

1997 97 Chrysler Town & Country Grand Headlight Pair
FREE SHIPPING - Brand New Certified Quality Part -Boxed

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1997-...Q5fAccessories