Headlights really dim

[Stormwalker]

My headlights are really dim. You can barely tell they are on when you are in the car driving. It has always been this way. I cleaned the grounds, and put new harnesses on for the headlights to no avail. The car has a 3G alt conversion, so amps should not be an issue. Does anyone have any ideas what I should check?

[mnstang]

keep it simple, check voltage at the power wire with headlights on. then, check the ground side for a voltage drop.
then, report your findings.

[walied]

I would check all the wires and fues box.....make sure every thing is where it should be.........................












I do not know what I'm talking a bout but I like to try....

[Joe Goebbel]

Disconnect your bulb and test your voltage with the bulb removed. If the voltage is were it should be, then you probably have a bulb with the wrong ohm value. If your voltage is not where it need's to be then you need to figure out what all is in the light bulb's ciruit. Once you figure out whats in the light bulb circuit, I would disconnect everything one by one until your light bulbs are at the proper brightness. Once they turn bright you found the voltage robber. When you find the voltage robber circuit. you will need to analize that circuit (grounds, connectors etc..).

[lilstang5O]

you got underdrive pullies on it? If so thats very common then.

[KickAssFlash]

Dude one of your lights is out. When you were behind me tonight I saw that and forgot to tell you.

[Macs Stang]

ownage on the lights.

yea i was gonna say that one of your lights looked pretty dim last night.

[Zenix]

Did you check the headlight switch assembly?

[Stormwalker]

Well, see, that's the thing. One seems to be dimmer than the other. The side that is dimmer is the side the car was hit long ago. However, the volts are normal (had this tested by Mills Ford, but quite a while ago). So it is either the cheap "blue" headlights I bought at some crappy auto parts store, or it is a grounding issue (but I cleaned and rewired the grounds!). I am going to try to replace the bulbs themselves next, but it is pretty dim and I have my doubts that this is the problem, especially since one side is dimmer than the other.. Perhaps something changed with the volts since Mills tested it. It is kind of a mystery to me. But first things first, I will replace the bulbs to get the simplest troubleshooting item out of the way.

PS, no the car does not have underdrive pulleys, and probably never will.

I am not sure I replaced the headlight switch or not, I remember doing it, but it might have been on my last mustang that I did that on.

[mnstang]

you need to get a multimeter to test it, otherwise you just keep throwing parts at it.

[Joe Goebbel]

I agree, you can test the bulb to see what ohm rating it is. If both lights have the same ohm rating that probably is not your problem. Wait a sec. If you have blue colored headlights, that is a huge problem! Your Mustang is revolting against you. It's saying, "put some normal freaking bulbs in man!"

[Joe Goebbel]

Just had another thought. Take your blue lights out. Ohm them out with a multimeter. Goto the auto parts store and have them bring out some normal light bulbs and ohm them out. See how close the ratings are. If they are way different. That is more than likely your problem.