Hey everyone, I feel like this has to be a known effect but I couldn't find it in a quick search through existing threads.
I have a 2013 Mustang GT premium (HID/Xenon stock headlights) with 171,000 miles. My headlights show a decreased intensity at distance, though bulbs themselves remain bright. Due to a minor incident a few years ago I did have to replace one of the headlights with an Ebay one. This was a mistake, as I'm pretty sure the previous owner hit a deer, as it smelled strongly of burning meat the first time I turned it on and the HID bulb had actually carved (burned) a section of the retaining ring out to the point that the bulb cannot be seated correctly (perpendicular to the ground) when installed. My issue is that even with new DS3 bulbs (Diode Dynamics) and switching around the ballasts (one is original, other is Dorman replacement) the effect is the same. The headlights turn on fine, illuminate the bulbs well but the light pattern/scatter is very diffuse. I cannot fully aim the one side (due to the angling) and both sides are missing the external portion of the vertical adjustment screw. With a screwdriver, I can still adjust the OEM headlight and it does move the "beam" up and down, making me think the alignment isn't the core issue (at least on the OEM one).
My question is then, is it likely that the lens/projector itself is unable to focus the beam into an appropriate pattern to be used, and is the best/only fix to get a new housing (which would then actually replace the projector/lens)? I have been hesitant to pursue this since OEM housings are ludicrously expensive ($800-1500 depending on when I've checked, vendor, etc) and until last year I haven't seen any OE style replacement options on the aftermarket. Finally, someone has made cheaper ones (see LMR and American Muscle) for closer to $400 a piece. I still have the factory fog lights in the grille which suffice for my normal driving (I drive this car very rarely now, and always during the day) but I want to get this problem sorted for a longer road trip in September.
So far I have:
Thank you for anyone with experience on this issue and insight to offer
I have a 2013 Mustang GT premium (HID/Xenon stock headlights) with 171,000 miles. My headlights show a decreased intensity at distance, though bulbs themselves remain bright. Due to a minor incident a few years ago I did have to replace one of the headlights with an Ebay one. This was a mistake, as I'm pretty sure the previous owner hit a deer, as it smelled strongly of burning meat the first time I turned it on and the HID bulb had actually carved (burned) a section of the retaining ring out to the point that the bulb cannot be seated correctly (perpendicular to the ground) when installed. My issue is that even with new DS3 bulbs (Diode Dynamics) and switching around the ballasts (one is original, other is Dorman replacement) the effect is the same. The headlights turn on fine, illuminate the bulbs well but the light pattern/scatter is very diffuse. I cannot fully aim the one side (due to the angling) and both sides are missing the external portion of the vertical adjustment screw. With a screwdriver, I can still adjust the OEM headlight and it does move the "beam" up and down, making me think the alignment isn't the core issue (at least on the OEM one).
My question is then, is it likely that the lens/projector itself is unable to focus the beam into an appropriate pattern to be used, and is the best/only fix to get a new housing (which would then actually replace the projector/lens)? I have been hesitant to pursue this since OEM housings are ludicrously expensive ($800-1500 depending on when I've checked, vendor, etc) and until last year I haven't seen any OE style replacement options on the aftermarket. Finally, someone has made cheaper ones (see LMR and American Muscle) for closer to $400 a piece. I still have the factory fog lights in the grille which suffice for my normal driving (I drive this car very rarely now, and always during the day) but I want to get this problem sorted for a longer road trip in September.
So far I have:
- Changed bulbs (OEM still illuminate, seem reasonably bright) between OEM DS3 and Diode Dynamics DS3.
- Changed ballasts (OEM and Dorman replacement)
- Swapped headlight assemblies with the components above
- Played extensively with headlight alignment settings/adjustments.
Thank you for anyone with experience on this issue and insight to offer
