Headlight issues

[drcarlos]

Having a bit of a nightmare with my headlights. Lights were dull so got some night breakers, better but not wonderful, actually mildy terrifiying and I got the odd flash so thought the beams were out of alignment.
Last week I used the wifes van to mark out a beam pattern on the garage door. The chimaera was out in one light so I looked for adjusters and there were none! Took the cowls and lens off and the bowl (in really good condiotn) was glued in, but also the bulb was mis located (my mistake when doing the james herriot fitting). While I was there I cleaned that bowl and lens. I refited the lens and the beam pattern was spot on and it was much brighter. So I did the passenger side but discovered a badly worn bowl when I cleaned it (ordered a used replacement from ebay which arrived and raised a question). I put it back together and it again was better but didn't match the other side due to the bowl.

Beam pattern was good so I thought I'd go for a drive, lights do really light up the road now in the correct way but I'm getting flashes all over the place, so I did a quick test with the wife as a guinea pig driving art me and they are overbright to the point of dazzling now (not directed at the oncoming traffic just too bright).

So a couple of questions, so I am assuming the rudimentary beam alignment check is correct (two mechanics have advised that this is the way they do it if they aren't an MOT place) so alignment (despite the lack of adjusters) is not the issue. When the new bowl was delivered it came with a small metal cover for the bulb (checking the lads corsa there's one on his dipped beam bulb too) but both of my current ones don't have covers, should they as I've seen the new bowls with them but some older lights in pictures don't?

https://partsfortvrs.com/tvr-parts/part-details/tv...

If so does anyone know when I can get one for my old good bowl (also what are they called???)?

I guess the night breakers could just be too bright as well so I could go back to the standards, failing that I'll need to remove the bowls and glue and get the fitment kit. The screws, springs and wingnuts are easy to get from RG, but the rubbers and little metal spigots not so easy.

or I could have a go at a lupo light conversion.

My suspicion is that it's the missing metal bulb covers combined with the brighter bulbs is causing glare and I just need another cover but I could be wrong. So before I go and spend more money advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Carl.

[Steve_D]

The cover ensures only part of the beam goes out and is directed into the dip pattern so yes it does need to be there.
I very much doubt you will find one unless someone has changed their for new and put the old ones under the bench. quite why we keep stuff we know is scrap I don't know but we do.
For clarity..NO I through mine away.

Steve

[drcarlos]

Steve_D said:

The cover ensures only part of the beam goes out and is directed into the dip pattern so yes it does need to be there.
I very much doubt you will find one unless someone has changed their for new and put the old ones under the bench. quite why we keep stuff we know is scrap I don't know but we do.
For clarity..NO I through mine away.

Steve

Thanks, logically in my mind I thought it was the issue. Hopefully the book of faces will yield someone with either an old bowl complete with the cover or just the cover.

[Belle427]

The headlamp design on these cars does baffle me!
The Mk3 conversion has grown on me but I do still prefer the original look.