DIY:01-03 Headlight Aim Adjustment 56K WARNING
Thread Starter
Registered!!
iTrader: (29)
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,526
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
Rep Power: 322 
DIY:01-03 Headlight Aim Adjustment 56K WARNING
This is a DIY on how to adjust your headlight beams.
I know some of you with HID's are having problems aiming them and some of you just want to know exactly how to aim the headlights so I decided to do this.
Please note that since I have HID’s, those of you with stock lights will see a different beam than shown in the pics but the directions don’t change.
Also note that most of the pics don’t represent exact measurements, but were created to give you a better idea. I was using mspaint and not having pics to scale didn’t help.
NOTE: Coupe housings do not have an adjustment gear for left/right aim.
You will need the following:
1. A stolen towel from the MGM Grand (or something to cover one headlight housing)
2. A long Phillips head screwdriver (mine is 8” long)
3. A flashlight (not mandatory, but helps)
4. A tape measure (or something that can go 25ft.)
First, you need to find yourself a dark, flat, open area with a wall that’s hopefully white.
Using your tape measure, move your car back so that it is 25ft away and perpendicular to the wall.
With the tape measure running down to the middle of the car, draw a vertical line on the wall to represent the center or middle.
Now you need to take 3 measurements:
1. Measure end to end using the middle of the headlight bulbs as the ends.
2. From the ground up to where the bulb is.
3. From one end to the center of the car.
I took some measurements but they are only estimates because I didn’t have a friend to help me on this part.
1. Roughly 44 inches.
2. Roughly 22 inches.
3. Roughly 37 inches.
Using the vertical line you drew on the wall as the centerline, draw lines using the measurements you took.
DRAW MEASUREMENT 2 2 INCHES LOWER THAN MEASURED.
Now to show you guys how to adjust the beam left/right and up/down.
These directions relate to the driver’s side. For the passenger side, just flip the left/right directions regarding where to find the gears.
First, let’s find the gear to adjust the beam left and right.
The gear is on the left side of the housing. It may be hard to find because the frame of the car is blocking it. The screwdriver has to be put through a hole on the frame to reach.
The following pics should explain it all.
If you look closer at the housing, you’ll notice that molded into the housing are 2 arrows with L and R next to them to show you which direction does what.
Turning the screwdriver clockwise moves the beam left.
Turning the screwdriver counterclockwise moves it right.
Now to find the gear to adjust up/down. This is on the right side of the housing.
You’ll also notice that there is a picture molded near the gear.
Turning the screwdriver clockwise moves the beam up.
Turning the screwdriver counterclockwise moves it down.
Now that you’re all prepared and know what to do, lets aim them.
The lines drawn on the wall is going to be used to aim the beam.
The following picture shows how you need to aim them.
Cover one housing with the towel so you can see/find the cut off lines better.
With HID’s in a NON-HID housing, finding the cut off lines is very hard / almost impossible. I drew cut off lines higher than they really are so you can see better.
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Both Sides
Something you should know
The headlight bulbs aren’t held in place with Superman tightness. They can move left and right. This might be a factor as to why your beam might not look as good. The video BulbMovement available for download at the link at the bottom shows you what I mean.
This applies for any bulb, HID or stock or aftermarket H4. How to correct it?
Sorry, I’m not sure about this one. Don’t have time to check. Someone check and tell me.
Now on to some pics to show off the HIDs =)
Camera 25 feet away on the ground
Camera about 6 feet right
Camera about 6 feet left
Intense glare!!!
Drivers seat
You can go HERE and d/l some videos I made.
HID = Camera 25 feet away on the ground.
HIDHighLow = Camera 25 feet away on the ground with me flicking the high beams.
HIDWall = Camera in drivers seat with me flicking the high beams.
I know some of you with HID's are having problems aiming them and some of you just want to know exactly how to aim the headlights so I decided to do this.
Please note that since I have HID’s, those of you with stock lights will see a different beam than shown in the pics but the directions don’t change.
Also note that most of the pics don’t represent exact measurements, but were created to give you a better idea. I was using mspaint and not having pics to scale didn’t help.
NOTE: Coupe housings do not have an adjustment gear for left/right aim.
You will need the following:
1. A stolen towel from the MGM Grand (or something to cover one headlight housing)
2. A long Phillips head screwdriver (mine is 8” long)
3. A flashlight (not mandatory, but helps)
4. A tape measure (or something that can go 25ft.)
First, you need to find yourself a dark, flat, open area with a wall that’s hopefully white.
Using your tape measure, move your car back so that it is 25ft away and perpendicular to the wall.
With the tape measure running down to the middle of the car, draw a vertical line on the wall to represent the center or middle.
Now you need to take 3 measurements:
1. Measure end to end using the middle of the headlight bulbs as the ends.
2. From the ground up to where the bulb is.
3. From one end to the center of the car.
I took some measurements but they are only estimates because I didn’t have a friend to help me on this part.
1. Roughly 44 inches.
2. Roughly 22 inches.
3. Roughly 37 inches.
Using the vertical line you drew on the wall as the centerline, draw lines using the measurements you took.
DRAW MEASUREMENT 2 2 INCHES LOWER THAN MEASURED.
Now to show you guys how to adjust the beam left/right and up/down.
These directions relate to the driver’s side. For the passenger side, just flip the left/right directions regarding where to find the gears.
First, let’s find the gear to adjust the beam left and right.
The gear is on the left side of the housing. It may be hard to find because the frame of the car is blocking it. The screwdriver has to be put through a hole on the frame to reach.
The following pics should explain it all.
If you look closer at the housing, you’ll notice that molded into the housing are 2 arrows with L and R next to them to show you which direction does what.
Turning the screwdriver clockwise moves the beam left.
Turning the screwdriver counterclockwise moves it right.
Now to find the gear to adjust up/down. This is on the right side of the housing.
You’ll also notice that there is a picture molded near the gear.
Turning the screwdriver clockwise moves the beam up.
Turning the screwdriver counterclockwise moves it down.
Now that you’re all prepared and know what to do, lets aim them.
The lines drawn on the wall is going to be used to aim the beam.
The following picture shows how you need to aim them.
Cover one housing with the towel so you can see/find the cut off lines better.
With HID’s in a NON-HID housing, finding the cut off lines is very hard / almost impossible. I drew cut off lines higher than they really are so you can see better.
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Both Sides
Something you should know
The headlight bulbs aren’t held in place with Superman tightness. They can move left and right. This might be a factor as to why your beam might not look as good. The video BulbMovement available for download at the link at the bottom shows you what I mean.
This applies for any bulb, HID or stock or aftermarket H4. How to correct it?
Sorry, I’m not sure about this one. Don’t have time to check. Someone check and tell me.
Now on to some pics to show off the HIDs =)
Camera 25 feet away on the ground
Camera about 6 feet right
Camera about 6 feet left
Intense glare!!!
Drivers seat
You can go HERE and d/l some videos I made.
HID = Camera 25 feet away on the ground.
HIDHighLow = Camera 25 feet away on the ground with me flicking the high beams.
HIDWall = Camera in drivers seat with me flicking the high beams.
very nice!!!!!!!!! I have a 2001 coupe, but i don't have that metall round piece that you turn on your headlight with the screw driver 
it's in the same place but more like like a plastic bolt
it's in the same place but more like like a plastic bolt 
great post, im gonig to do this tonight! ive been fighting my headlights to get a good adjsutment. also how are you sopposed to aim fog lights? as it is now mine are blinding on comming traffic...
Registered!!
iTrader: (4)
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,617
Likes: 0
From: 562/909, California, US
Rep Power: 0 the headlight he used for DIY is an aftermarket Headlight .... i used to have the same one
for OEM, i think you can only adjust the up and down ... and i do not know how to adjust for left and right
for OEM, i think you can only adjust the up and down ... and i do not know how to adjust for left and right
Thread Starter
Registered!!
iTrader: (29)
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,526
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
Rep Power: 322 My headlights are the same OEM stock housings that came from the factory. If you look at the pictures you'll notice the horrible re-chaulking job after I've opened them up twice. Once for clearing and another for blacked out housings.
I have a Sedan. Maybe Coupe owners have it different. It you guys do then sorry, I guess this doesn't really apply to you guys.
For the guy that asked about the plastic bolt: I had the same plastic covers. I ripped them out. You can do the same. Wait, you said you had a coupe. Then I'm not sure.
I have a Sedan. Maybe Coupe owners have it different. It you guys do then sorry, I guess this doesn't really apply to you guys.
For the guy that asked about the plastic bolt: I had the same plastic covers. I ripped them out. You can do the same. Wait, you said you had a coupe. Then I'm not sure.
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 15,682
Likes: 2
From: VA
Rep Power: 436 
If there's a white plastic piece covering the gear for the left/right adjustment, then you have to take out the headlight and pull it off...I learned that the extra hard way (melted it in the oven, then tried to pry it off...almost broke the damn thing.).
The Beez Kneez
iTrader: (15)
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 0
From: Und3Rgr0unD
Rep Power: 315 Originally posted by pLaYa6tNine
man if some1 made something like this for the tyc projections it would be soooooo tyte!!
but nice job on this DIY man!
man if some1 made something like this for the tyc projections it would be soooooo tyte!!
but nice job on this DIY man!
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
Bricoleur
I.C.E. (Audio) & Electrical Upgrades
4
Sep 9, 2015 12:23 PM
MamaBear2015
7th Generation Civic 2001 - 2005
6
Sep 4, 2015 09:04 PM
02, 2001, 2002, 2005, 98, adjust, adjusting, adjustment, aiming, civic, headlight, headlights, honda, lights, measurements
