2002 Elantra, headlight alignment

Discussion in 'Hyundai Elantra / Lantra' started by Rob, Dec 16, 2006.

  1. Rob

    Rob Guest

    I have a 02 Elantra that I purchased about 1 1/2 months ago. The
    headlights are all over the place. Where are the adjustment screws to
    adjust them? I have looked all over but cannot find anything.

    Thanks, Rob
     
    Rob, Dec 16, 2006
    #1
  2. Have you changed the bulb(s) recently? If so, there's a good possibility
    that you have one of both of them in upside down, as it's very easy to
    do (actually, it can difficult NOT to put them in incorrectly). Before
    making any adjustments, take the headlight assemblies out and check that
    the bulbs are in correctly. Also, make sure that the headlight
    assemblies are reinstalled correctly, particularly at the bottom where
    they have a peg that fits into a plastic sleeve in the frame. These two
    things fix ~99% of Elantra headlight aiming issues.

    There is an adjustment for the elevation of the headlights. It's a black
    screw at the top of the headlight assembly, between the covers for the
    high and low beam lamps.
     
    Brian Nystrom, Dec 17, 2006
    #2
  3. Rob

    Rick Guest

    How do you KNOW if the bulb is upside down or not? I replaced the
    right low beam bulb recently, without removing the headlight assembly,
    and found there is no way to tell from feel if the bulb in in the right
    place or not. There is no "locating mechanism" in the design. When I
    slide the bulb in there, there is no detent or slot to line up with or
    snap into place.

    I took out the good bulb on the left side to see if I could tell how it
    was installed. Now BOTH headlights are out of alignment. One points
    up, the other down.

    There is a little tab on the flange of the bulb. Does it go at the
    top, or the bottom?

    Thanks,

    Rick
     
    Rick, Dec 17, 2006
    #3
  4. Rob

    Wayne Moses Guest

    Reply to message from "Rick" <> (Sun, 17 Dec 2006 13:09:
    34) about "Re: 2002 Elantra, headlight alignment":

    R> How do you KNOW if the bulb is upside down or not? I replaced the right
    R> low beam bulb recently, without removing the headlight assembly, and
    R> found there is no way to tell from feel if the bulb in in the right
    R> place or not. There is no "locating mechanism" in the design.

    The flange of the H7 bulb is flat in one place and has a tab that fits into
    a slot in the hole in the reflector. The tab and slot are supposed to be
    oriented at the bottom pointing downward.

    Best Regards
    Wayne Moses <> Sun, 17 Dec 2006 18:53:24 -0600

    === Posted with Qusnetsoft NewsReader 3.3
     
    Wayne Moses, Dec 18, 2006
    #4
  5. Rob

    Rob Guest

    No, I have not changed the headlights, they were that way when I bought
    the car used. I do not have an owners manual for this car. How do you
    change the headlights, and in reference to Rick's question how do you
    know which way is the correct way? Assuming that someone put one in
    wrong (right low beam seems really low), how can I tell if the high
    beams are installed correctly? If you or someone out there has a link
    as to how to replace Hyundai headlights correctly I sure would
    appreciate it.

    Thanks, Rob
     
    Rob, Dec 18, 2006
    #5
  6. There's a strong possibility that the original owner installed the bulbs
    incorrectly.
    Go to www.hmaservice.com , sign up for a free account and you'll be able
    to access all the maintenance manuals for the car online at no charge.
    Also, if you call Hyundai Customer Service, I'll be they'll send you an
    owner's manual and maintenance log at no charge.
    It's not very likely that the high beam bulbs have been replaced, since
    they're not used nearly as much. Both bulb types are keyed to their sockets.
    See Wayne's post. You can also go to the Elantra Club website and look
    in the DIYs. http://elantragtclub.tripod.com/elantra/
     
    Brian Nystrom, Dec 18, 2006
    #6
  7. Rick, I have a 2002 Elantra. BOTH of my son's (low beam) headlights burned
    out late last week, and I had to replace them both (have been using the
    Sylvania SilverStar, which has made a huge difference in the brightness of
    the headlights, but which, unfortunately, have a relatively short bulb
    life).

    That 'tab' you refer to is to go UP, not down. If you hold the bulb by its
    electrical connectors (the only way you are supposed to), and keep spinning
    the bulb around, eventually, you will find the proper detent, and you will
    see (especially from the outside) that it is in correctly.

    When I replaced both headlights, the notch was straight up, and the
    connectors on the back of the headlight were one straight on top of the
    other. They look right, they are aimed right, and they work great. Sadly,
    the only way you know it to look at the bulb from the outside, through the
    lens. Also, you will have a bit of a time getting the retaining spring back
    on if it is not on right. And bluntly (thoough this is subjective), it just
    won't feel right.

    Having a Kia Sedona minivan that uses the same headlights, and the same
    logic, this job is getting simple for me.

    Hope this helps.

    Tom Wenndt
     
    Rev. Tom Wenndt, Dec 18, 2006
    #7
  8. Rob

    Rick Guest

    I asked if the H7 bulb should be installed with the flat part of the
    flange with the tab facing up or down. I received one reply saying UP
    and one reply saying DOWN.

    Would anyone care to cast the tie breaking vote?

    Thanks,

    Rick
     
    Rick, Dec 19, 2006
    #8
  9. They should face inward on both lights.
     
    Edwin Pawlowski, Dec 19, 2006
    #9
  10. Rob

    hyundaitech Guest

    This is going to be confusing because Hyundai changed the headlight design
    somewhere around 2003 or 2004, if I recall correctly. The way I tell is
    to remove the dust cover and look into the back of the lamp. If the flat
    edge is at the top, the tab goes there. If it's at the bottom, that's
    where the tab will go.

    When looking into the front of the lamp to see if the bulb is installed
    correctly, you should be able to see the bulb in the hole in the
    reflector. It should be flush with the front of the hole and even all the
    way around the circumference.
     
    hyundaitech, Dec 19, 2006
    #10
  11. Rob

    Rob Guest

    Thanks for all of your help. Unfortunally my head is too large to fit
    in that small space behind the headlight, therefore I can barely see
    the back of the headlight when the dust cover is removed. I took one
    responders advice and removed the entire headlight assy from the car
    and was then able to see how the lights were installed and held in
    place. Next time it will be a much easier task. Yes the right low beam
    light was installed upside down (tab goes up, quite obvious when you
    can see all the way in).

    Once again, Thanks to all and Merry Christmas

    Rob
     
    Rob, Dec 20, 2006
    #11
  12. Rob

    VicTek Guest

    A tool that might help you next time is a mirror on the end of a telescoping
    handle. No home mechanic should be without one <g>

    Here's an example:

    http://www.shop.com/op/~Lisle_Magne...ion_Mirror-prod-17014194-23916500?sourceid=57

    Merry Christmas to you, too!
     
    VicTek, Dec 20, 2006
    #12
  13. Rob

    MidnightGray Guest


    For what it's worth, the tab faces downward on my 2003.

    The comment about making sure the flange is flush in the hole i
    important and that may be the problem. It is possible to install th
    bulb with the tab correctly seated in the slot, seat the tensio
    spring, and still have the bulb slightly cocked in the housing. Havin
    done it myself unintentionally, I know it can happen if you don'
    verify that the bulb flange is fully seated before you button thing
    up. The easiest way to check it may be to look at the bulb itsel
    through the headlight lens and make sure that the angle of the bulb i
    pointing straight ahead and isn't angled up, down, or to either side
     
    MidnightGray, Jan 4, 2007
    #13
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