So I put a new set of Clear Black CE AE headlights, Everything looked great but when I took my Max out at night and turned on the headlights, the light output
looked like it was cut in half. I took a closer look at the new headlights and saw that the new ones DON'T have the little cover that goes over the bulb when you insert it, like the first (stock) picture shows. It looks more like the second pictrue. It's just a hole that goes striaght through? Should I get a different kind of bulb or is there a way to alight the lights? Has anyone had this problem. Any input would be good, especially from the ones who have this type of housing.......

 

I would guess that would be a huge problem. I thought the entire purpose of that reflector was to spread the light throughtout the headlamp for spreading the light output. I would say maybe you could fabricate this using the old stock lamps. Or sell the CE and DIY on the stock ones. Sorry to hear tho. Sucks that CE doesnt tell you that before you put down the big bones for them.

 

I would contact CE and see about a replacement or a refund.

 

[/quote]Sucks that CE doesnt tell you that before you put down the big bones for them.[/quote]


Exactly, they're nothing but trouble....

 

there must be a reason for this, cuz i'v seen people with HID's do it, but Im not sure, MAN THIS IS KILLING ME!!!!

 

the ce headlights don't use the same reflector design as the stock 97-99's, that's why that bulb cover isn't there. i can't comment on the output of the lights, though, i haven't seen them. did you aim the lights after installing them? you'll almost certainly need to.

 

Well if the reflector design is different then you might not even need the cover. Try reaiming again and see what happens. Maybe some higher wattage bulbs may help too.

 

Yeah, I have to do something , cuz I spent way to much money for these not to be all they should be.....I think Im gonna open them up and put my stock reflectors from my stock housing, cuz this is rediculous!!!!!

 

I remember someone here earlier with these lights having the same problem. He fixed it by re-aiming them on his garage door until the beam pattern was at the height and concentratiion that he wanted. Even posted pictures which you might be able to locate in the archives.

 

I don't know how you would re-aim them becuase they go into the slot only one way for them to lock in.....am I missing something....

 

Do you know how to aim your headlights? You cant adjust the bulb you adjust the headlight itself. There 2 rods sticking out on the back of the headlight with a black plastic piece on it. You adjust those.If you didnt aim your headlights that is probably the reason for your poor visibility.


Here I copied this from the stickies.

The adjustment bolt closer to the parking/corner lights (outboard of the vehicle) is for the up/down aiming of the headlamp. The one further inboard is to control the right/left aiming of the lamp. You'll need a 10mm wrench to perform the aiming task.

To do the height adjustment, park your car so that the headlamp lens faces are about 25 feet from a wall. This wall should be perpendicular to the ground and level in all aspects. Measure the distance from the center of your headlamps to the ground. Mark this dimension on the wall. From this mark, move down 3.75" to 4" and make another mark. Begin to turn the adjustment bolt so that the centers of your low beam patterns land on that second mark that you made. As for your right to left adjustment, mark the centers vertically and aim so that they point straight out. Bear in mind that sometimes adjusting the right/left bolt can change the setting of the height adjustment slightly.

 

WOW I HAD NO IDEA YOU COULD DO THAT!!! Im gonna try that out tonight. Do you have the whole stickies? does it have pics?

THANKS Mxrider52 YOUR THE MAN!!!!!!

 

No, There is no pictures that is the whole article from the stickies. If you can find those 2 rods. Your set. The rest is pretty simple.

 

let us know how it goes, i was thinking about picking these lights up at some point if the output is good.

 

I will.....

 

Well I did the adjustment and low and behold that was it! I can't say Im totally thrilled with the output but it's basically back to where it was before I changed the housing, so Im happy...worth the price...mmmm maybe. I would say try to do your stock AE's first and if that doesn't work out then buy these, cuz thats what happened to me....

Thanks again guys!

 

I agree with stagnet. Don't buy the lights till you try the mod first. There is no point in dropping $200 for the light if you can make them yourself. Heres mine and the light output is great with my 9007 upgrade.