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Subject Topic: Vectra Headlights Post Reply Post New Topic
24/5/2006 at 5:54pm
 Location: Knebworth Hertfordshire
 Outfit:  Vauxhall Insignia SE
View Vic Wildish's Profile View Profile   Reply to Vic Wildish Reply   Quote Vic Wildish Quote  
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I'm off to Southern Brittany in a couple of weeks but before I go I need an answer to this little poser.

I drive a 2004 Vauxhall Vectra and I will need to fit headlight beam adjusters to it to divert them the other way for continental use.

However there are no markings on the headlight lenses to indicate where the beam adjusters should be placed.

How do you overcome the problem? I was at my local Vauxhall dealer this morning and he told me that I would have to have the headlights reconfigured. This seems pretty drastic to me not to mention expensive.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. How have any other "new shape" Vectra owners got round this one?

Cheers!

Vic


24/5/2006 at 6:05pm
 Location: Wirral
 Outfit: Nothing but we are caravan hunting
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Hi Vic

We bought a kit last year from Halfords and the leaflet gives you all the configurations for different headlight types. Ours are also plain glass with no lines or marks to line up your beam bender like the older headlights but the diagrams show you exactly where to place the beaam bender using the centre of the bulb as a marker.

It was very easy to do and I never got any nasty flashes from french drivers so it must have been ok. You will probably find the Vectra on that list. The same kit was also available in the shop at the Port in Dover.

Carol



24/5/2006 at 6:07pm
 Location: Oxfordshire
 Outfit: Swift charisma
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We had to do that on our vectra when we went to france.  When you buy the beam adjusters it will tell you on the packet where to stick them on the lights.  We bought ours from halfords.


24/5/2006 at 6:12pm
 Location: Knebworth Hertfordshire
 Outfit:  Vauxhall Insignia SE
View Vic Wildish's Profile View Profile   Reply to Vic Wildish Reply   Quote Vic Wildish Quote  
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Thanks a lot guys.

I didn't think of Halfords? I thought the problem may be too specific.

Doh!

Vic


24/5/2006 at 6:42pm
 Location: Devon
 Outfit: None Entered
View Big Blunderer's Profile View Profile   Reply to Big Blunderer Reply   Quote Big Blunderer Quote  
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There is usually a "mark" on the headlamp which is the datum point that is used in Mot's


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24/5/2006 at 10:00pm
 Location: Brigg North Lincolnshire
 Outfit: Outwell Montana 6P
View Andy R's Profile View Profile   Reply to Andy R Reply   Quote Andy R Quote  
Joined: 20/9/2004

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The last lot of headlamp beam deflectors I got had some interesting instructions - that the best way is to park about a metre away from a wall, so you can see the beam on the wall.   Then hold the deflector in place over the headlamp and move it around.   It will be in the correct position when it diffuses the brightly lit spot on the wall, spreading the beam out.   The instructions also say that the actual position is not that critical, if you follow the above instructions.   My last car was a Vectra, and present is a Renault Scenic - both with no markings on the headlamps.   I've just bought Metro "beam benders" from a store on ebay - £5.99 and will fit them like this.   It's pretty poor that there's no better solution than having to buy these things every time and fit them.   My father in law's Omega has a switch on the headlight that moves the beam for driving abroad - what a great idea!   

Another thing you could do is buy clip-on headlamp protectors (about £30) and fit the continental beam deflectors to them, so you don't have to fork out for new beam benders every trip (pays off after 5 trips assuming you don't change your car!).


29/5/2006 at 8:53am
 Location: Up the Boro
 Outfit: avondale perle argos custom 91
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hi

couldnt resist replying to your query

i travel on the continent regularly both in a car and a lorry and my answer is.... dont bother! the foregners dont when they come over here!

simple.



29/5/2006 at 11:02am
 Location: Brigg North Lincolnshire
 Outfit: Outwell Montana 6P
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Quote: Originally posted by bazmoore on 29/5/2006

hi

couldnt resist replying to your query

i travel on the continent regularly both in a car and a lorry and my answer is.... dont bother! the foregners dont when they come over here!

simple.




True - but I've heard the stories about the Gendarmes doing spot checks and people ending up with instant fines... plus, I don't fancy a head on collision with an oncoming driver who was blinded by my lights!


29/5/2006 at 8:05pm
 Location: rugby
 Outfit: Bailey Pegasus+642
View les + june's Profile View Profile   Reply to les + june Reply   Quote les + june Quote  
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   Vic

   Which Vectra is it you drive?

 

     les



-------------
The worst day fishing is better than the best day working



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