Headlights upside down?

[KevAndAndi]

I've driven our Spider once in the dark, and the headlights were quite a puzzle. It seemed to make the most sense for the high/low beam selector to be low=up (parallel to the turn signal "at rest") and high=down, but the headlights appeared to be the opposite. With the selector up, the lights shone at a higher angle; with the selector down, they illuminated at a lower angle - but more brightly!

I just noticed that the writing on the headlights (the words "SEALED BEAM") is upside down. Does this solve my mystery? I'm guessing that the writing shouldn't be upside down! Is this another one of those wonderful PO "fixes"? Anyone heard of such a thing?

[toplessexpat]

That would do it. Also check the buckets themselves aren't upside down.... I *think* the units are keyed by three tabs .... It would be terrible if they could only be fitted upside down!

[spider2081]

My head light bulb writing is correct side up and parallel to the ground. I would first check to see if your bulbs are in the buckets and keyed correctly. As mentioned the sealed beam bulb has 3 keys on it that fit into openings in the bucket. The bulb fits correctly in one position only. While you have the bulbs out your could look at the buckets. I believe the wire harness exits the bottom of the bucket and the spring for the adjustment plate in on the bottom.

[toplessexpat]

Take a look at the rear of the lamp. There are three pin outs, arranged into a square with one open side. If the open side is at the bottom, all is well. If it is at the top - it's upside down

[KevAndAndi]

Thanks, folks. I will take a look. If necessary, I will re-orient the headlights as a stopgap until I replace them. But assuming I haven't already overscheduled my winter upgrades and repairs, I will hopefully replace the sealed beams soon, with H4 Cibie headlights. I would also like to install a headlight relay kit. Does anyone know if the relay kit is "plug and play" with modern headlights such as the Cibie?

[bradartigue]

I would do the following:

- Get the headlights on correctly and test them.
- Install the relay system and test it.
- Install the H4 lenses and test them.

I would not combine these three activities because you're mixing up priorities. You know the things work now, so just get them straight and they should still work, then install the relays and they'll work better, then (once you know the relays are working with the headlamps that were already working), put in the new ones. Mixing things up is asking for problems.

[KevAndAndi]

I would do the following:

- Get the headlights on correctly and test them.
- Install the relay system and test it.
- Install the H4 lenses and test them.

I would not combine these three activities because you're mixing up priorities. You know the things work now, so just get them straight and they should still work, then install the relays and they'll work better, then (once you know the relays are working with the headlamps that were already working), put in the new ones. Mixing things up is asking for problems.

Thanks, Brad, that is a very good point.