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Odd Low Beam Pattern with new 9005 Halogens

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Hello everyone. I replaced both low beam bulbs on my 2018 Pacifica Touring Plus with 62K miles after one burned out. Put in Sylvania Ultra 9005 Halogens. Output is not what was expected. See picture. There are dead zones (little to no light), and an odd diagonal area of light. Main beams don't project very far. The low beam lenses look foggy (as if someone smeared Vaseline on the inside surface. I doubt it is moisture. OEM bulbs did not create a pattern like this. "Foggy low beam lenses" come up a few times on this site and some responses imply foggy lenses are covered under warranty. I know Chrysler Care Representatives monitor this site, so here's my question: My Van has Chrysler's Maximum Care 5/100 Extended Warranty. These lenses are not specifically called out in that contract that I can tell. Are they in fact covered? .

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It looks like the bulbs weren't installed properly. Try taking them out and moving them - looks almost like only 2 of the 3 tabs are seated and the bulb base isnt flush
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That was my first thought also. And I did remove/reinstall. That said, this weekend I'll remove access cover and insert a small (1 inch diameter) examination mirror and check to insure the bulb connector is flush against headlight assembly. Thanks Chockomon.
Hello everyone. I replaced both low beam bulbs on my 2018 Pacifica Touring Plus with 62K miles after one burned out. Put in Sylvania Ultra 9005 Halogens. Output is not what was expected. See picture. There are dead zones (little to no light), and an odd diagonal area of light. Main beams don't project very far. The low beam lenses look foggy (as if someone smeared Vaseline on the inside surface. I doubt it is moisture. OEM bulbs did not create a pattern like this. "Foggy low beam lenses" come up a few times on this site and some responses imply foggy lenses are covered under warranty. I know Chrysler Care Representatives monitor this site, so here's my question: My Van has Chrysler's Maximum Care 5/100 Extended Warranty. These lenses are not specifically called out in that contract that I can tell. Are they in fact covered? .
Sounds like your bulbs aren’t seated correctly and while installing you probably inadvertently threw off the Alignment by moving the bulb base too much. You’ll need to make sure all 3 tabs are in the housing and then use the horizontal alignment screw to get the lights centered
Hello everyone. I replaced both low beam bulbs on my 2018 Pacifica Touring Plus with 62K miles after one burned out. Put in Sylvania Ultra 9005 Halogens. Output is not what was expected. See picture. There are dead zones (little to no light), and an odd diagonal area of light. Main beams don't project very far. The low beam lenses look foggy (as if someone smeared Vaseline on the inside surface. I doubt it is moisture. OEM bulbs did not create a pattern like this. "Foggy low beam lenses" come up a few times on this site and some responses imply foggy lenses are covered under warranty. I know Chrysler Care Representatives monitor this site, so here's my question: My Van has Chrysler's Maximum Care 5/100 Extended Warranty. These lenses are not specifically called out in that contract that I can tell. Are they in fact covered? .
Also that “fogginess” is normal. My 2018 has “foggy” Projector lenses and yes it is inside that projector lens as well. But my LEDs burn right through that film and I have zero issues. If I were you I would upgrade to LED bulbs in the low beam if you have projector housing and trash the halogens. You can try to clean the bowl with a qtip and windex but good luck it’s time consuming and you’ll be doing that quite often as the film just builds right back up
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Thanks Fireguy. Once I get this alignment problem taken care of, I'm switching to LEDs. I'll look for the adjustment screws. Can you point me in the right direction? By that I mean are the adjustment screws accessible via the opening after the plastic access cover is removed, or are they visible by just looking at the back of the headlight assembly ?
The low beam lenses look foggy (as if someone smeared Vaseline on the inside surface. I doubt it is moisture.
Yeah, the stock projector lenses have some sort of "frosted" surface (plus a pattern of dots.) I assume this is to actually increase the diffuse light above the cutoff to e.g. illuminate signs.

Your beam pattern really does look like incorrectly seated (or incorrect) bulbs. Are you sure you got the right bulbs?

Incidentally, I noted that the bulbs that the factory put in the low beams are marked "9005 LL", but the headlight housing itself says "HID D3S HAL H11 HAL (ECE) H7" by the hole for the low beam bulb. This seems to imply the low beam bulb should really be a H11, not a 9005. (By the high beam, it says "9005", and that bulb is marked "9005 HL".)

Now, the internets claim that while a 9005 fits in a H11 socket, they're incompatible. 9005 bulbs are used for high beams, H11 for low beams. I don't have a H11 bulb to test for the low beam, but it would be interesting to try.
Lutorm,
I'll check my housing to see what it says. According to Chrysler Owner manual for 2018 Pacifica, HH11 are for Reflectors, and 9005 for Projector.

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Lutorm,
I'll check my housing to see what it says. According to Chrysler Owner manual for 2018 Pacifica, HH11 are for Reflectors, and 9005 for Projector.

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Ah, interesting. Did the first halogen lights only have reflectors, so the housing design's not reflecting current projector lights?
Hi Lutorm,
As I understand it, it's not the bulbs that determine whether you have projectors or reflectors. It is the headlight assembly itself. When the first bulbs burned out, I went to that manual to find out what type of bulb I should purchase. That's when I saw "Reflectors" and "Projectors." I had no idea what I had. I did what a lot of people probably do: I Googled "What is the difference between Projectors and Reflectors?" There are dozens of You-Tube videos explaining the difference. I determined I had projectors.

When I pulled the burned out bulb, it was 9005LL. At Advanced Auto, they have various types of 9005 bulbs. I figured Slyvania Ultra Bright where the best to buy (I fell victum to their advertisement.) I am 6-6 and have big hands, and it is difficult to stick them through the access hole even after removing the cross brace. More difficult to simultaneously engage the three tabs and turn the bulb to lock it. I knew my first attempts did not engage properly because the bulb could be wiggled. So I kept trying. Once I couldn't wiggle it, I figured I was locked in.

That night, wife takes car out and comes right back. "What is wrong with the van? Headlights are not working properly." Then I came here to this sight. There are 9 different ways these bulbs can be installed incorrectly. Because the light pattern shows both seem to be pointing down, but straight ahead, .and both have that odd angle going away from car as light spreads to left side (but the angle is the same) if they are installed incorrectly, both are installed incorrectly the same way. I figued this was not likely, so I came here. I am, however, doing what I wrote above with the mirror this weekend.
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Hi Lutorm,
As I understand it, it's not the bulbs that determine whether you have projectors or reflectors. It is the headlight assembly itself. When the first bulbs burned out, I went to that manual to find out what type of bulb I should purchase. That's when I saw "Reflectors" and "Projectors." I had no idea what I had. I did what a lot of people probably do: I Googled "What is the difference between Projectors and Reflectors?" There are dozens of You-Tube videos explaining the difference. I determined I had projectors.

When I pulled the burned out bulb, it was 9005LL. At Advanced Auto, they have various types of 9005 bulbs. I figured Slyvania Ultra Bright where the best to buy (I fell victum to their advertisement.) I am 6-6 and have big hands, and it is difficult to stick them through the access hole even after removing the cross brace. More difficult to simultaneously engage the three tabs and turn the bulb to lock it. I knew my first attempts did not engage properly because the bulb could be wiggled. So I kept trying. Once I couldn't wiggle it, I figured I was locked in.

That night, wife takes car out and comes right back. "What is wrong with the van? Headlights are not working properly." Then I came here to this sight. There are 9 different ways these bulbs can be installed incorrectly. Because the light pattern shows both seem to be pointing down, but straight ahead, .and both have that odd angle going away from car as light spreads to left side (but the angle is the same) if they are installed incorrectly, both are installed incorrectly the same way. I figued this was not likely, so I came here. I am, however, doing what I wrote above with the mirror this weekend.
The bulbs in projector beam headlamp assemblies are hidden behind a round globe. If you can't see the tip of the low beam bulb through the lens, this is what you have. It might be best if you post a picture of your headlamps just to be sure, and so we can see the haze you described in your first post. I don't think the haze is normal.

First, make sure the new bulbs are properly installed. It also looks to me like you need to adjust the headlamps upward just like I did. There's a blue 7mm hex screw on each side that allows you to do this. Clockwise is up, counterclockwise is down. I found that three full turns clockwise on both sides made a tremendous difference with night visibility in our van.
The bulbs in projector beam headlamp assemblies are hidden behind a round globe. If you can't see the tip of the low beam bulb through the lens, this is what you have. It might be best if you post a picture of your headlamps just to be sure, and so we can see the haze you described in your first post. I don't think the haze is normal.

First, make sure the new bulbs are properly installed. It also looks to me like you need to adjust the headlamps upward just like I did. There's a blue 7mm hex screw on each side that allows you to do this. Clockwise is up, counterclockwise is down. I found that three full turns clockwise on both sides made a tremendous difference with night visibility in our van.
This haze can be seen on almost every type of projector housing. It’s not meant to be rubbed off apparently and is there to help with diffusing light. I have 4 vehicle ranging from 2016 to 2020 all with projector lenses and all have the same film on the projectors
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This haze can be seen on almost every type of projector housing. It’s not meant to be rubbed off apparently and is there to help with diffusing light. I have 4 vehicle ranging from 2016 to 2020 all with projector lenses and all have the same film on the projectors
I strongly disagree with the first sentence. Is it possible that the "haze" you are seeing is the projector globe? The lenses on our van definitely do not have anything that could be accurately described as a "haze" on them. Again, posting a picture of your headlamps would be helpful.
I strongly disagree with the first sentence. Is it possible that the "haze" you are seeing is the projector globe? The lenses on our van definitely do not have anything that could be accurately described as a "haze" on them. Again, posting a picture of your headlamps would be helpful.
Yes it’s the globe, the projector. It’s hazy looking and has small holes in it. I know what I’m talking about. It’s not on the housing itself it’s the projector. I don’t need to post a pic bc I know what I’m talking about. All projector “globes” look like this
Yes it’s the globe, the projector. It’s hazy looking and has small holes in it. I know what I’m talking about. It’s not on the housing itself it’s the projector. I don’t need to post a pic bc I know what I’m talking about. All projector “globes” look like this
Well, not all do. There are plenty of projectors with clear lenses. But most OEM ones seem to be made that way.
First, make sure the new bulbs are properly installed. It also looks to me like you need to adjust the headlamps upward just like I did. There's a blue 7mm hex screw on each side that allows you to do this. Clockwise is up, counterclockwise is down. I found that three full turns clockwise on both sides made a tremendous difference with night visibility in our van.
Apparently there is no requirement that the lights be aligned properly on new cars when they are sold. (This amazed me.) So, it's quite possible they are not aligned properly from the factory. (Mine were very clearly not even aligned to the same height.) But -- and this is important -- do not start fiddling with the alignment until you have fixed the beam pattern. Incorrectly seated bulbs affect the alignment.
As I understand it, it's not the bulbs that determine whether you have projectors or reflectors. It is the headlight assembly itself. When the first bulbs burned out, I went to that manual to find out what type of bulb I should purchase. That's when I saw "Reflectors" and "Projectors." I had no idea what I had. I did what a lot of people probably do: I Googled "What is the difference between Projectors and Reflectors?" There are dozens of You-Tube videos explaining the difference. I determined I had projectors.
Yes, correct. But the headlight housing is the same for all types of lights, it's just the internal components that are different. This is why the text on the housing specify the bulbs types both for HID and halogen. But they do not specify different bulbs for projector vs reflector low beams.

It is very difficult to access the right side bulbs. (It's borderline faster to just drop the front fascia and pull the entire headlight assembly out than try to do anything in place, at least once you know how to...) The correct, seated, orientation of the bulb has the connector facing straight down. Looking into the bulb holder, you turn the bulb clockwise to lock it in. So, when you insert it, it should be rotated about 40 degrees counterclockwise from straight down (ie the connector pointing vehicle-right.) Even when you know that, there's a tendency for one of the tabs to "snag" on the holder and not go all the way in, which leaves the bulb tilted.

I suggest you experiment on the left-hand side, which is much easier to work with. Take the old functioning bulb, which you know works correctly, and practice putting it back. If you do that and get the correct beam pattern, and then repeat the same procedure with the new bulb and get the wrong one, I'd be inclined to believe there's something wrong with the set you got.
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Yes it’s the globe, the projector. It’s hazy looking and has small holes in it. I know what I’m talking about. It’s not on the housing itself it’s the projector. I don’t need to post a pic bc I know what I’m talking about. All projector “globes” look like this
First, let me correct myself. I thought the OP was responding to my previous response. They seemed to be describing the outer lens in their first post so I previously suggested posting a picture in my first response to them (and again in response to your post thinking it was the OP). Your most recent post had me curious and thinking I may have been missing something. So, I peeked at our headlamps again. I only see the textured appearance (which is what I think you and the OP are describing as hazy or fogginess) if I shine a light through the globe. I'll admit I never noticed this before, but both yours and the OP's descriptions are more palpable after having seen this.

Regardless, something is definitely not right with the OP's headlights. Replacing the bulbs alone shouldn't impact the light/beam pattern provided they are the correct size/type. The photo is probably making their visibility look worse than it really is, but even considering that they look like they're aimed too low to me.
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First, let me correct myself. I thought the OP was responding to my previous response. They seemed to be describing the outer lens in their first post so I previously suggested posting a picture in my first response to them (and again in response to your post thinking it was the OP). Your most recent post had me curious and thinking I may have been missing something. So, I peeked at our headlamps again. I only see the textured appearance (which is what I think you and the OP are describing as hazy or fogginess) if I shine a light through the globe. I'll admit I never noticed this before, but both yours and the OP's descriptions are more palpable after having seen this.

Regardless, something is definitely not right with the OP's headlights. Replacing the bulbs alone shouldn't impact the light/beam pattern provided they are the correct size/type. The photo is probably making their visibility look worse than it really is, but even considering that they look like they're aimed too low to me.
No worries!
and yes Aimed low and I’ll bet that one of the tabs isn’t seated properly.
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Gents,
Here is a pic of one lense. The dot pattern has some purpose, but that isn't what my question is about. The odd gray swirls are the "Foggy-ness" as I describe it. Also, the actual light pattern is WORSE than the my initial posted picture indicates. I suppose that is due to the cell phone camera enhancing the picture, kinda like what a car's backup camera does (eg, at dusk, my back up camera makes everything look brighter than it really is. I think you all know what I am referring to.) Anyway, I agree sure looks like bulbs are either installed improperly or not the correct ones. Thanks for the
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insights. I'll post resolution when it occurs. :)
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