99 GTP High Beams dont work correctly

**degarris** · 12-22-2015

Hi,
Our 99 GTP headlights are just weird. Finally had enough and want to either figure it out or upgrade to halo, which may not resolve the issue anyway. I have replaced the OEM headlight assembly with new ones a few years ago, upgraded the bulbs, nothing too fancy. The high beams dont work well, they are worse than the low beams, so dont use them. Wondered if anyone has this issue. They have always been like that no matter what I have done or replaced. Also suggestions if I go with halo, CCFL ? LED, etc? Don want to get to crazy since this is my every day car which I love! Long live GTP's, the best car I have ever owned. 183k miles and going strong.

**SubwayGuy** · 12-22-2015

You can't just say the high beams don't work well. We need details. What don't they do correctly? Are they not aimed or what?

**degarris** · 12-22-2015

When I turn them on they show down below where the low beams are. I have tried adjusting them over the years. Maybe hard to explain but they don't show the road like all our others cars do, or you would expect.

**SubwayGuy** · 12-22-2015

Originally Posted by degarris

When I turn them on they show down below where the low beams are. I have tried adjusting them over the years. Maybe hard to explain but they don't show the road like all out others cars do, or you would expect.

The high beams are part of the low beam bulb. It's a dual filament bulb. So if your low beams are aimed correctly, then your high beams should be too. Are you 100% the low beams are aimed correctly?

**Slick2500** · 12-22-2015

The stock headlights for these cars are pretty crappy, and a vast majority of the aftermarket ones are even worse than the stock ones, the design of the reflector inside doesn't refract the light the same way the stock one does so the lights appear less bright. Your best bet is to go with retro fits. This thread should help get you started http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...ctors-97-03-GP

**idrivejunk** · 12-22-2015

All that and I'll add this- Since fogs go off when you switch high beams on, thats when you get to see how sub-standard the OE headlamp design is. What was said is true, about aim. If low beams are correct, highs are too. One bulb. If everything is in good condition and installed properly, and you aim high beams at the headlights of another car of similar ride height and width, twenty feet away, thats about what you're supposed to have. I will also add that different lamp manufacturers seem to vary in lens quality.

**degarris** · 12-22-2015

Appreciate the info. I have adjusted them and every stinkin' time the high beams always are lower (when I say lower, using my garage door to display them on) then the low beams. Whether I am close or 20+ feet away same results.....The driving lights work perfect, on with low, off with high. Just doesn't make any sense.

**idrivejunk** · 12-22-2015

Pull the lamps and check the bulb installation and type.

**SubwayGuy** · 12-22-2015

Is it possible they are upside down? I'm not sure if the bulb can be reversed, but it could make sense if they were upside down.

Like the whole connector is put in backwards?

**idrivejunk** · 12-22-2015

Originally Posted by SubwayBrat

Is it possible they are upside down? I'm not sure if the bulb can be reversed, but it could make sense if they were upside down.

Like the whole connector is put in backwards?

This. The clip on the connector should face up. They are made to go together one way but its possible that a previous owner might have inverted them accidentally somehow. If a guy has only had one GP to look at he might not catch on and reinstall them back the same way.

**degarris** · 12-23-2015

Originally Posted by SubwayBrat

Is it possible they are upside down? I'm not sure if the bulb can be reversed, but it could make sense if they were upside down.

Like the whole connector is put in backwards?

Yes that was it, it appears. Car is clean in the garage and pouring rain out so wont be pulling it out for awhile to verify. Within a few feet of the garage door it appears that was the problem. One was completely upside down, one was sideways. I honestly thought they could only go in one way, not the case, at least in mine. Many thanks to such a frustrating problem with a simple solution, I guess another example of over thinking something, I would think about that and then (I thought) I read they only went in one way, anyway I never tried it and when you said that I said what the heck. Merry Christmas, and thank you for the what appears to be solution. I love my GTP.

Also thank you to the others who chimed in. I guess I will turn in my "car guy" badge for the day since I really should have tried that given the problem....