99 Dodge Caravan-problem with very poor lit headlights.

I have a 1999 Dodge grand caravan which has very dim headlights.
Anyone know how to improve the headlight quality?

My other auto is a Nissian Xterra and its headlights are awesome, can
see for almost a mile on dim and i cant see the lines with the dodge.
Any ideas would be helpful.

Thanks in advance

Swatmedic

Yeah, these lights are very poor. I upgraded my lamps to Sylvania
Xtravisions and it helped a bit but they are still sub-standard. I think
they were improved starting in 2001.


"Swatmedic5" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>I have a 1999 Dodge grand caravan which has very dim headlights.
> Anyone know how to improve the headlight quality?
>
> My other auto is a Nissian Xterra and its headlights are awesome, can
> see for almost a mile on dim and i cant see the lines with the dodge.
> Any ideas would be helpful.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Swatmedic
>

Yeah, these lights are very poor. I upgraded my lamps to Sylvania
Xtravisions and it helped a bit but they are still sub-standard. I think
they were improved starting in 2001.


"Swatmedic5" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>I have a 1999 Dodge grand caravan which has very dim headlights.
> Anyone know how to improve the headlight quality?
>
> My other auto is a Nissian Xterra and its headlights are awesome, can
> see for almost a mile on dim and i cant see the lines with the dodge.
> Any ideas would be helpful.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Swatmedic
>

Bill D wrote:
> Yeah, these lights are very poor. I upgraded my lamps to Sylvania
> Xtravisions and it helped a bit but they are still sub-standard. I
think
> they were improved starting in 2001.
>
>
> "Swatmedic5" > wrote in message
> ups.com...
> >I have a 1999 Dodge grand caravan which has very dim headlights.
> > Anyone know how to improve the headlight quality?
> >
> > My other auto is a Nissian Xterra and its headlights are awesome,
can
> > see for almost a mile on dim and i cant see the lines with the
dodge.
> > Any ideas would be helpful.
> >
> > Thanks in advance
> >
> > Swatmedic
> >

This is correct. The headlamps on the 1996 - 2000 minivans don't put
out as much light as the previous or later models. When the van was
re-designed for the 2001 model year, the headlamp size was increased.

As suggested above, you can try installing the Sylvania Xtravision
bulbs. They did help a little on my 1998 Dodge Stratus which has a
simliar design.

-Kirk Matheson

Bill D wrote:
> Yeah, these lights are very poor. I upgraded my lamps to Sylvania
> Xtravisions and it helped a bit but they are still sub-standard. I
think
> they were improved starting in 2001.
>
>
> "Swatmedic5" > wrote in message
> ups.com...
> >I have a 1999 Dodge grand caravan which has very dim headlights.
> > Anyone know how to improve the headlight quality?
> >
> > My other auto is a Nissian Xterra and its headlights are awesome,
can
> > see for almost a mile on dim and i cant see the lines with the
dodge.
> > Any ideas would be helpful.
> >
> > Thanks in advance
> >
> > Swatmedic
> >

This is correct. The headlamps on the 1996 - 2000 minivans don't put
out as much light as the previous or later models. When the van was
re-designed for the 2001 model year, the headlamp size was increased.

As suggested above, you can try installing the Sylvania Xtravision
bulbs. They did help a little on my 1998 Dodge Stratus which has a
simliar design.

-Kirk Matheson

"Ugarte" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 6 Jan 2005 06:20:04 +0100 (CET), Nomen Nescio
> > wrote:
>
> >Do you have a heavily tinted after-market windshield? Those will
> >definitely attenuate the light rays.
> >
> >Could your eyes be dimming out on you? Once you hit 40, your peepers
start
> >to go.
> >
> >Could your factory windshield be pitted? In some parts of the country, a
> >windshield can be sandblasted in 50 miles of driving. This defect will
> >scatter light and drive you nuts.
> >
> >Are your headlamps getting the voltage? Put a voltmeter across the high
> >beam contacts and run the engine in neutral. With the lights on, it
should
> >read about 13 volts or better.
> >
> >Are your headlamps aged? Old lamps turn dark because the filament leaves
> >its deposits on the inner surface of the glass bulb.
> >
> >Are you expecting too much from your headlamps? After all they only put
> >out about 120 watts total. Thats only twice a typical table end lamp in
> >your home.
> >
> >Driving conditions have a lot to do with it. In the city, ambient light
is
> >so bright, sometimes you can't see the headlamp beam strike the road in
> >front of you. The same lighting system on a dark, moonless night on a
> >country road can shine a beam half a mile.
> >
> >Are you headlamps aimed properly? Those beams that can carry half a mile
> >might only illuminate 100 feet if dipped down too far.
> >
> >Next time, buy a MacIntosh and enjoy your computing free of virus and
> >spyware.
>
> If you've ever driven a '96-2000 Chrysler minivan at night you would
> not need to ask all these questions.

How true. I have a 99 T&C and the headlights suck.

I am over 40, but my age has had no ill effect on the headlights of my 95
GC, 95 Saturn, 95 Jeep, or my 85 Ford F150.

"Ugarte" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 6 Jan 2005 06:20:04 +0100 (CET), Nomen Nescio
> > wrote:
>
> >Do you have a heavily tinted after-market windshield? Those will
> >definitely attenuate the light rays.
> >
> >Could your eyes be dimming out on you? Once you hit 40, your peepers
start
> >to go.
> >
> >Could your factory windshield be pitted? In some parts of the country, a
> >windshield can be sandblasted in 50 miles of driving. This defect will
> >scatter light and drive you nuts.
> >
> >Are your headlamps getting the voltage? Put a voltmeter across the high
> >beam contacts and run the engine in neutral. With the lights on, it
should
> >read about 13 volts or better.
> >
> >Are your headlamps aged? Old lamps turn dark because the filament leaves
> >its deposits on the inner surface of the glass bulb.
> >
> >Are you expecting too much from your headlamps? After all they only put
> >out about 120 watts total. Thats only twice a typical table end lamp in
> >your home.
> >
> >Driving conditions have a lot to do with it. In the city, ambient light
is
> >so bright, sometimes you can't see the headlamp beam strike the road in
> >front of you. The same lighting system on a dark, moonless night on a
> >country road can shine a beam half a mile.
> >
> >Are you headlamps aimed properly? Those beams that can carry half a mile
> >might only illuminate 100 feet if dipped down too far.
> >
> >Next time, buy a MacIntosh and enjoy your computing free of virus and
> >spyware.
>
> If you've ever driven a '96-2000 Chrysler minivan at night you would
> not need to ask all these questions.

How true. I have a 99 T&C and the headlights suck.

I am over 40, but my age has had no ill effect on the headlights of my 95
GC, 95 Saturn, 95 Jeep, or my 85 Ford F150.

First; re-wire the light circuit with relays so that the lights are fed
directly off the battery and directly to ground.

Second; get those Sylvinia bulbs mentioned in another post.

Third; if you have the cash, get a set of German lights for this vehicle.

Richard.

First; re-wire the light circuit with relays so that the lights are fed
directly off the battery and directly to ground.

Second; get those Sylvinia bulbs mentioned in another post.

Third; if you have the cash, get a set of German lights for this vehicle.

Richard.

New update, now the low beams are out, both out at once. High beams
still work. The poor light has been for months so i dont know which
was a sign of which. Does anyone know if both go out if one is bad?
I havent checked the bulbs yet. Will in just a bit, always a pain
there.