Neon and SRT headlamps different? - SRT Forums

PhantomNeon · 03-07-2008, 01:36 AM

I had my front bumper cover off today as I was replacing my intercooler with my old pre wreck stock unit. New one was pretty beat up, couple bars were pinched shut, you know, rocks and all.
Anyway, I decided since I had the cover off to poke around with the headlamps. I've been noticing that the beams are slightly off and that irks me to death. It also seems like the damaged side has a wider output range because I can see more light over to the left than on the right.
As I was messing around and figuring out that there are not many ways to adjust them I noticed that my headlamps ARE different. Most notably because on the damaged side I could move the light housing around quite a bit wih my handas opposed to very little movement on the opposite. Upon closer inspection I noticed that the replacement light has a bigger....forgive me, I don't know what its called....the little chrome dome looking thing that covers the actual bulb is notably bigger on damaged side.
Is this normal or did I somehow manage to get a NEON replacement as opposed to an SRT replacement? Maybe someone coud just look at their car in passing and get back to me?

LilSparkPlug · 03-07-2008, 02:08 PM

The 03-05 Neons and 03-05 SRTs have the exact same headlights. The only difference is that in 2003 the headlights had a "black" ring around them instead of a chrome one (like the 04-05s) making them looking like racoon eyes. It may have been possible that you got an aftermarket replacement assembly rather than an OEM one. The piece you are talking about should not differ in size at all, mine are both the same on the black housings I took apart and the factory headlights that I have in there now.

Check the front of the headlight...there should be small writing right near the gasket on the bottom, what does it say?

Or...take the headlight off the car and read the back of it, see what that says.

PhantomNeon · 03-07-2008, 11:31 PM

Good info Sparkplug. Thanks!
That may be the case. Im at work right now so Ill check in the morning. I did notice this morning that the little bulb covers are the same size on a friends SRT. They're both small. Ill also see if I can get some pics up tomorrow as well.

PhantomNeon · 03-08-2008, 08:09 PM

I noticed that the driver side headlight was loose as well. When I push on it it gave a little bit and moved back into the hole its in. When I push on the passenger side it's strong. It doesn't bidge much at all. I took the headlight out and when taking it out I noticed that it was never in right in the first place so I put it back proper and the light sunk down into the hole and moves alot less now. the only problem with this is the beam on the left/drivers side (damaged side) is a little lower than the right and its bothersome.

I also noticed that there are some different markings on the headlight on left as opposed to stocker on the right. Some extra stuff about ase and dot and all. I think they ordered me a cheap ass knock off when they replaced it. I'll write down the words and take pics tomorrow and will post up.

Fuck. Does anyone think if I got the DEPO black housings from CTA it might remedy this situation a bit? i love those headlights.

PhantomNeon · 03-10-2008, 11:31 AM

here is an update that weirded me out....
I got down in the daylight and wrote down all the extra shit on the headlight and decided it was time to share. Don't know if it means anything but here goes....
LH SAE-AHRI5P-03 334-1109L DOT HB5 VOR
and here is the craziest part. Stamped in BIG BOLD letters is "DEPO".
WTF? I'm feel naked and confused. Betrayed even.

Okay maybe not so much either of those but yeah whats up with that? Does anybody have any info on what I could do to help make the light alignment back on point or should I just keep checking back here daily and see that 50 some people have seen this and only one responded

I'm wondering if it may be fucked no matter what because of the damage. Perhaps there is something misaligned with where they put that stuff together on that side which is causing the headlight to be misalighned.
Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

LilSparkPlug · 03-11-2008, 07:49 PM

Sorry I didn't respond sooner I've been busy. Depo is an aftermarket manufacturer of headlights for these cars, so you don't have an OEM piece.

As for alignment, there is a long torx bolt in the back of the headlight, accessable through a hole on the radiator support. That hole is to the right of the top mounting piece on the headlight. If you shine a flashlight down, you'll see the bolt. Turning that bolt aims the headlights, moving them upwards or downwards. Pull up to a flat wall and aim them using that, for halogens people vary in the distance they believe you need to align them, so do it until you're happy with it.

Or if you want to forget them alltogether, simply get black housings and use the same procedure to aim them.

PhantomNeon · 03-11-2008, 10:28 PM

thank you lilspark. you're my hero. i'm going to do this asap because it really upsets my ocd

i'd read that the torx screw was for alignment but there was discrepancy as to which way. great job on clearing that up

LilSparkPlug · 03-12-2008, 07:03 PM

I always forget which way as well. Its easier just to turn it one way and watch the lights against the wall to see (or watch the shroud itself). If thats not it, turn it the other way.