[GrahamD]

Hi,
I've just found and joined your forum, and hope you can help me.
I've got a 2003 UK Plate CRV Petrol, and the car had just failed its MOT Test, mainly on Cloudy Headlights and Knock Sensor. The cloudiness is on the inside, not the outside.
I've looked around and bought a New set of aftermarket lights, which will work with the electric Light Motor (Its a must that this works if fitted as my car has, and if it doesn't work its another MOT failure). However, the headlight has space for 4 bulbs, where the old lights had room for 3 and they are H1 bulbs. The only other option they sell is the three bulb H4 light, but that doesn't have an electric connection.
So, the H1 is a different fitting to the H1, and there have to be 2 H1 bulbs, one for main and one for dipped. The other issue is that the sidelight is in a different place and the wiring won't stretch.
So, has anyone had this issue and how did they get round it ? I think my options are;
1; Find a set of new headlights that work, and don't cost £1200 for the pair (Honda prices)
2; Find a set of used headlights from a breaker that fit and work, that are not cloudy.
3; Find a harness to convert the wiring from H4 bulb to 2x H1 bulb.
4; Find an aftermarket set that fit the car
5; Attempt to take the headlight apart and clean it - using the Oven to melt the sealant

Has anyone got any suggestions ??

Many thanks

Graham.

 

[fishycomics]

Welcome aboard. Like for Like, you must make sure you the Owner order the correct parts..
Inspection and you want to pass I again correctly put in the same part.

 

[TheDarkKnight]

Hi and welcome.

Do you have any pics? That will definitely help to determine what you have.

 

[GrahamD]

Hi and welcome.

Do you have any pics? That will definitely help to determine what you have.

Hi, thanks, I’ll take some tomorrow
Graham

 

[Carbuff2]

Can't wait to see pictures. North American models do not have headlamp levelers, so make sure that you get the correct type. They WERE different Gen2 (2003 - 2004) and Gen2.5 (2005 - 2007 in the UK)

I've not heard of headlamps yellowing on the INSIDE...condensation yes, yellowing no.

So, choice 5 seems to be your best bet.

Remove the headlamp cover, and clean it up.

There are many videos detailing how to do this, here's one. Good Luck!

 

[GrahamD]

Thanks, a couple of pictures as promised - most of the aftermarket lights I can see with electric levelling capability are the H1 - 4 Bulb variant so not suitable - I'm sending the new ones back today ! The other light is still on the car and looks as bad - I'll be ringing the breakers yards locally today !

Thanks, Graham

 

[fishycomics]

Go out to the Auto store if not go online and order, safer to do today

Amazon.com : headlight restorer&index=aps&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=xm2&linkId=9c178c8fbccec69c0d6f7674db93d987

Simple to do and they will work, did a few, no videos saved for it. go out and clean it up with one of the kits, in the ad

 

[mrtn]

I have restored worse, used this kit: 3M. Give it a go.

 

[GrahamD]

I have restored worse, used this kit: 3M. Give it a go.

Thanks, did you have to get inside the lens or did you just work on the outside?

 

[mrtn]

No, the majority of the issue is on the outside. There's ice crystal fog like haze in Honda headlight plastic but it does not affect lighting capability like the outer corrosion.

 

[Carbuff2]

There's ice crystal fog like haze in Honda headlight plastic but it does not affect lighting capability like the outer corrosion.

Would an otherwise clear housing cause a MOT failure? THAT is my question.

I agree with @mrtn , I've polished worse ones on Gen2s with excellent results. Mask everything off, no need to drop the bumper unless you have it off already.

To make the polishing last more than six months, I recommend applying several THIN coats of gloss clear coat (look for paint that mentions UV Protection).

Here's my 'Go-To' instructional video for headlamp restoration.

 

[fishycomics]

Oxidized, dont do gasoline. takes about a few s seconds to see results/

 

[mrtn]

BTW: I have XPEL paint protector film on my daily driver's headlights. Completely clear and unnoticeable. No scratches, yellowing or haze five years in.

 

[GrahamD]

Hi all,

Quick update, have used the methods described here with wet and dry paper and bluffing to a polish afterwards - here's a before and after picture, I've now completed the second light and replaced the headlamps and the bumper, now just waiting a MOT retest.
I know the knock sensor needs doing as well, but as I haven't got ramps or a lift I'll leave that one to the garage !
Thanks for your help all !!
Graham

 

[TheDarkKnight]

Good result!

 

[GrahamD]

Hi all, Just a quick thank you - The car passed its MOT today, and credit must go to the people on here who pointed me in the right direction, with the Knock Sensor and the Headlamps !! When I asked what they thought about the headlights, they thought they were perfect !!!!!

I had a few advisories, mainly around the Anti roll bar linkage joints, so I'll be searching the forum for advice there !

Once again, thank you !

Graham.

 

[Carbuff2]

When I asked what they thought about the headlights, they thought they were perfect !!!!!

You just polished them (not replaced)?

 

[GrahamD]

You just polished them (not replaced)?

Yes, I couldn’t find any for a UK drive, right hand steering wheel for electric adjustment, so in the end I had no option but to try and salvage them, or pay around £600 each for new, which is probably more than the worth of the car !!