Dreadful Lights!!

[cutthroat22]

I have 2003 rav4 and find the lights decent enough, certainly not terrible. If yours are as bad as you describe something is off.

Do you have foglights? They help a bit as well.

[bondy]

The RAV is so new to me that I don't even know where the foglight switch is. Are they those two circular lights below the headlights?

[cutthroat22]

On the stalk that you turn your headlights on....there is another switch on the same stalk a little towards the steering wheel...

Took me a while to figure it out myself lol

[bondy]

If those are the foglights, then I was already driving with them on. I wonder if they somehow reduced the power to the regular lights.

[Phrede]

Originally Posted by bondy

Hi there. I'm not sure what a "box test" is.

I described the "box test" in an earlier post. That is trying to determine if the headlights are misaligned. Other than that I think you should take it to a competent garage, in the daylight, to have it checked out.

The fog or driving lights are a completely separate thing that will not solve any issue you may have with your headlamps.

I suggest you read your owners manual to learn more about the functions and features of the car. You should pay close and particular attention to all the warnings listed in the manual. They are there to protect you from harm.

[cutthroat22]

Originally Posted by bondy

Thanks for the info and yes the the Blue Highbeam indicator was coming on, however, there was no increase in light power. In fact, lowbeam actually seemed better or equal. I recall the fellow who sold the car to me was just changing the headlights apparently the day I bought it from him. Maybe that's a clue.!

Maybe they installed the wrong bulb Something is off if there is no increase in power when you turn the highbeams on.

[toms07rav4]

I use SilverStar bulbs in all my cars and motorcycle. Try the new ones, well worth the money. Took a pair to the dealer when I picked up my new 07 RAV4 and had them install them before we left the dealership.

[bondy]

By the way, how is easy is it to swap bulbs? I heard some say no tools required, though another website said 2004 Rav4 required bolts removed?

Do I yank off those rubber things surrounding the light plug in spot?

[bondy]

I just did a test drive at night and I parked in a dark spot. I could see an obvious improvement with highbeams and with the foglights were a bit better too. I'm thinking that perhaps I didn't the switch all the way turned on, like maybe the first position. It's the only way I seem to be able to replicate my experience. I will have to try it again on the same road in the mountain, this Friday night, Owwww! We'll see if the spooky mystery is solved!

[philrav4]

Any pictures of your headlights? The headlights on my 02 rav4 starts to go cloudy as they aged so very little light is going through. I found some polish/wax kicking around the house, after half an hour of rubbing, its all nice and clear again. Hope that helps.