JThor

My 2010 GT has the HID headlights. When I go over a somewhat sharp bump, the beam on the driver's side will jiggle up and down several times. It always goes back to proper alignment. However, it is irritating to me to see the beam bouncing. I thought there was something loose in the headlight assembly. So, I took it to the dealer to get it fixed under warranty.

After the tech looked at it, he told me that there was nothing wrong with the light. He said that due the the cars firm suspension and the nature of the HID's, the beam will jiggle from time to time over bumps. It was just something I had to live with.

I think his story is BS. I've never had a car with jiggling headlights (at least if the assemblies are in proper repair). I've had cars with HID's before and have never encountered that problem.

Nevertheless, I'd like to know if anyone else with HID's in their Stang has this problem. I'm trying to figure out whether to take this to the next level. Thanks in advance for your input.

Here is the statement from the tech on the repair order:

"CAUSE: THIS MOVEMENT IS BEING CAUSED BY NORMAL NVH CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS CHASSIS. THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT POSSIBLE OR NECESSARY."

BTW, what is "NVH"?

Art161

Noise, vibration, harshness.

bigD1515

I'm not gonna lie mine do the same thing but its only happened maybe twice that i've noticed. You can actually hear it move in the cabin too. I put a tiny drop of superglue on the edge where the bulb would touch the housing to secure it. But i think as soon as i put my highbeams on it broke that bond lol not sure but it hasnt happened again since.

JThor

Thanks ART161 for the definition.

bigD- Thanks for the advice. I will open mine up and check for any looseness. Mine happens regularly. On a 5 mile trip, it will happen about a half dozen times. Was your only one headlight or both?

08caliGT

Gonna need to rig something to hold the housing in place.

Minion

I have a 2011 with HID's and I have never noticed it. I REALLY hope I don't notice it now after reading this post ....Ive had the car since March, no jiggle that I noticed.

mmdpg

My understanding of HID's (I have them in my '08 Bullitt and my '12 V-6) is that the movement is the reflective shutter that directs the bulb output from low to high beams not the bulb itself moving. Both my cars do it over bumps. Have someone switch from low to high beams while you look at the lights from the side, you should see the moving shutter.

bigD1515

well I've had one instance where I was going uphill and it tilted and pointed pretty much straight up! I was like wtf? It was only one light. Then when I leveled out it went back down. So I think it has to be the bulb that time. But for me OP it's only happened maybe twice and only on my left drivers side bulb. I wouldn't worry too much! Save up for retrofit projectors

JThor

I think you nailed it. I tried switching the lights from high to low several times quickly ending with the low beams. Then I drove the car with the lights on over bumps I knew would cause the problem. Problem cured! I think the shutter was not sitting properly. The question now is whether the shutter will stay put. It probably is loose. However, without your input, I would have never figured that one out. I still have a year and a half on the warranty. So I will keep a watch on it. At least now I can intelligently tell them what is going on. Thank you!

BTW, before I bought my current GT, I was looking for a black '08-'09 Bullitt. The couple I found that interested me were mid-$20k or higher. I wasn't interested in paying that much. Then, I couldn't pass up the deal I got on mine. Still would have liked the Bullitt, however.