Hi there!
I think that it is safe to say that everybody here expireinced some problems with headlights. Some with me on my `92 SC4.
I have passanger headlight in great condition as it was recently replaced by previous owner. Driver side unfortunately is all messed up. Has water leak and projector is loose and points downward, it can`t be adjusted.
I did some trading and accuired another set of headlights, but my luck, got the set in exactly the same condition as my oryginal one. Great passanger and messed up driver side light.

This left me with no choice but repair left light.
Info on the web in regard of cleaning the plastic and resealing the lens is preaty good. Nothing on the projector repair issiue though. (On the lens polishing I just want to add that auto paint polish and buffer works great...)

After cracking the light open using owen method, I got to the projector issiue quickly. News were not good.
Prolonged exposure to the moisture lead to the corrosion of the bottom adjuster screw. To the point of rust eating compleatly thru the section of the screw(!)
Bad news didn`t end there. I found part ot the parabolic mirror on the back of the projector missing. I should rather say part of reflective coating missing, eaten away.
This may be the reason I see some members here complaining on their headlight efficiency. Well, in my case more than 30% of parabolic mirror was gone.

Adjuster screw being bad on both left lights I have left me with no choice but trying to make two upper screws work on one light.

Parabolic mirror repair is a tougher one. How to replace part of the missing coating ? Best I can come out with right now is to cut part of aluminum foil and glue in place. Maybe crush thin flat mirror and the glue the pieces in place of missing section?
Opinions please!

 

post pics, they always explain soooo much more.

 

Two words: HID retrofit

 

I have a spare stock reflector I can give you if you want it.

 

Doh... you still need parabolic mirror with HID. HID is just different bulb with converter that is all into it...

I have HID kit sitting in my trunk waiting to be instaled. That is why I`m fixing headlight first.

 

Thank you siniguezu. I`m cooking second light in the owen as I type this. I`m checking second mirror just to make sure I can`t make it work....

 

I said retrofit, not kit.... that means junk the stock projectors and transplant hid projectors (with actual hid output)

 

OK I kinda get you now. Kit cost me $50 (used) and guy will butcher my lights to accept HID bulbs and instal converters for another $50 so as you see your advice is not that cost effective for me, but thanx.

 

I oppened second light and will be able to reuse the mirror. Thank you for kind offer siniquezu.

 

Is Owen the inventor's name?

what's an owen?

 

Oven? ...."W" is pronounced "V" in my language, I mix them up often and then some more

 

I finished reworking my left headlight today and want to share some.

Things to look for:
-bottom adjuster screw
-parabolic mirror (reflector?)
-glass lens

Bottom adjuster screws is where corrosion hits and eats thru the shaft. It is possible to suplement bottom adjuster screw with spare upper one (if you have one...). Screws have O-rings do not forget those.
I wasn`t able to remove adjuster w/o braking disc spring. (Disc is easly suplemented by horseshoe clip, one that hold parking brake lever to rear brake shoes on smaler toyos...)
Lastly use Toyota body grease when reinserting adjusters to the headlight body to help keep it watertight.

Parabolic mirror coating corrodes. Instal good one .

Big magnifying lens (glass one) gets beaten up on the edge. Seat the lens on the bead of silicone before tightening down the clamp.

I sealed the light with Toyota FIPIG. The best stuff known to man. This is one time deal. you will not be able to take the light appart agein. So use your own disgresion or something like that...

Part numbers: (this is vey expensive stuff though)
Toyota body grease 08887-02007 (50g jar)
Toyota FIPIG 00295-00103 (83g tube)

 

Ken, I'm LMAO right now because of you.

 

man i've got to try this.

what happens if the reflector is unsalvageable? if there an alternative to hunting down a good one?

 

I would think that getting parts should be easier than whole used lights, since even broken in collision lights can be salvaged for parts (depends on damage...)

Reflector body is made of metal, it can be recoated. Problem is if anybody ofers that kind of service for mirrors. Also it can be chromed. I think good chrome would work just fine....