unsafe S14 headlights

[ronin083]

OK, just so everyone knows, I've searched, searched again, then searched some more both on this forum and others so unless you have a link to something I somehow missed please dont flame and post the search feature pic. I'm not a newb I lurk alot resulting in low post count so here goes.

Both my headlights, but mostly the right one, dont seem to turn on unless I punch them. If I hit a good bump it turns them off, obviously not good... I'm leaning towards a short/loose ground somewhere but I dont have a voltmeter and can find nothing obvious. Add to this both headlights are extremely dim and the right one wont adjust it aims at a 45 angle to light up the shoulder. Since I can slap the headlight and turn it on I know its not the switch off the steering column its somewhere on or around the headlight assembly itself. I'm planning on replacing at least the right one with a usdm unit. My questions are as follows:1. Has anyone else had this issue and/or know someone who has?2. Will replacing both units with vertex and/or any other units increase the brightness and if so is it worth it or should I just go to HID kits in the stockers.3. Is it likely replacing the units will fix this or will I probably need to get new headlight harnesses?4. Any other suggestions as to what may be the problem or fix...

ETA: replacing bulbs with brighter ones doesnt seem to solve the issue.
Modified by ronin083 at 12:26 AM 9/11/2009

[kietdude]

I've had this problem. What I did was bend the two left and right prongs on the bulb just a little bit further out, and then installed. I had to do this, because my plug was old and the contacts were a little worn out.

Can't help you with the other problems.

[blacksrjdm]

You have burned out the harnesses that the bulbs plug into. This happens when a bulb burns too hot, or when someone changes the factory bulbs for a higher wattage bulb can tend to burn out the harnesses. Buy two new factory bulbs and splice in two new harnesses from pep boys or autozone. Problem solved.

Or if you plan to put in an HID kit, then you still need to replace the harnesses or you will have the same problem with the HID's.

BTW, "ETA" stands for estimated time of arrival.

[ddgsxr504]

Ontop of what the guy above me said you might want to try and clean your housings as I'm sure they are pretty yellowed which causes massive dimming.