Are your 2015 Nissan Altima headlights too dim? This is a common concern with the car of 2013-2018 model year that can put you in danger.
Without the right repairs, you can encounter several issues, such as a failed annual vehicle inspection or catastrophic traffic accidents.
How Does Headlight System Work?
No matter what kind of bulbs you use, the system functions essentially the same. Your vehicle’s headlights are linked to the wiring harness for the engine through connectors.
They are also grounded to the car’s chassis since they require a ground to function.
The battery/alternator sends power to the bulbs once the beam headlights switch is activated.
This procedure causes the filaments to heat up and shine, creating the light for you to view the road at night.
They function in the same way as your home’s light bulbs. Anything that obstructs the circuit’s ability to conduct electricity, such as a damaged filament, can lead to issues.
Notice that headlight bulbs are very similar to fuses, meaning either they function or they don’t.
As a result, if your lights are dimmer than usual, the issue is most likely with the cabling that connects the bulbs rather than the lightbulb itself.
Why Are 2015 Nissan Altima Headlights Too Dim?
Many users claim the 2015 and 2016 Nissan Altima headlights too dim and didn’t project light very far.
The culprits behind are an aged reflective surface or lens, damaged ground wires, and a faulty or unstable alternator that leads to poor battery power.
Dull Headlight Reflective Surface And Halogen Bulbs
The reflectors in your car’s headlight assembly increase the brightness of the headlight bulbs. And headlights lose their brightness when the reflecting surface ages.
In the case of the 2015 Altima headlights dim, the assembly’s inside reflector cup melts due to a lack of ability to withstand the heat produced by the halogen light bulbs.
The projector cup’s reflecting coating burns off, leaving behind burned material that covers the lens and weakens the beam.
Damaged Ground Wire
A corroded or damaged ground wire is among the typical reasons for dim headlights Nissan Altima. The chassis of your vehicle and the bulb circuit are connected via ground wires.
Suppose the connector is unclean or broken, or there are corrosion forms on the wire; it will disrupt the electricity’s flow. This is frequently enough to restrict the output of the light bulbs.
Faulty Alternator
A failed alternator is another frequent cause of Nissan Altima headlights too dim.
It would be best to check the alternator immediately if you observe that the lights decrease and brighten in response to engine revs.
Nissan Altima dim headlights won’t be your biggest issue if it fails.
The car’s battery will start to draw electricity, and since it stops being recharged, it will soon run out of power entirely. As a result, you will be stranded in the middle of the road.
Keep in mind that a bad alternator can also ruin your car battery. Thus, bring your vehicle to the auto repair shop if you notice any sign of a malfunction alternator.
Aging Lenses
Dim lighting is unrelated to electricity usage or deteriorating light bulbs. Instead, they are linked to the deterioration of the light lens, which is the substantial plastic cover that shields the interior light bulbs.
Older lenses turn yellow, reducing the light amount that may escape and limiting your nighttime driving visibility.
Unstable Alternator
Dimming lights might not be a clue that the alternator is failing, but alternator belt slack could be at blame.
The alternator belt must be tight to turn the pulley properly. Headlights that are dimming and brightening are a sign of this. Check the belt for wear and tear as well as excessive free-play.
How To Make 2015 Nissan Altima Headlights Brighter
When the headlights on your car become insufficient, you must take quick action. Here are some solutions that can get your 2015 Nissan Altima headlights dim fix:
- Replace the worn-out capsules or headlights. Old capsules tend to deteriorate, and the lights are duskier over time. Thus, replacing them will produce a brighter beam.
- Replace your current capsules with a more vibrant version. Select bulb replacements that are more vibrant than the original ones for the simplest upgrading. Keep in mind that lights with greater brightness tend to have shorter lifespans.
- Restore and clean the headlight lenses. Although this is more challenging than changing the dimmer light capsules, it is still doable at home. Purchasing a restoration kit is the most straightforward approach to repairing a headlight lens.
- Adjust headlamps. Your headlights and lights may still have a feeble low beam even though they are in great working order and have been well cleaned. The headlamps are likely not set properly in this situation.
They require a minimum of experience to adjust properly. Thus, bring your vehicle to a repair shop and leave it to the experienced mechanic.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Nissan Altima Headlight?
It depends on where you choose to change your head light. Replacement for Nissan Altima headlights dim can cost between $197 and $242.
While $138 to $168 is the predicted cost of parts, labor costs can fall anywhere between $59 and $74.
As you can tell, this process is quite expensive. Suppose you don’t complete the payment; the mechanic can refuse to release your vehicle, bringing you an extra burden.
In case you don’t want to spend your money on the headlight replacement, you can sue Nissan for this problem.
The brand will settle the case and fix your beam lights for free. You can also apply this way to fix your 2014 Nissan Altima headlights too dim problem.
Has Nissan Issued A Headlight Recall?
A class action lawsuit asserts that halogen headlamp-equipped 2013–2018 Nissan Altima models have a flaw, leading to the 2015 Nissan Altima dim headlights.
While there is no recall on the 2015 Altima, the manufacturer has agreed to a class action Settlement. Plus, all authentic Nissan replacement parts had a new design starting in December 2018.
Can I Drive With Dim Headlights?
Although you can still see and drive with dim, cloudy headlights, this is not advisable. The headlights should always be operational to drive safely after dusk.
Driving with functional headlights not only keeps you safe but also prevents you from being pulled over by cops.
So, remember to change this part periodically, as old headlights tend to dangerously dim.
Conclusion
2015 Nissan Altima headlights too dim is a big problem you need to solve since it could endanger you.
We have explained how the headlights work and why they are dim.Many vehicles from this brand have the same issue, such as the 2013 Nissan Altima headlights too dim.
Luckily, you can also apply the above solutions to fix the problem.