GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

The headlamps must be aimed properly for proper illumination of the road. Test the headlamp aim under the following conditions:

    • When a new headlamp or halogen bulb assembly is installed.
    • Service or repairs to the front end area may have disturbed the headlamps or the headlamp mountings.

Headlamp focus is set when the headlamp unit is manufactured. No adjustment for focus is necessary or possible.

Important: Some state and local laws specify requirements for headlamp aim. These laws must be followed.

An adjusting screw on the outer side of the headlamp assembly controls the horizontal aim. An adjusting screw in the upper inboard area controls the vertical aim. Adhere to the following instructions when aiming the headlamps.

Aim Preparation

Perform the following actions in order to prepare the vehicle for aiming the headlamps:

    • Completely assemble all of the components on the vehicle.
    • Place the vehicle on a level surface.
    • Verify that the tires are inflated to the proper pressure.
    • Verify that the fuel level is full.
    • The driver or an equivalent weight 74.84 kg (165 lbs) must be in the vehicle.
    • Close the doors.
    • Rock the vehicle from side to side in order to stabilize the suspension.
    • Stop all of the unnecessary operations or work on the vehicle that affect the vehicle trim.

Visual Headlamp Aiming Procedure

Location

    • Darken an area large enough to allow for the vehicle and an additional 7.62 m (25 ft) measured from the face of the headlamps to the front of the screen.
    • The floor must be level with the bottom of the screen. If the floor is not level, provide appropriate compensation.

Aiming Screen


    Object Number: 280087  Size: SH
  1. Use an aiming screen that meets the following specifications:
  2. • A height of 1.52 m (5 ft)
    • A width of 3.66 m (12 ft) (3)
    • A matte white surface
    • Shaded from ambient light
    • Properly adjusted to the floor.
    • Moveable in order to allow parallel alignment with the rear axle of the vehicle.
    • Positioned so that a horizontal line will pass an equal distance midway between the two headlamps.
  3. The screen should have the following characteristics:
  4. • A vertical centerline (5)
    • Two laterally adjustable vertical pieces of tape (2)
    • One vertically adjustable horizontal piece of tape (6)
  5. If a standard commercial aiming screen is not available, use a wall having a clear uninterrupted area at least 1.83 m (6 ft) high by 3.66 m (12 ft) wide. The surface should be finished with a washable, no-gloss white paint.
  6. After setting up and locating the aiming screen, paint or tape a reference line on the floor, 7.62 m (25 ft) from the screen.
  7. Park the vehicle with the front of the headlamps directly over the reference line.

Visual Procedure

  1. Prepare the vehicle as described above in the Aim Preparation paragraph.
  2. Park the vehicle square with the screen and with the headlamps directly over the reference line.
  3. Verify that all components are in place if other service has been performed on the vehicle.
  4. Perform the following steps in order to line up the center line of the vehicle with the center line of the aiming screen:
  5. 4.1. Use tape in order to mark the vertical center of the vehicle and the front windows.
    4.2. Use the tape lines as sights in order to line up the centerline of the vehicle and the screen.

    Object Number: 280085  Size: SH
  6. Adjust the vertical tapes on the screen in order to match the vertical centerline of each lamp. Measure the distance from the centerline of the vehicle to the centerline of the low beam lamp.
  7. Adjust the horizontal tapes on the screen in order to match the horizontal centerline (3) of the low beam headlamp. Measure the height from the floor to the center of a low beam.
  8. Turn on the low beam lamps. Adjust the headlamps according to the following conditions:
  9. • The left edge of the high intensity zone on the screen for the low beams is on the vertical line for each side.
    • The top edge of the high intensity zone on the screen for the low beams is on the horizontal line for each side.

Mechanical Aiming Procedure

Tools Required

J 25300-D Headlamp Aiming Kit

  1. Prepare the vehicle as described above.

  2. Object Number: 522416  Size: SH

    Important: Use the universal aimer on a known level floor or calibrate the universal aimer for floor slope.

  3. Select and assemble the universal adapter (3) that fits the aiming pad (1) pattern on the lens of the headlamp.

  4. Object Number: 522342  Size: SH
  5. Move the adjustment rods (2) to the number that agrees with the number located on the headlamp lens.
  6. Attach the adapters. Verify that the correct adapter is used with the correct side aimer.
  7. Place the aimers with the adapters on to their respective sides.
  8. Verify that all of the adjustment rods (2) contact the aiming pads. Add or remove an extension stud as necessary.
  9. Follow the instructions included in the J 25300-D in order to aim the headlamps.