Help! Headlights too dim

I have a 2006 Tacoma. I have aftermarket headlights and slowly they have been getting so dim, now to the point at night I cant see at all. I have tried replacing the bulbs, and checking the fuses to no avail. Recently they have completely gone dark. Barely lit but not enough to reflect light onto the road. Is this an issue with the plug and play with the after market lights? Or an issue with the ground cable? Or an issue with wiring? I'm contemplating purchasing new headlights and bulbs but wondering if there is an underlying issue and if anyone else has experienced this before?

 

Those headlights aren’t going to produce a good output in general.

 

Yes, you are correct, I know this. My question is to why the bulb is deteriorating and why the light from the main bulb is not being solved by being replaced. They use to work really well, but slowly have gone down to almost nothing. Even with replacing with new bulbs.

 

A) Those housings will perform terrible, as mentioned.
B) Have you checked voltage at the headlight and and at the battery? Is your truck slow to start?

Low voltage cause halogens to dim. It could be a charging issue like a failing alternator that is not keeping the voltage up in your battery, or a failing battery that isn’t holding adaquate voltage. An auto parts store can run a free charging system test for you to determine if that is the cause.

After you get that straightened out, I would recommend OEM smoked chrome housings and this:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-ultimate-headlight-upgrade-h4-not-led-or-hid.398066/

 

I second the oem or some (few) aftermarket oem style housings (oem is top notch though) and read that ultimate headlight upgrade thread! This man did his research, one of the most extensive testing I’ve seen done on this forum to date

 

The headlights are connected through plug and play clips into the truck wiring. To answer your question.

That's a great suggestion and I think you nailed it because I have replaced my alternator before. I'm running a Rockford Fosgate P1 punch and amp with pioneer speakers and touch screen deck. I replaced my alternator already once after owning the truck and this could be a sign I need another one due to the power consumption from the sound system. O checked out your link and that seems like a good solution. Thank you for the help I knew I could count on you guys!

 

A healthy alternator should have no problem keeping up with a sound system, check it at an auto parts store to determine if it is the alternator or battery.

There are 2 alternators for the trucks, the 130amp one that came with the tow package, and a lower power one that came on trucks without the tow package. If the alternator needs replacement, be sure to get the higher powered unit. Also, quality here is important, don’t buy the cheapest thing possible to get a lasting solution.

If this is the issue, you should get it checked out ASAP, as your truck is likely to leave you stranded soon by failing to have the voltage to run the starter.

 

Are the headlight connectors burned/crispy? That'll eat up power and prevent it from making it to the bulb

 

Another (easy) thing to check if you don't have a DVM is your fog lights - which appear to be OEM. Are they dim too? My logic is this: If your alternator was only putting out enough voltage to dimly light your headlights, you'd be pretty close to not having enough voltage to run many other things on the truck too. And you didn't mention anything about other problems. If your fog lights are "normal" (even with the oxidized lenses), you probably don't have a voltage / alternator problem.

 

Great point on the fogs!

 

One word, Alternator !