I have read many threads but am looking for input.
When I purchased the z it had 10k bulbs in place and the lighting was pretty bad.

I recently returned from out of the country and pulleed the z out of storage for the last year and half. I had new bulbs installed that I picked up from Autozone.

The driver side will not adjust up or down and appears to be much dimmer and lower than the passenger side. Is it broken? misaligned? A ballast that is "going" bad.

The passenger side will adjust. However, it has a strange "hot" spot.

Is it possible one of the bulbs may be upside down? Any input would be appreciated.

 

if you screwed it in correctly, the light emitted should all be aligned if you turn on the lights... so most likely it is not screwed in correctly.

 

I had the bulbs installed at a local shop. I should have taken the time to do it myself. Would you say the hotspot on the passenger sid is normal and the light output on the driver side is bad?

 

What do you mean by "hotspot"? are we talking on the lens directly? if so, then that's normal, you're talking about at least 4300k... that can get pretty warm on the lens. If not, you need to be more specific on the location of this "hotspot."

As for a ballast going bad, what year is your car? and what bulbs are you using?

 

What I mean by hotspot is not meant as temperature. I am referencing the light dispursement on the ground produced from the passenger light. It does not appear to be spread out but moreso as a spot.

I have a 2003 350z HID Touring Model
The bulbs were from Autozone, I have the boxes at home.

 

Try to take a picture of the light, I guess it'll help with explaining the problem.

As for the bulbs, are they the 4300k rating or higher? Try switching the bulbs to see if you have the same effect, if you don't, then it's just a bad bulb and return it for a new one, if it does, then probably do have a bad ballast and need to change it.

 

Thanks for the idea of swapping the bulbs. i agree it will help me figure what my issues are, bulb, ballast, or the mounting of the bulb.
Sometimes you need a 2nd brain to point out the obvious.
Thanks

 

you did use D2R bulbs correct?

 

The bulbs are correct, the problem was that the driver side bulb had rotated and was not correctly placed. Additionally, someone cut the wire clip and my dad and I had to improvise. Problem is that the passenger side light will adjust up and down properly, but the driver side will only place the light about 5 feet in front of the car and will not adjust any higher. I am going to remove the headlights and order some new ones. I will be placing these for sale 1 perfectly functional passenger side and 1 driver side w minor issues..

I know there are two wheels:
Top wheel adjusts on the vertical axis does that mean the bottom wheel is for the horizontal axis?