I've got an Escort van, smiley face K plater 1992 vintage.

If I click the stalk forward for high / main beam although the lights get brighter and shine down the road further, it's quite dim in the near ground.

If I click the stalk back (like you do when flashing the lights at someone) and hold it, the lights in foreground as well as distance are much brighter.

However I can't drive round at night manually holding the stalk backwards all the time, so I have to put up with average lights with the stalk forwards. Plus I wonder if I'll burn something out keeping them pulled on manually.

Is this normal? It's almost back to front to me... basically the lights are much better when flashing someone than when on permanently. Do I need to rewire something, or is this how they are on everyone's Escorts?