Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Miata NA (1991) Headlight stuck half way


Engine stalled while headlights were on.  After restarting engine, driver side  headlight  was half way and would not retract if headlights were turned off or internal headlight button pushed.

this video was helpful.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6VomjAgitU

what i did (short version)

- removed the 30 amp fuse from the fuse box in the engine compartment (circled in blue)
- disconnect the connector to the headlight motor (circled in red)
- manually cranked to the closed position
- reconnected connector
- replaced fuse
- started car



Observations

when manually turning the headlight motor to full open position (with fuse in) the resistance varied.  Some sections it was stiff and others required very little effort to turn. Have not tried the passenger side to compare

Update: The headlight got stuck several more times over the next couple of days.  First time I manually cranked open (with fuse in place).  Then next two times rather then repeat the above, I wound up starting to drive in that position and it eventually opened to the full position.  One time after about 5 minutes, another time after 10.  Is now working normally.


long version

turned the manual headlight crank down and got resistance so had power to the motor
[designed to allow you to crank open so expect you should not get resistance in that direction]
removed fuse (fuse box in engine compartment - circled in blue) 
manually raised headlight all the way open
replaced fuse - headlight reverted to partially open position (not exactly same spot)
remove fuse, manually lower headlight all the way
replace fuse - headlight reverted to partially open (not exactly same spot)
remove fuse
disconnect motor connector.  
- manually raise headlight to get better access to connector
- push the tab on the connector inwards
- struggle to disconnect
reconnect connector
manually lower headlight
replace fuse - no headlight motion (different than before when it would raise partially up)
start car
turn on headlights - both fully up
turn off headlights - both fully down






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