1 headlight dip doesn't work, but high beam fine.

[lanei]

Hello all,
Recently got the car of my dreams (I've wanted an mx5 since forever), and I'm now working slowly out all the little kinks.

My most recent conundrum is the headlight. I've got an NA eunos, with sealed units. I noticed that the drivers side headlight wasn't working, and was expecting to have to shell out for a new unit, but then noticed that if I switched to High beam it worked! The other side is working fine.

I'm under the impression that the sealed unit is a one bulb system, so I was thinking it might be a wiring thing, but I thought I'd ask the experts around on this board. Any clue?

[Bauer]

a single sealed beam (as in 1 unit for high and low beam) can blow just one of the beams iirc. So I would start with replacing the sealed beam unit.

[Okibi]

Yup, one bulb, 2 coils, sounds like new light time.

[lanei]

Cool, thanks for the quick replies. Replacement time it is!

I can see from the limited service history that came with the car, that it's had 2 units in the past year, but I don't know if it was the same side or not, so there may be something tricky going on there.

I'm very tempted to replace both of them with semi sealed units. Will any 7" H4 50/55 set work, or are the headlights on the mx5 quite individual ?

[Juffa]

Will any 7" H4 50/55 set work, or are the headlights on the mx5 quite individual ?

Yes, MX-5 uses standard 7" H4 setup. Recommend that you get a quality pair such as Hella (or Marchal if you can still get them).

Hella
5604 Halogen High / Low Beam Kit - 178mm
Description High/ low beam headlamp inserts with front position lamp aperture and sealing boot. Suitable for single headlamp systems.
Voltage 12V Globes included.
Wattage High Beam - 60W
Low Beam - 55W
Globes to suit 12V H4 (XD1260/55)
24V H4 (XD2475/70)
Contents Kit includes 2 x headlamp inserts, 2 x sealing boots and 2 x 12V globes.
Note Front position globe holder not included. Where front position lamp is required, use Part No. 1058.
ADR No 46/00
49/00
ADR Function Headlamp
Front Position Lamp
CRN 15098
15099
Accessories & Spare Parts
1056 Headlamp insert.

[93_Clubman]

Spranga's got a pair of factory NA8 headlights currently for sale in Sydney for $20 - assume they're 2nd hand, but they look ok from the photo: viewtopic.php?f=44&t=39936

[lanei]

darn, looks like I got there too late, already sold! Thanks for the tip off though!

[93_Clubman]

no probs - may be a WTB NA headlights post in the MX5 parts section might be worth a shot.

[Juffa]

Oh, and update your profile to tell us a bit more about your roadster and where you are based. That way we can direct you to local resources where available.

J

[Mr Morlock]

Juffa is spot on- Hella units are excellent. Sealed beams are not very efficient and original units were almost certainly incandescent not halogen. Stay with 60/55W - the Hella units were designed for them.