Spastic headlights

Audio, Electronics and Lighting questions and answers

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lil_mike

Spastic headlights

Postby lil_mike » Thu May 22, 2008 5:47 pm

ok, sort of interesting issues i'm having with my NA6.

firstly, the headlights come on whenever the car is on. not saying they pop up, just the lights are on constantly. what the hell would be causing this?

secondly, and this one is entertaining. When you push the button that makes the headlights come up without turning the lights on, they go spastic. they go up and down at different speeds and they just keep doing it. its like watching someone with an incredibly obvious twitch on fast forward.

any ideas?

Mike

Juffa
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Postby Juffa » Thu May 22, 2008 8:59 pm

With regards to the head lights always being on, I have had a similar issue. It was due a fault in the wiper/headlight/turn signal electrical switches mounted around the steer column. Try pushing the headlight stalk forward and see what that does.

As for the lights going up and down. Are the lights on when this happens. Try it again after pushing the headlight stalk forward and let us know what happens.

J
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Mr Morlock
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Postby Mr Morlock » Fri May 23, 2008 5:51 pm

lil mike I am being lazy but I am pretty sure there are some posts about why your pop ups cycle when they should not. It might have been on the Miata garage. Careful about getting your hands in the way if you are fault diagnosing other wise you might have to change your moniker to 4fingersmike.

lil_mike

Re:

Postby lil_mike » Mon May 26, 2008 9:26 am

Mr Morlock wrote:lil mike I am being lazy but I am pretty sure there are some posts about why your pop ups cycle when they should not. It might have been on the Miata garage. Careful about getting your hands in the way if you are fault diagnosing other wise you might have to change your moniker to 4fingersmike.

ah thanks, i'll have a look there. four fingers hey, well, i could think of worse parts to lose in a headlight motor :lol: i'll be careful though

lil_mike

Postby lil_mike » Tue May 27, 2008 5:17 pm

nope, no luck. couldnt find any articles related to the issue.

back to square one i guess.

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Postby nfs13b » Tue Jun 03, 2008 11:55 am

when I was stuffing around with the wiring on my car the waving lights was caused by a bad earth and there is also a relay I think in the engine bay.
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lil_mike

Re:

Postby lil_mike » Thu Jun 05, 2008 9:08 am

nfs13b wrote:when I was stuffing around with the wiring on my car the waving lights was caused by a bad earth and there is also a relay I think in the engine bay.


Hmmm, i'll have a look at that this afternoon then. do you know where abouts in the engine bay the relay is?

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Postby nfs13b » Thu Jun 05, 2008 9:20 am

nah i dont. I pulled all the wiring out of the engine bay and reran it all down the drivers side so I dont know where it originally was.
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lil_mike

Postby lil_mike » Sat Jun 07, 2008 11:48 am

i think i found the relay, just gotta replace it now.

lil_mike

Postby lil_mike » Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:39 pm

scrap that, it wasnt that relay. whats happaning is something else. When you turn the 'pop-up' button on the motors just keeps turning, it doesnt stop. this then causes the headlights to continue going up and down.

anyone have any ideas on how to stop it doing this?

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Postby Mr Morlock » Fri Jun 20, 2008 5:25 pm

I think you need to get the wiring diagram and talk to a mechanic or auto elec.If you cannot read the wiring dia they will. You can also get out library books and a Haynes or such like gives run down on finding faults- borrow a multi meter and keep yr fingers well away from cycling lights. If it cycles then it is not getting the signal to cut the current.

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Postby Mr_Q » Fri Jun 20, 2008 7:26 pm

There's another relay for the headlights under the dash. Haven't heard of it causing the problems you're having but might be worth a look.

It's right under the steering wheel, just above the pedals. It's next to the indicator relay.

I found it/replaced it when my headlights sometimes wouldn't pop up (they'd light up, but not raise up).
Mister Q
Had: Red 2004 SE, Red 1993 NA8 Clubman, Green 1991 NA6 LE

lil_mike

Re:

Postby lil_mike » Sat Jun 21, 2008 10:43 pm

Mr Morlock wrote:I think you need to get the wiring diagram and talk to a mechanic or auto elec.If you cannot read the wiring dia they will. You can also get out library books and a Haynes or such like gives run down on finding faults- borrow a multi meter and keep yr fingers well away from cycling lights. If it cycles then it is not getting the signal to cut the current.

yeah i learnt my lesson about keeping your fingers out of the way. almost lost them.

i'll have a look at the wiring diagram then, hopefully can convince electrician friend to help.

I'll check that relay too, thanks Mr_q


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