Headlight bulb issues.

[hethro87]

Hey guys,

2 questions: I own a 1999 NbA Mx5 and.....

1. For some reason, my front right headlight bulb keeps on blowing but the left one doesnt. Ive checked the fuses and they seem fine. Could it be a connection issue? This time it actually shattered inside the headlight unit and im trying to get that out to shake the fragments out which leads me to,

2. How Do I remove the actual headlight assembley to do this? Ive unbolted the top two black ones but cant seem to move it out.

Any help appreciated.

Cheers,

Hethro

[Mr Morlock]

Seems odd. You should check all connections and clean them/ check wire connections are not damaged and that no shorting is taking place ( not sure if fuse will fail??) / check for overvoltage which can effect bulb life/ is the headlamp showing any sign of water ingress- water on hard glass ( often used for bulb envelope) can cause it to shatter/ use a quality bulb say Osram or Philips record when you buy it as a failure can be diagnosed/ avoid skin contact with bulb envelope when replacing/ any other bulbs on vehicle doing the same Headlamp replacement should be fairly easy- usually just bolted in on tabs which are part of the headlamp housing moulding. You might be able to gain enough access with a tube to vacuum fragments out of the housing without removing??

[hethro87]

Hey mate,

I will check the connections today and give them a clean with some wd40. As for touching the bulbs i never do that, also there is no water seeping into the unit.

Fuses are all fine have checked the tail lights to see if they are working as prehaps that was causing an over surge but not the case.

Unfortuantly the glass has shattered everywhere inside the bulb and I wont be able to vaccum it out!

Thanks mate, im going to Mx5 Mania on tue maybe they'll help me out.

Cheers,

Hethro

[Juffa]

Fellow forum member caffeine was having similar problems some time ago. From memory it was found to have been caused by surges in the electrical system. Try sending him a message?

Edit: A quick search found referrence to an electrical short in part of the wiring loom as being the reason for Caffeine's blown bulbs (11 bulbs in 11 weeks). But I could not find the original post from 4-5 years ago.

J

[hethro87]

Hey mate thanks for the heads up ill shoot him a pm.

Are they a simple fix and will it be expensive?

Cheers,

Hethro

[Mr Morlock]

no one can tell you the cost without knowing what is the fault and how long it takes to find. I expect it will not take too long and you can do some checks for yourself.