| Blinking headlight [message #475186] |
Thu, 13 October 2005 00:06 |
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I've got a '96 Miata. Lately, when I turn off my headlights, the
passenter side headlight closes and then opens 3-4 times before finally
staying closed. I'm assuming that some sensor that should sense it closes
is failing and the motor cycles until the sensor finally kicks in. Has
anyone seen this before and can anyone tell me where the sensor is? Built
into the headlight motor or mounted on the headlight "door"? Any
suggestions appreciated...
David Dixon
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| Re: Blinking headlight [message #475187 ] |
Thu, 13 October 2005 01:52 |
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"David Dixon" <daviddixon [at] mindspring.com> wrote:
> I've got a '96 Miata. Lately, when I turn off my headlights, the
>passenter side headlight closes and then opens 3-4 times before finally
>staying closed. I'm assuming that some sensor that should sense it closes
>is failing and the motor cycles until the sensor finally kicks in. Has
>anyone seen this before and can anyone tell me where the sensor is? Built
>into the headlight motor or mounted on the headlight "door"? Any
>suggestions appreciated...
I don't know that it has any sensors, but electrical problems can do that.
Pull the HEAD and MAIN fuses in the engine bay fuse box, then try
cleaning all the contacts, including ground. Also check for wire damage.
Leon
--
Leon van Dommelen :) Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)
rammm [at] dommelen.net http://www.dommelen.net/miata
EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)
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| Re: Blinking headlight [message #475189 ] |
Thu, 13 October 2005 01:57 |
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"David Dixon" <daviddixon [at] mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:%Nf3f.13858$QE1.1242 [at] newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net...
> I've got a '96 Miata. Lately, when I turn off my headlights, the
> passenter side headlight closes and then opens 3-4 times before finally
> staying closed. I'm assuming that some sensor that should sense it closes
> is failing and the motor cycles until the sensor finally kicks in. Has
> anyone seen this before and can anyone tell me where the sensor is? Built
> into the headlight motor or mounted on the headlight "door"? Any
> suggestions appreciated...
>
> David Dixon
>
RX-7s did this when a bushing in the opening linkage wore and/or fell out.
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| Re: Blinking headlight [message #475192 ] |
Thu, 13 October 2005 21:14 |
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Leon van Dommelen wrote:
>David Dixon wrote:
> > I've got a '96 Miata. Lately, when I turn off my headlights, the
> >passenter side headlight closes and then opens 3-4 times before finally
> >staying closed. I'm assuming that some sensor that should sense it
closes
> >is failing and the motor cycles until the sensor finally kicks in. Has
> >anyone seen this before and can anyone tell me where the sensor is?
Built
> >into the headlight motor or mounted on the headlight "door"? Any
> >suggestions appreciated...
>
> I don't know that it has any sensors, but electrical problems can do that.
> Pull the HEAD and MAIN fuses in the engine bay fuse box, then try
> cleaning all the contacts, including ground. Also check for wire damage.
Also make sure to check and clean the contacts on the headlight actuator
motor itself.
Now if you had the wink installed, I'd know exactly what the problem is! <g>
Iva & Belle.)
'90B Classic Red.)
#3 winkin' Miata
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| Re: Blinking headlight [message #484398 ] |
Sat, 22 October 2005 07:11 |
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"David Dixon" <daviddixon [at] mindspring.com> wrote in
news:%Nf3f.13858$QE1.1242 [at] newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net:
> I've got a '96 Miata. Lately, when I turn off my headlights, the
> passenter side headlight closes and then opens 3-4 times before
> finally staying closed. I'm assuming that some sensor that should
> sense it closes is failing and the motor cycles until the sensor
> finally kicks in. Has anyone seen this before and can anyone tell me
> where the sensor is? Built into the headlight motor or mounted on the
> headlight "door"? Any suggestions appreciated...
>
> David Dixon
>
>
My '90 does the same thing (driver's side though), but only at near or
below freezing temperatures. It's been doing it for years, and I've just
learned to live with it, given that it remains the only mechanical failure
(if you can call it that) of any kind that the car has had in the 16 years
I've had it.
Many years ago, when I was at the dealership I described the problem to the
service manager, who replied "you need a new retractor motor." Which I
suppose would make sense if the motor were not working at all, but since
mine occasionally works too much, it would seem to me that the problem must
lie elsewhere. But where, and why cold temperatures trigger the symptom,
have remained mysteries to me, so, as I said, I just live with it.
If you get yours sorted out I'll be interested to hear the details.
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