Problem with MX5 headlights....

[ricksaxby]

Hi again everyone, thanks for everyones advice on tyres.... I now have one more little problem!!

When I bought the car I noticed that one of the headlights was noticeably dimmer than the other. I had a similar problem with my Alfa GTV, it was because someone had just replaced one of the bulbs with a muh brighter bulb and the older one was not nearly as bright.

I went onto eBay and bought a set of new headlight and sidelight bulbs for the MX5. The new bulbs were the brighter white/blue type bulbs, the nearside headlight is now awesome.... much brighter than before and a noticeably white/blue tinge to the light. The offside headlight was the same when the bulbs were fitted but almost straight away went really dim again. It is now not very bright at all (although it is still lit) and is a yellowy colour as opposed to the white light of the other headlight. This is really frustrating.

HELP!!! Any ideas?

[ricksaxby]

Oh.... and it is a 1993 mk1 1.6 (UK model) if that helps at all.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[skinny]

trace the wires back and check the connections are ok - grounds are not rusted up etc.

[DennisTheMenace]

clean up the earths and make sure the plugd that sit onto the back of the bulbs are making good contact , a multimeter will help if you have one .

[ricksaxby]

I've had a good look today and the black (earth) connection to the bulb on this side has got really hot and melted so it must be an earth issue. I'll get hold of a new plug and then clean up the earth connection and hopefully we'll be alright!

Edited by ricksaxby on Saturday 12th April 19:52

[MX-5 Lazza]

In that case check that the bulbs are correct. If a previous owner has tried to improve the lighting by sticking 100W bulbs in then the wiring will probably overheat.