changing headlight bulbs

suburban_ennui · Post by **suburban_ennui** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 8:14 am

got to work this morning and noticed that my left headlight was dead. Works OK in highbeam, just not regular. (What _is_ the opposite of high beam? Dipped?) I'm assuming it's a bulb issue, and not an electrical system/fuse issue.

Anyway ... any particular tips for replacing the bulb? Is this a standard bulb I can buy at Repco or Supercheap? Do I need to disconnect the battery before replacing the bulb?

Thanks.

Lawrence
(forum newbie/luddite)

Ben.Nakagawa · Post by **Ben.Nakagawa** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 8:34 am

Since you did not state your model/year, I cannot say exactly.
If early NA, it may have sealed beam lamp. If that is your case, you need to replace sealed beam or replace with one of those lamp takes H4 bulb (recommended).

If your head lamp takes H4 bulb, just replace it.
You do not need to disconnect battery, but you want switch off the head light before doing so.

suburban_ennui · Post by **suburban_ennui** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 8:51 am

it's a 1990 V Special. Not sure what you mean by a "sealed headlight" though. Does that mean the whole unit needs to be replaced?

Ben.Nakagawa · Post by **Ben.Nakagawa** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 2:04 pm

You have NA.
Sorry it should lead aseald beam unit. That is the one that you can not change bulb but need to change headlight.

Chances are 50/50 that you may have one take standard H4 bulb that previously replaced by it's life.
Take a closer look on yiur headlight unit before yiu go to the shop.

There is plenty of article and discussion at Miata.net. Search on garage area for more information.

suburban_ennui · Post by **suburban_ennui** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 2:13 pm

thanks ... yup, got the headlight assembly out and put a new one in no probs.

Ben.Nakagawa · Post by **Ben.Nakagawa** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 9:28 am

Grad you sorted out and you have one of those universal headlight assembly.
It's much easer (cheper) and lot's of builb choice.

Fletch · Post by **Fletch** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 10:44 am

On the NA's ....

Japanese imports have the sealed beam.... NZ new cars (same spec as Aussie market) have the H4 from the factory...

The sealed beam are cheap... the whole lens/bulb for ~$10-$20 from repco/supercheap/K-mart... but the H4's make a much better light pattern....

If you can afford the upgrade kit (Lens + H4 bulb), it makes a worthwhile improvement in light output... but at ~$50 to $70 a side... you have to want to do it. (replacement H4 bulbs are then $10-$20 depending on power output).

If buying either a sealed beam, or upgrading to an H4 lens... you only need to know that its 7 inches, and round.... they are essentially univearsal.

If you already have H4 lenses, you just need an H4 bulb.... standard is 50/65W (I think?) but you can go as high as 100/130W without re-wiring.

Fletch.

Ben.Nakagawa · Post by **Ben.Nakagawa** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 10:45 am

Thanks for info, so that why my NA (NZ New) has H4 lensest installed.
It's good to know more about my little car.

I agree to upgarde seald beam to H4 system, that is so much better.
But, is 100/130W leagal to use on the road? 100W bulb on fog (on other car) was keep disconnecting by garage for WOF. I was told that they had to to passing the WOF. SOm of those high wattage lamp was stamped as off `road use only at shop, and some panphlet I picjked up says oit not leagal on the road. (I cann't remember which panphlet through...)

So I will stick to standard Builb but 50+ one.

Fletch · Post by **Fletch** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 11:02 am

I dont know if technically legal... but I passed several WOF's with them.

I no longer run the high output bulbs... they seem to blow out faster, and cost more as well.

Fletch.

changing headlight bulbs

changing headlight bulbs

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