Headlight Bounce

[LJason]

I know this has nothing to do with gauges and I apologize for it. I just registered but I for some reason cannot post a new thread. I may need to be "authorized" by a moderator first. My question is simple...I have a '95 miata with a real bad headlight bounce....approx 2" bounce on one side and atleast a 1" bounce on the other. I I'm not talking about a shake hear....they "bounce" up and down. They bounce significatly enough so night that night time riding is unsafe for me and other drivers. Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[kcbhiw]

Are you actually witnessing the headlight housing move or just a bounce in the light pattern?

If the headlight housing is moving, then there's likely a loose connection in the headlight motor control wiring.

If the vibration is seen only in the light pattern, the lift arm bushings could be worn, the lamps not secured tightly, or the lamp filament has aged allowing sag.

 

[LJason]

Sorry for not being more specific....the whole housing is bouncing.....This is a car I just bought....do you have any pics that would aid in the fix? Thanks again.......

 

[kcbhiw]

Sorry for not being more specific....the whole housing is bouncing.....This is a car I just bought....do you have any pics that would aid in the fix? Thanks again.......

I don't have any pictures, however the arms attach between the motor assembly and movable headlight door and are pretty easy to find. Have a friend raise and lower the headlights while you observe the operation from under the hood.

1"-2" of movement, as you described, is a lot of slop and I can't imagine where that much would come from. Unless the three bolts securing the motors are missing or the two hinge points on the headlight doors are broken, I can't fathome how that much bounce would occur.

There are also 2 nuts and one bolt that secure the entire assembly to the car that might be loose for some reason or another. Pop the hood and start wiggling things around to see if you can determine the location of the play. There are really only a couple of moving parts.

 

[JDM-P5]

As of late my headlights have been tripping balls and go up & down by themselves...I have to unplug them just so they don't cycle while I'm driving or drain the battery at night...I think the connections got wet or something (not sure)...it started to occur when the weather changed to rainy season though.

Kev...ideas?

 

[Meierznutz]

I would pull the connectors and apply a lot of Dielectric compound to them before pushing them together again. That stuff works great, I use it on everything electrical on my cars and trucks. It's the only way I can keep the connections on my plow to keep working. New England salt/snad can do a number on exposed connections like trailer plus and stuff. Try electrical parts spray to get things good and clean first.