Problems with headlights raising and lowering.
 

Hello I have a 1993 FD that I just purchased. The headlights are acting funny and I am sure this is a topic that has already been covered and is fairly common with these cars.


When activating the headlights via the stalk switch, one headlight will raise and lower with turning the lights on and off. The drivers side headlight slowly lifted and will not lower again. Is the motor out in the headlight or is it a relay, fuse or vacuum line issue?

Im tempted to just swap the flip up lights for some fixed projectors...

I would start by checking power to the motors, and also check amp draw on the side that is slow. If it has a high amp draw then the motor may be bad and if you are getting less than 12 volts then you may have a wiring issue. I would agree with the the projector conversion. I think that makes the fd's look better. Hope that helps

How can I get the headlight to manually retract?

Thanks for the information, I will check that out. Do you have any recommendations for high quality Bi-xenon fixed projector lights?

Just wrapped up a troubleshooting session with my headlights as well. Check continuity on your headlight motors. High resistance means your motor is dying. Also check line voltage going into the motor. You should be getting battery voltage. Anything less and it will cause slow actuation.

How does it respond to the manual pop up switch on the instrument hood?

Make sure your battery is disconnected.

To manually raise/lower the headlights, remove the rubber boot at the back of the headlight motor. Rotate the red knob in the appropriate direction (labeled on the knob).

Thank you! Still cant decide if I am going to keep the flip ups yet. I like the smooth monochromatic look of them when they are down.

Would it be possible (maybe not legal though) to paint a set of fixed projectors the same color as the body and have the lights be able to shine though the tint/paint? Probably a pipe dream though!

Not sure, I will check when I get to the shop later day and report back! Thanks again for the info!

I'm actually getting a similar issue on my '93. The stalk switch does nothing when you flip the lights on, but if you hold the brights on, they turn on (retracted or not). The button on the dash does nothing as well.
I have been wondering how to manually lift them - thanks for that info!

If you can't operate the pop up mechanism using the manual switch on the instrument hood, it's probably the retractor relay (stock relay box location is up front next to the upper radiator hose).

If your low beam headlights don't actuate, it could be your headlight relay. Relay location is next to the driver side strut. It sits by itself on a metal support.

If all relays are good, then it's a wiring issue. You can use the Mazda wiring manual to follow a good troubleshooting procedure.

So the right headlight works just fine with the button on the dash and the stalk switch. The left will only come up and not come down.I went to manually retract the left headlight and I get it about halfway down and the electric motor starts fighting me "jiggling"the knob in my hand. I cant retract the headlight unless I remove power from the car... Do I have a bad motor and need to replace the motor/actuator assembly at this point.

If I need to replace that assembly, where is the best place to get a new unit? I see the OEM unit is around 350. Ive found some aftermarket units for around 100, are they any good?

Sounds like bad wiring or headlight motor. Did you do continuity check on the motor and voltage readings?

Has there been any electrical work done on the car (i.e. battery relocation)?

are the headlights mechanical or vaccum powered? sorry im a noob.

The actuators are electric and mechanically actuate the housings.

I'll be digging into the car next week and start figuring out what's wrong with it and get back with everyone! Thanks for the info, gives me a good place to start from!