Hey all.
I’ve got a ‘small’ problem. It’s only happened a couple of times but it’s not good.
Every so often when I put my lights on it takes a while for the lights to pop up, which isn’t the end of the world.
Recently though when the lights are on and i’m driving along they keep going back down. This isn’t so good.
I can get them to come back up by pressing the button below the hazard lights switch but obviously this isn’t ideal.
Any ideas where I should start ?
I’d start by looking for a dry solder joint in the retractor relay under the dash… First problem I see here Ady is soldering in not a strong point for you is it? I could have a look at the Bury meet in January.
Hi Robbie … erm, not a ‘strong point’ might be an understatement !! [8-)] I’ve still got the scars !!
If you could have a look that’d be great. Especially as you lost me at the “dry solder” bit. [:$]
A dry solder, or dy joint is basically where solder has either become contaminated, and lost connuctivity, or more commonly, has just broken off.
Either way, it should just be a case of re-soldering.
It tends to be more common with PCB board, but could happen anywhere, especially where moving parts are involved, or when open to outside forces, like water and debris.
Hi guys, I was always told since owning 323f with pop ups that you should always press the button below the hazard button before tunring the lights on so they are already popped up before illumination.
Also the same when switching off - swithc the lights off then depress the button.
I was told this is the what the book describes as the correct way to operate the lights.
This is how I have operated the lights on the said 1991 323f a 1996 Mk1 5 and a 1993 Mk1 5 and I have never had any issued with them.
Could be an old wives tale though – what do you think?
Obviously doesnt help your current problem but if true could be a preventive measure once fixed.
Hi Madboy, I don’t see the logic in that. If you were meant to got through that procedure, surely the factory would have wired things accordingly…
Thanks ‘01’ … that explains dry solder. [:D]
I’ll continue using the ‘button’ when they drop until Robbie can have a look for me.
The retractor relay is more than just a relay, it has a PCB inside it. When you flash-to-pass the retractor relay, lifts the lights then holds them open for a few seconds before lowering them.
No problem having a look in January Ady, I’ll be on the scrounge for a Snap-on sticker for my new tool box as well [;)]
Hmm. I wonder which book that was.
Old wives tale is exactly what I think. You’re the only MX-5 owner I ever heard of who operates the headlights this way, yet the popup lights on Mk.1s rarely get mentioned as faults on this forum or elsewhere. Maybe on some other models of car they’re less extraordinarily reliable, but at 10 - 20 years old, the great majority of MX-5 popups are still working flawlessly.
Touchwood. [:D]