MX5 NA Miata - How to replace your headlight bulbs

[@AlexPerrucci]

Great video! Covered everything you need to know. I’m installing Cibie e-codes with a replaceable bulb in my Miata today.

[@MiataMods]

So was the install? Everything worked out?

[@AlexPerrucci]

@@MiataMods Yep super easy. Really like the headlights!

[@billhoot8260]

Thanks for the demo on oem lamps. I just changed out both with the identical Sylvania OEM lamps. One was a 93 and the other a 98. No surprises and again thanks!

[@MiataMods]

No problem, I’m glad my video was helpful 👍

[@patrickweegels7338]

The chopped off fingers are brilliant :))

[@MiataMods]

Got to make the video fun to watch right? 😉

[@MrLiefather]

Thank You mate ! First time changing lightbulb, took only 5minutes thanks to Your tutorial :)

[@davidchandler8881]

Great video, very helpful, and covered everything necessary for me to change my headlamp bulbs successfully. Thanks.

[@MiataMods]

No problem David, great to hear my video was helpful!

[@robinforrest7680]

I knew this would come in useful sometime. I saved it on my phone when it came out. Last time I did this it took me about 2h figuring out which screws did what (and removing them all Doh!). This time round 45' chrono! Job done 😊 Thanks!

[@MiataMods]

Good to hear! Thanks for the response!

[@BecauseMiata]

Great video! My latest video was also changing bulbs...but on my wife's car. My Miata still has the stock sealed beams, so this upgrade is definitely towards the top of my mod list!

[@MiataMods]

And a really easy one too! 👍

[@MiataMods]

Btw I watched the video and to put a piece of cardboard between the battery and the cable is a pretty smart move, nice one!

[@Great_XicoZe]

What are the bulbs you are using for blinkers? Can o make a movie about them?

[@MiataMods]

I will eventually! They are called 1157 switchback LED’s. If you Google that you will find what you need! 👍

[@konstantinosf.7464]

@@MiataMods Do you need a jumper resistor for them (led's) and what headligths you use?

[@FernieCZ]

Neat video! Just one little bit of info: OEM headlights are sealed only in US models, because of some regulations. They also have different light patters. Most of european MX-5s should have Koito H4 reflectors from factory.

[@MiataMods]

Thanks man, but are you sure? I have a European model and when I swapped the headlights for aftermarket ones I removed rusty old sealed headlights 🤔

[@FernieCZ]

There might be some exceptions depending on year. But generally it should be like this. Early Miatas are sometimes really strange. I could go on about it a long time :D

[@MiataMods]

Haha well thanks for sharing your experience!

[@nathchp]

FernieCZ I have an import what will that be like

[@Bbeavis]

Some fancy looking aftermarket headlights you have there my friend!

[@MiataMods]

Thank you sir ☺️

[@Avram42]

That's a really clean Miata. Where are the seats from? Headlight aiming procedure is AWOL and I'm looking to buy some Cibies-- do you have an updated link?

[@MiataMods]

Thanks! They are just the OEM seats but fully reupholstered. I fixed the link for the headlight aiming procedure! You can find it in the video description. Good luck!

[@Avram42]

@@MiataMods Thanks; saved for posterity. They didn't make black (p)leather seats OEM though which is what threw me.

[@D1Philly]

First, love your channel. Bought my first NA this year, and your videos have already helped a lot in maintaining and improving what was already a solid base model to start with (loved doing the headrest speakers!). I want to upgrade the lights now as the oem's are very disappointing. What are your headlights? They seem clear glass lenses (Hella?) but I'm having trouble finding any... Grtz from Belgium, friend!

[@MiataMods]

Hey neighbour! I switched back to the old housing because I didn't like the light output on these ones. I bought them second hand so I'm not sure where to buy them. I do know that IL Motorsport (located in Germany) sells a nice clear headlight set so maybe you can check those out? Good luck!

[@D1Philly]

@@MiataMods thanks for the reply! I eventually sticked with the original headlights and a set of Osram Cool Blue Next Gen light bulbs. The output is amazing, shines very bright white. I found a Hella heavy duty wiring loom with relay I have yet to install. Thicker wire gauge and ceramic plugs to deal with higher outputs, and a relay to deal with the power instead of the headlight switch itself.

[@gregg7363]

Is there any best practice for reinstalling the headlight bowl? Having a tough time getting the headlight lined back up.

[@MiataMods]

Not really a best practice... I agree it can be a bit annoying with lining everything up correctly

[@J4mes.co.uk1]

This video is definitely more informative than ours 😂😂😂

[@MegatronBlue17]

Hey dude just wanted to say I enjoy your videos, you do a great job.

[@MiataMods]

Thanks for the compliment! ☺️

[@ccjerry]

Thanks. Very helpful video. Saved me lot of time and some dirty words

[@MiataMods]

Haha no worries mate 👍

[@SpirosAliprantis]

Just on time! Great video mate!

[@MiataMods]

Thanks man!

[@theantoine0033]

hey when i switch to high beams only the right one turns on but when i turn the engine on they both works. do you have any ideas of what the problem is ? anyway wonderful work and have a great day

[@MiataMods]

No I don't, sorry! Electrical work is not my area of expertise

[@nsnv]

Great video, thank you.

[@ExhaustedOfficial]

I’m doing this myself soon too so this is very helpful cheers buddy

[@MiataMods]

No problem man, glad I could help!

[@danielbaker716]

very nicely done video with great details like the safety tip to pull fuse on retractor before working!! I'm impressed with video quality, creative editing without getting to crazy. ;) I'm wondering what camera and editing sw was used.... ?

[@MiataMods]

My camera is a Sony fdr-x3000 and I use Sony Vegas to edit all the footage

[@Swagrecon6]

What leds do you use for the front lights, the lights below the headlights? And also what cover is that, it looks really clear.

[@MiataMods]

The standard blinker bulbs are replaced by 1157 switchback LED’s and I’ve added a T10 LED in the corner. What do you mean by cover? The clear glass of the blinker?

[@Swagrecon6]

MiataMods yeah, the standards usually arent as clear as yours. Are yours glass?

[@MiataMods]

No it’s plastic and I got it from a local parts dealer. If you Google ‘clear blinkers miata’ you will find what you are looking for. Thanks for watching!

[@schellingrs]

Excellent Job as always my friend.

[@MiataMods]

Thanks for the compliment man!

[@jonathanparkhurst1080]

What headlight bulb goes inside the housing?

[@MiataMods]

Philips WhiteVision Ultra H4

[@jackmartin7733]

Thanks for the useful video man! I’ve just swapped mine out to 7” JEEP headlights which have the 3 notches as you showed in the video. They fit fantastically well and are simply plug and play. I’m however having an issue now of the pop up motor not working correctly and going up as soon as the ignition is turned on. Other than that it works ok with the ignition off. Do you have any ideas what might have caused this?

[@MiataMods]

Hmm no idea, but that’s strange. Did you mess with the wiring while installing the JEEP headlights?

[@avva97]

Hi i just did the same on my na with the same problem, problem goes away if i just swap back to my old headlights,did you figure out a solution?

[@jackmartin7733]

@@avva97 I fixed it by adding a resistor in series with the bulbs as they draw significantly less power than the previous halogen bulbs. Not sure why it helps though, as far as I’m aware, the circuits are completely separate!

[@avva97]

@@jackmartin7733 yea it seems like such a wierd problem, but i will try that!

[@jackmartin7733]

@@avva97 I have just checked my calculations and purchase history and I specced 50W 6Ohm load resistors. Hope that might help with your decisions :)

[@akiwiinswitzerland6214]

Another nicely made video, cheers mate...!!

[@MiataMods]

Thanks mate! 👌

[@akiwiinswitzerland6214]

Sorry, I don’t know your name.. I just wanted to ask... have you ever thought about getting Roll Bars ( Style Bars) ?

[@MiataMods]

Yes I have! I really want a GOOD roll bar behind the seats. Not a style bar because that will kill you for sure when you roll over (Google 'Miata mousetrap'). The only problem is that I'm a pretty tall guy and the headrest of the seat is as high as my neck so if I install a rollbar and my car gets hit from the back, my head will bounce of the rollbar and that will crack my head right open.. so I'm looking fo taller seats but I do not want bucket seats.. I want something that looks clean, like Lotus Elise seats. When I have installed the right seats, I will install a rollbar for sure!

[@MiataMods]

Ow and my name is Johan! 😉

[@akiwiinswitzerland6214]

MiataMods Hi Johan, I didn’t know anything about this ‘mousetrap’ theorey.. I really might have to reconsider installing a style bar. Thank for the tip My name is Rick 👍🏻

[@darrenscully6959]

What headlight unit are they??

[@Bbeavis]

Hey things have gone a bit quiet lately, whens the next vid J?

[@MiataMods]

Oops you noticed 😅 I’ve been a bit busy with.. life haha! New video will be uploaded next Friday!

[@stevenguzy1055]

Animal, sre today's headlight bulbs brighter than the originals in my 1992 Miata? I'm wandering if I should replace both although they are both working ok. Thanks! Steve

[@MiataMods]

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it

[@mysterytour5983]

Where? can we buy this type of head light that we just replace the bulb mine need to have the whole thing change!

[@MiataMods]

Depends on where you're located but mainly Ebay I would say

[@celestesketchez218]

Does anyone know where I can get new white holders that’s keep the headlight cover screwed on? My Miata is missing some.

[@MiataMods]

Where are you located?

[@celestesketchez218]

@@MiataMods oh I actually found the parts

[@MiataMods]

Ah nice! Thanks for letting me know!

[@nicolaspelesh6505]

are these after market head light shells?

[@MiataMods]

Yes they are

[@jdm_tuneerz6517]

Sleeper light mod?

[@MiataMods]

That will be covered in a future video! 👍

[@nolahahnshouse3389]

Way ahead of you bro! I'm sure you know though..😂😂😂

[@MiataMods]

You are planning to go low pro bro? ☺️

[@tonywilliams4410]

Thanks man! Very helpful!

[@MiataMods]

Sure man, no problem 👍

[@ZeratoxRodricks]

Anyone knows where can I get some aftermarket headlamps for my 92 Miata?

[@Chunknannigans]

Edgar Rodríguez-Vega any 7 inch round headlights will fit, i got some jeep headlights with halos and they fit perfect

[@ZeratoxRodricks]

Got it! Thanks for the help.

[@MiataMods]

@Chunkxchunk: Do the Jeep headlights also have those notches in the back as I showed in the video?

[@Chunknannigans]

MiataMods No they didn't have the 3 notches but neither did my oem headlights. I've actually never seen any miatas with those notches until this video lol. It would've been a lot easier to install for me if they did 😒

[@MiataMods]

Hmm that’s weird. How did you install them? Just put them in the headlight bucket and use the metal ring to secure it into place?

[@dwergmaster]

Do you know if there's any legal way in Europe to do a LED conversion on a NB MX-5?

[@MiataMods]

There isn't because a LED bulb in a halogen housing will not produce the correct light beam. If you don't want to be a complete douchebag and blind other people, there are two options: 1) Run the best H4 halogen bulbs you can find (I run Michiba DiamondVision SuperWhite H4 60-55 Watt 5000K) 2) Convert your setup to a legit HID (High Intensity Discharge) lights or Xenon setup with the proper housing

[@dwergmaster]

Being a douchebag is not an option :-) I'll look into your proposals! Thanks for the personal reply.

[@J4mes.co.uk1]

You can fit led h4 bulbs with a built in ballast and fan Did a video on multicoloured led halos

[@musicwithj1759]

Sorry I’m late to the party but what bulb type specifically? I want to switch to LED’s but I don’t need a whole new housing just the bulb. So what bulb type?

[@MiataMods]

I will not be answering your question because people who put LED bulbs in halogen housings are the cancer of the road. LED bulbs don't work with the reflecting surface of the housing so the light beam is all over the place and all you do is blind other drivers.

[@musicwithj1759]

MiataMods ok rude ass lmao

[@Reploidx9]

@@musicwithj1759 He's not wrong. Those people endanger everyone, especially come winter.

[@musicwithj1759]

Reploidx9 well I’m not one of those people. All I asked was a question and this dude randomly starts throwing shots at me. Fuck this dude. Shitty KZbinr who doesn’t care about his viewers lmao.

[@tommyestridge9301]

You should have changed the bulbs in both lights. If one has burned out, the other might be nearing it's failure point too.

[@MiataMods]

Maybe I did

[@34TR3m]

Screws should not ne removed at all as they align the headlight setting. You can remove the headlight by pressing it gently into its case and twisting to the left. All screws are spring loaded. This way you will not mess up your light settings

[@MiataMods]

Wrong

[@34TR3m]

@@MiataMods Fact. Read the manual

[@Auto_service_bern]

Ik heb mijn lampjes kunnen vervangen zonder ze volledig te demonteren hoor. Gewoon lampen dichtgeklapt houden, motorkap open, en zo aan de achterkant er uit prutsen (ik denk wel dat ik de zwarte afwerking kap had gedemonteerd) Maar toch ,leuk filmpje hoor.

[@MiataMods]

Kan ook, maar met deze video wilde ik ook laten zien hoe je de volledige licht unit kan vervangen, vandaar. Bedankt voor het kijken!

[@MrManicola]

thanks!

[@SuperCreeperzz]

Mooie spons

[@MiataMods]

Hahaha mooi he 😂

[@flumpaustin1994]

No way will my headlight screws budge they are so rusted. I will remove the headlight metal lid to access the bulb. That's another option for people with manky headlight screws.

[@MiataMods]

Haha yeah that's also a option.. Spray them with a good penetrating oil for a couple of days and then use a proper sized Phillips head screwdriver to remove them.. push on the screwdriver while rotating!

[@CheckpointReached]

Just found this channel and it's so helpful! Gonna use lots of this for my miata. Definitely subbed, and I think you'd like my channel too!

[@6Slick6Rick6]

Amazing video, thank you.

[@MiataMods]

No problem Rick

[@6Slick6Rick6]

@@MiataMods there was only one problem and it was that little silver cover thingy. When I put the aftermarket headlights on it was a different size but I kinda made it work 😂.