Alternative source for headlight motors

[TheRekiker]

Hello everyone!

Im interested in the necesary parts to do a Levin to Trueno conversion. I have been diving in the electronic part catalogs reviewing all the parts needed and also the electrical wirings. Of the parts that are necesary, one of the most difficult/expensive to get is the headlight retract motors. They are extremely expensive and Im looking for alternatives. In my search for alternatives I think I may have found a possible usefull motor: the headlight motor of the Miata from 1990 to 1997, parts numbers: NA01-51-SAX and NA01-51-SBX. You can find aftermarket version of them very easy.

Here are some reference images of the Miata headlight motor:



And here are some AE86 headlight motor images:



Mechanicaly they look almost exactly the same. Electricaly there is a small difference that modifies the necersary circuit in the AE86.

The circuit of the AE86 is the following and I have recreated it in falstad circuit simulator (link) to check how it works:



The motor module of the Miata is a little bit different. It already has the Retract Relay integrated in it so that part isn't needed. Another difference is that it has the diodes of possition detection in the other direction and they are referenced to the ground. These produces a little change in the circuit needed. A relay or 2 can be used with the inputs of the Retract Control Relay to make the motor work. Here are the reference circuit of the Miata motors and the 2 versions of the circuit I have designed:




I plan to use a reproduction headlight metal structure with them to maintain the costs "low" and get working parts in good/new condition. I have attached the Falstad Circuti so you can try playing with it.

[banpei]

That's quite interesting, thanks for sharing that!
Another alternative is the MR2 headlight motor, but that one is mounted in a different position and therefore needs a bit of fettling to make it work with the AE86 headlights.

For headlight conversions, most people have imported a set of headlights + motors from the US, as often it's sold as a set. That way you're sure the brackets are included. However, they are as rare as hen's teeth nowadays.

If I may ask, from which country are you?

[TheRekiker]

(Yesterday 10:47 PM)banpei Wrote:  That's quite interesting, thanks for sharing that!
Another alternative is the MR2 headlight motor, but that one is mounted in a different position and therefore needs a bit of fettling to make it work with the AE86 headlights.

For headlight conversions, most people have imported a set of headlights + motors from the US, as often it's sold as a set. That way you're sure the brackets are included. However, they are as rare as hen's teeth nowadays.

If I may ask, from which country are you?

Yeah, the combos of headlights+motors I have found are in bad state or very expensive. I think Im going to go through the route of building it new with reproduction parts.
This is an example from Flos: link . If you get a Miata motor at least you get a new set for a decent price at pristine condition. In my case I want to go for the Kouki version that these shops don't have so I will try to reach the provider that has both version. Maybe I could get a better price even.

Im from Spain.