moneymonster

Mazda Miata headlight motors or Ford Probe headlight motors, which is better/best for our electric conversion headlights?

7t2vette

They are basically the same motors, the Probe used Mazda RX-7 motors, so whichever you can find easier and cheaper will work the same.

moneymonster

Thank you!

Richard454

The only difference between the Probe 93-97 motors and the Miata 90-97 is in the wiring.

The Maita has an extra wire to illuminate a dash light.

The Probe 89-92 uses a different motor.

They made about 3/4 million Probes as opposed to 1/4 million Miatas.

Here's a link how to test the motors-on my website-w/ wire colors

http://www.stingrayv12.com/installation.html

Richard

moneymonster

Thanks, Richard. Seems like replacements might be better/cheaper with the Probe motors. Or reason and potential supplies would indicate this.

MN80Vette

FYI, I am using Firebird Trans Am motors. They've been working fine for more than 5 years.

7t2vette

Hey Richard, for my own future reference, how are the early Probe motors different from the later ones? I know they will still be Mazda motors, but are they different enough that they can't be used for this conversion?

7t2vette

Using those motors is more complicated and expensive than the Probe/Miata conversion.

Richard454

Hey Bruce-

They certainly could be used-

There are basically the same-the wiring is different- uses the chassis ground as part of the switching so a PWM wouldn't work. And from what I have read the motors aren't as robust as the newer ones. I know my Brother's Miata has almost 260K w/ the original headlight motors. The junkyard I've been to hasn't had an older one to actually check out



YEP - need a controller

Kacyc3

and not to mention Mitas have a following and are usually parted out quick..not so much for the probes.

7t2vette

You know, I guess early Miata motors are the same as early Probe motors because when I was doing my electric wiper door conversion, one of the Miata motors I bought wouldn't work with the PWM. I eventually realized it wasn't working because it had a common ground and not an isolated ground. Good to know.