Came home last night from work, turned lights off and the driver's side stopped about 75% of the way down. It was too dark to look into it at the moment and I have Begi's cool air box covering that area so I can't see anything under the light/lightmotor anyway. This morning I go to start the car and get a couple half-hearted cranks and then nothing. Is it possible the headlight is jammed somehow and the motor was trying to close it all night, draining the battery? The light will not go up either. When I take this **** apart tomorrow what should I be looking for?

 

Look for the bird that was lodged in your headlight all night! Probably should have raised them back up and looked last night, your motor is probably toast now.

 

would've if I could have. The light would not go up or down. Nothing I could do.

 

Retractor relay has been the culprit on some that I've heard of.

 

Well I found out what happened. I'm an idiot. I left an 11mm socket under the hood which managed to get wedged right underneath the arm of the headlight. Also found a miniature screwdriver I was missing while I was under there too.

 

11mm? I've not been around my Miata for awhile, but what's 11mm under the hood?

 

The only thing I can think of off the top of my head is one of the nuts that hold my cool air box on. Made it easier to put it back on after I found that socket at least.