I had both headlights (but not main beam) go on me the other night. It looked like it was nothing more than the bulbs, but what worried me was the state of one of the bulbs I removed; it had partly melted, and I'd never seen a bulb do this before. The connections looked ok, and didn't look burnt, so should I get the electrics checked out? I had assumed the other bulb blew because of an increased load on the circuit, or am I talking cobblers? The car's a 92 Roadster, with Stanley seperate-bulb headlamps, so nothing mysterious there.

The connections ????? I thought the bulb insulation by the contacts were glass (i.e. heat-proof). It sounds like you had a cheap bulb.

should I get the electrics checked out?

Nah, I think the problem was the bulb construction, and a dirty contact. The dirty contact caused the bulb to get hot and melt. Now the bulb has been changed there should be no problem.

the other bulb blew because of an increased load on the circuit, or am I talking cobblers?

I have heard of this before on other cars, one bulb dies and the other goes out in sympathy. This is why it is a good idea to keep a spare bulb in the car. If both bulbs go at once then one light is better than none. (11/99)
Got in the car this morning started up as usual and found that the headlights would not raise and come on even though the dash lighting etc was illuminated. Checked the fuse box and the big headlight fuse looks fried. Firstly, I need to replace the fuse this lunchtime becuase I do not want to drive home with only sidelights - can this fuse be easly found at Halfords? and secondly what the hell caused it to blow - it was fine last night? possible just old age since the car is a '90 with 93k on the clock. Lastly, would any other fuses have blow when the headlights went? (12/99)
You should be able to get the fuse from Halfords. I wonder if the motor as gone in one of the lights that's if it uses the same fuse? (12/99)
I have a couple of follow up questions...I found that technicaly it was the fuse that had gone but instead of just blowing like a normal fuse, the fuse wire stayed intact and the fuse caseing itself melted and burned and still the wire did not break!! The upshot is that the molten plastic has now set in the socket where the fuse was and as such a replacement can't be fitted!! I am going to fit a new fuse box (bugger) and just wanted to know if a Eunos fuse box with fit correctly with a MX-5 electrical configuration ( going to get a second hand box). I am going to ask Jay later, but just wanted to see if any on you crazy guys had had any experience with fuse boxes. Thanks (this is the fuse box in the engine bay!) (12/99)
Depends on age .. they moved the components around .. but basically yes if you get the right one! (12/99)