1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

High beam and open door noise not working

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Old 02-05-17, 05:10 PM
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High beam and open door noise not working

So one day out of nowhere the noise when you leave your lights on and open the door went away, and not too long after that my high beams stopped working. My low beams work but when I switch to high beams, my lights go off. I changed the bulbs recently so that's not it. Any suggestions?

Last edited by Jay_G; 02-05-17 at 05:36 PM.
Old 02-06-17, 01:00 AM
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Well known issue with these cars as Mazda decided to save a few bucks and wire the full 12v through the control switch on the steering binnacle. The 'right' way to do it includes using [RELAYS] to actuate the 12v from the battery to the lights, and is how the Black Dragon retrofit light wiring harness works. There's an active thread on that right now, as a matter of fact.

You may be able to get by through cleaning of the light switches inside the steering column. Know that this is a pretty complex mechanism and you need to be handy to get them working again, and it also requires removal of the steering wheel to get to the switch mechanism. It's located centrally on the shaft, and the switches for high beams and parking lights are actuated there. One guy had luck spraying electronics parts cleaner in there thoroughly and got lucky. I've had to take mine apart on several occasions because they get crudded up and cause high resistance.

There's nothing more distracting that trying to activate your high-beams on a dark road at speed and you lose all lights... I've had this happen, and it sucks.

The once-and-for-all fix is to install [RELAYS] to power the headlights, both regular beams and high-beam circuits.

Last edited by LongDuck; 02-07-17 at 12:39 AM. Reason: Changed 'solenoids' to 'relays' because I post late at night!
Old 02-06-17, 07:24 AM
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Waffles - hmmm good

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Relays not solenoids, but the advise is good otherwise. I relayed my headlights, ignition, electric
fans, and fuel pump.
Old 02-06-17, 09:29 AM
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^ Headlight, ignition and fuel pump tutorial with pictures, please!
Old 02-08-17, 02:08 PM
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Originally Posted by LongDuck
Well known issue with these cars as Mazda decided to save a few bucks and wire the full 12v through the control switch on the steering binnacle. The 'right' way to do it includes using [RELAYS] to actuate the 12v from the battery to the lights, and is how the Black Dragon retrofit light wiring harness works. There's an active thread on that right now, as a matter of fact.

You may be able to get by through cleaning of the light switches inside the steering column. Know that this is a pretty complex mechanism and you need to be handy to get them working again, and it also requires removal of the steering wheel to get to the switch mechanism. It's located centrally on the shaft, and the switches for high beams and parking lights are actuated there. One guy had luck spraying electronics parts cleaner in there thoroughly and got lucky. I've had to take mine apart on several occasions because they get crudded up and cause high resistance.

There's nothing more distracting that trying to activate your high-beams on a dark road at speed and you lose all lights... I've had this happen, and it sucks.

The once-and-for-all fix is to install [RELAYS] to power the headlights, both regular beams and high-beam circuits.
Thanks! It's happened a while ago but didn't want to take off the steering wheel. Looks like I'm gonna have too lol 🙂 Thanks




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