ladydifber

Hello everyone, i'm new to your forum but expect ya'll probably can help with some tech info..i have headlight problem, low beams work but are dim..high beams don't work at all and someone told me it was the combo switch..does this sound right. Also i ordered a new master air flow sensor, is it difficult to change out and anything i should be aware of while doing it?

enigma32

You're sure the low beams aren't as bright as they should be?
I don't know why a combo switch would cause that, but it could definitely cause the high beams to not work....

Welcome to the forum!

ladydifber

yes low beams are very dim..wipers work, dash lights work too..just no high beams..i've only been able to find a combo switch from dealer..was thinking about trying a junk yard, is this a good idea?

enigma32

You probably could pull the whole combo-switch unit off of another car quite easily...
But you might want to look into why the low beams are dim first....

What voltage is showing on the display cluster?

ladydifber

it's just a little above middle, I guess about 12 volts

enigma32

If it's at 12 volts while the car is running then you should probably have your alternator and battery tested... Mine reads at about the 3/4 mark when the engine is running....
Lots of autoparts stores (AutoZone?, Advance?, PepBoys?) will test them for free for ya.
If it's 12 while the car is off then check it while the car's on

MarkPerez

Yeah you can, Go to a junkyard, if you pull your own parts, look for cleanest doner car you can. Pull the steering wheel,remove the bezel around the steering colum,OH,the nut that holds the steering wheel on is the same size as the lug nuts...Under the combo switch is a clamp, one screw. un-plug all plugs and it's free.

ladydifber

thanks ya'll that really helps..guess I'll be at the pic a part on Saturday..gotten other non essential items that way.

mwpayne

If that doesn't work out for ya, check with WAM in the 'parts for sale' section, he's got 'em.
Good luck!

MyRxBad

Did ya check if the headlights are any good. Not that likely they would both go dim, but I've had both low beams go on me at the same time and thought I might have a major problem on my hands when all I had to do was throw in a new set of lights.

Start with the basics, otherwise the combo switch could use a cleaning (or change.)
Whatever is easier for you.

If you can't find one, let me know, as I have a spare in my garage.

ladydifber

thanks for all the info..no I had not tried changing the headlights. I thought since dims worked and brights didn't it would be the switch. Some guy at automotive shop said it was the switch. I'll let ya know one way or the other what the problem is after this weekend.

Chemical

My high beams weren't working (except when the switch was held back), and my low beams were intermittent, so today I cleaned the switch out and it all works perfectly..

WD-40 works wonders for this if you don't want to disassemble the whole thing

scca racer

Make sure the ground is making good contact as well.

enigma32

uh...
Try electrical contact cleaner instead of WD-40 next time =)

ladydifber

ok, some great things to try..I have the plastic column cover off the steering column and can see the combo switch..so how can you be more specific on how to clean this thing..do I just spray it and take a swab to the contacts? Also when I push the arm control to turn on the brights i don't even get the blue light on the dash board lit up anymore! so what ya think?

scca racer

Sounds like the switch. The light on the dash is through that switch as well.

ladydifber

ok..well I'll try junkyardfirst, Mazda dealer wants $250 for part.

vipernicus42

iTrader: (4)

ouch... even I wouldn't pay 250 for it.. eew...

Yeah, those combo switches can be a bugger.... I need one to get my windshield washer fluid sprayer to work. I need that to work in order to pass safety, or I'd just wire a moment-switch directly to it and be done with it.

Jon

Chemical

Well to be specific, all I did was remove the steering column shroud, disconnect the battery and spray the hell out of the combo switch..
I moved the switches around till it all dripped out (lots of grit and grime dripped out) and then when I reconnected the battery it worked perfectly

No need to buy a 250$ replacement

ladydifber

Well now I have bigger problem..took the switch off and the insides of the grey metal case came out with it..couple little parts with a spring and can't seem to get it all back together. Sraped with cleaner on combo switch, that didn't help, replaced headlights and that didn't work...So now I have a mess of little parts that wont go back together. Guess that's what i get for trying to do it myself! Had some help from my son, but we are both amatuers.

ladydifber

MyRXBad...may need to get in touch with you about your spare combo switch...can you email me?

mar3

iTrader: (8)

You need to plead for help from the South Forum crowd...there are several SE'ers there and some of that group lives in Garland...

ladydifber

Plead, yes I surely am..also I'll offer a steak on the grill...is there anyone that can help me...Pleeeeeease

ladydifber

I posted for some help in the South forum, so if anyone is in my neighborhood, well you get the idea!

MarkPerez

C'mon guys, give the lady a hand !!!