So I have another case of daytime only rx-7. I have been posting in the new member section for a while, unsurprisingly without getting much info on my current issues.

So basic background, '83 rx7 gsl mostly stock, had the car for about a year now and have been using it as an awesome daily driver.

Long story short, my dash lights weren't working for a while, it bugged me so I took the dash off, found the board that dimmer was located on was fried and I re-soldered a bridge into place. Lights work. Sadly I have put it all back together and now my headlights are not going up or turning on. I am concerned that I fried something while I was messing with the other electrical stuff. When I turned the car on to do a final test that everything was alright my headlights powered down (motor pushed them down) and I haven't been able to get them to come back up since.

When I turn the headlight switch (stalk) with the door open my warning goes off, so I think the stalk is fine. Fuses are all good, so are the fusible links on the drivers side. The other switch I disassembled and it seems to be in good mechanical order, no burns or shorts or anything. The switch gets ~12v when the stalk is turned to give the headlights power. I cannot get high or low beams to turn on at all, even after raising the lights by hand.

Is there anything else I can check to try to get these things back and running, or to find which part needs to be replaced?

 

You'll find downloading a wiring diagram from the link in the FAQ page to be really helpful.

 

Yup already downloaded. Have a hardcopy fsm too, I should have mention both of those in the OP. Been struggling with it for a few days, and haven't really been getting anywhere. I have traced the problems as well as I can, but I just can't see what isn't working right. Going out to see if I can't get some more info, I'll be back in a bit with some news.

 

Had the same issue a while back on my '79.
After I replaced the right headlight something touched and caused a short in the system (we didn't know at the time) .
We hooked everything up properly but the headlights wouldn't move/light up.
It took about two weeks of trouble shooting. I checked the fusible links, the connections, the headlight switch, everything.
Coming to the end now, I had a "F%$K it" moment and pulled out all of the fuses and replaced them. Well, that was the solution I found. In the wiring diagram it showed all of the functions leading to a single 10 cent fuse, after that was replaced all is fine and dandy.
The fuse looked fine but I guess that thin piece of metal just snapped.
Hope this help. It's a '79 problem/solution to an '83.

 

Sounds like a good idea, I'll trouble shoot with some know good fuses and fusible links.


Answer: at least on link is blown. It isn't melted but after finding no resistance coming through it i took it apart. Inside it's shot.

I hope my local shop can replace these, I tested lights with the other fuse I had and the lamps com up now, we'll see about light once I find replacements.

 

Local shop tried to sell me a replacement kit, but the wire was 16 gauge (way bigger then the old link) and I opted not to buy. Can I just make my own from the right hardware store components? It seems like its just .3mm gauge wire with the proper adapter on either end.

 

black dragon sells an upgraedd harness with relays to handle modern lighting. It was only like $15 or so so I grabbed it. after redoing the entire chassis harness I tossed it away, lol. if you want to run upgraded wires go for it but the hard part is the fuse box pinouts.

 

I think my issue is a little different. I am only trying to replace the single fusible link. I have the lights fully functional now, but the fix is only a temporary. What I'm asking is if I can rebuild my own fusible link using the proper grade of wire and the required mating hardware.

 

So you're saying the fusible links box is a little trashed?
If so, I don't think a NAPA or anywhere else will have one.
Or is the cord and connectors trashed?
I'm not sure on the specifics but you can find the cord and connectors.
The connectors I think can be found at a Radio Shack. The cord can be found off line.
A picture or two always helps.

By the way, nice job on fixing the lighting.

 

Original OEM fusible links are still available from Mazdatrix.

http://www.mazdatrix.com/79-85Electrical-Chassis.htm

Which means they are probably still available from the dealership, too.

 

Bought and ordered. Exactly what I needed. The closest rx7 in a junkyard is almost 50 miles away at the moment, so glad I can cheaply order that part online.

The box was fine, thankfully. The little copper wire blew out, I have just pigtailed the ends together, and once the replacement comes I'll slip that in.

Moral of the story, use an ohmmeter on those little things.

 

I purchased the Black Dragon harness and their H4 replacement headlights. The harness was around $34 and with headlights ~$100. It was the best upgrade I've done so far. Even with this upgrade, it still gets the relay trigger from the factory drivers side headlight connector. The nice thing about this is that all the headlight current is not going throiugh the headlight switch on the stalk.

 

I did the Black Dragon headlight upgrade as well. Very easy install. Are you wanting to keep everything stock? If not, get rid of those fuseable links and replace with a 2nd gen fusebox.

 

Ideally, if for cost reasons if nothing else. I hate how wimpy the headlights are (which I assume the BD upgrade also addresses), but right now this thing is serving as my daily driver rather then a toy. Eventually it will be able to make the transition to a good hobby to sink some cash into, but college expenses come first.

 

Use these to replace fusible links. You can find them at any O'AdvanceZone store
around you. The ones in the back of the picture will plug right in as replacements.
This is just a generic picture I pulled from google.

 

Interesting, I saw something like that in the store. How would I know which one to use? Is the black/brown ratings from the fusible link diagrams going to carry over to these things?

 

Two Pinks (30A) and a Yellow (60A). The yellow goes in the middle of the pinks.

 

Upgrade to the BD Headlight harness and then put in some Hella E-code lamps from Rallylights.com.

Seriously big difference from OEM.

 

+1 correct.