When the headlights get turned on they only flip up they wont turn on. I already replaced the fusable links, and tested all the rest of the fuses in the fuse box in the cabin. You can turn on the brights... but you can't get them to "click" to stay on. You can only pull on the switch and it will turn on the brights, but wont stay on once ya let go. Any suggestions on what to check now? They worked this morning on the way to work... but not on the way home. Thanks.

Edit: Car is an 82 GSL

 

its your combination switch i just had the EXACT same proble. Take it off and take it apart whihc canbe confusing and clean all the contact points and they should work fine. Or just buy another combination switch

 

And, just for the record, flip the switch forward to switch to high beams. Pulling it back only activates the "flash to pass" feature.
Some people have had luck with disconnecting the battery, and spraying electrical contact cleaner into the dimmer switch, and working it back and forth numerous times. If you try this method, allow it fully dry before reconnecting the battery.

 

cool thanks, i don't really know much about it since its not my car, i just fix it when it breaks :p

 

https://www.rx7club.com//showthread.php?t=441702

 

thanks for that post...
i guess i suck or something since by no means can i pull that steering wheel off ><
going to go get some electical cleaner, and see what i can do now.

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Its wierd though, I checked the continuity of the things stated in the haynes manual and they all showed up just fine like they are supposed to... who knows going to clean it anyways.

 

Yeah, just hose the stuff in there as best you can. Work the switch back and forth for a few minutes and you should be good to go. Good luck man, I know how bad it sucks to have your lights shut off on you at high speeds.

 

Alright... so I finally got the steering wheel off... that thing is a pita.
Then did the electrical cleaner... and still no dice.
So i took the damn thing off and took it apart and cleaned all the little connectors. Boy was that fun... then put it all back together... SAME THING?! (still only works when ya pull it back)
So what else should i look for... any random fuses in the cabin? what one in the engine bay is it? (the three fusable links) I just want to check *everything* since she needs her car for tomarrow morning.

 

go to a junker and find a replacement. or you can order a new combination switch. mazdatrix.com has them i believe.

 

Hmm, but I wouldn't bet that the problem is the switch. Fusible links are located on the strut tower, next to the coils. Mine has three of them, but yours might be a little different depending on year/trim. I have replaced mine with inline fuses to make it a little easier, and I have to say that it is worth doing. Good chance that that is where your issue is. Good luck...

 

Replace the wire-type fusible links with actual fuses... AutoZone (or similar) has them for under $3 each. You need 2 30amp ones, and one 60amp one. The 30's go on the top and bottom, and the 60 goes in the middle.

 

well if u got all the contact points i really dont see why its not working. The hosing down thing didnt work for me either.

 

Thats what I did when I was going through replacing all the fusable links to the fuses to see if that was the problem.
*shrugs* I have no idea whats up... since i cleaned all the connections and i made sure everything was contacting right with a multimeter...
i will take another look at it tomarrow... because if i jump 2 points together (forgot which ones [if ya look at the haynes manual, under the combo switch part, then look at the diagrams that have to deal with the headlights, its the wierd connections in the middle of the diagram vertically while the 2 outside connections are connected]) that are supposed to have continuity while the lights are on, the lights will come on... but it still shows continuity on the multimeter.
I know that post is confusing, but thats the best way i can put it right now (its raining outside and i dont wanna go get the manual i left in the car sorry)

All in all i think i just fudged something up... will take another look tomarrow, this whole thing is confusing me i can clean/fix the electrical on my 2nd gen just fine but this one is out there :p

 

Yes it is pretty complex lol. if all else fails just buy a NEW one not a USED one i got i used one and it didnt fix my problem..