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

High beams not working

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Old May 18, 2018 | 05:00 PM
  #1  
lynnbg's Avatar
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From: Bonifay Florida
High beams not working

My high beams when pushing forward dont work, lights go out. When i pull back on the switch in the momentary mode the go on, and the blue light in the dash go on momentary. So I know the beams are good, I am thinking possibly the switch. 85 GS
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Old May 18, 2018 | 06:16 PM
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Richard Miller's Avatar
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From: washington
Yes. Go with the switch.
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Old May 18, 2018 | 07:40 PM
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Mine has the same problem, took the switch apart, cleaned it. Problem solved. Word of caution, small parts involved, work over a towel.
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Old May 19, 2018 | 12:07 AM
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84SE-EGI helpy-helperton
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Hey, OP - first off, welcome aboard. You'll find this is a great group of enthusiasts that go out of their way to help out new people working on these older cars.

On your question above, Mazda didn't design the electrical system on these cars to need or handle much current, so there are no relays used to switch power to the headlamps like you'd find on more modern cars. That means that battery power comes into the fuse block and is directly switched by the various steering column connections, including the High Beam lever you mention. What typically occurs is that over time, corrosion and dust build up on the switch channels, along with carbon from electrical arcing, which gradually increases the resistance of the circuit you complete to operate your headlamps. Most common symptoms of this include the headlights High Beams not operating (your case), or even the entire lighting system shutting off when High Beams are engaged - which can be VERY disconcerting when you're driving down a dark road at night! Since there aren't any relays in the system to switch high current to the bulbs with low current from the switches, the fastest fix is to clean the connections using spray electrical cleaner without taking it apart, followed by removal of the binnacle which houses the switches, disassembly of the switches and thorough cleaning with Q-tips and then re-greasing with dielectric grease, which lasts a good long while in normal use.

The long-term, one-shot-and-done fix is to replace the wiring harness at the front of the car with a Black Dragon Headlight Loom which replaces the headlight connections on the bulbs with direct power switching using relays connected to the battery terminals. These relays are switched using the existing controls on the steering column, but instead of requiring those switches to run the full 12v and several Amps, the controls now only have to switch low current to run the relays, which means you'll never have to worry about cleaning the column switches ever again. The benefit of this product is that you get full 12v at the headlights with PLENTY of amperage carried directly from the battery - resulting in much brighter headlight function for nighttime driving.

Hope this explanation gets you on your way, and post back if you run into any problems. Take care,
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Old May 25, 2018 | 12:11 AM
  #5  
Richard Miller's Avatar
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From: washington
BlackDragon is a faded memory... Long Motor, Black Dragon's Parent company still sells relay's for headlights.

Truck Parts and Truck Accessories
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Old May 25, 2018 | 02:48 AM
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acdelco d1906 Nkg 49034
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From: huntsville
next time use search and get the info you need immediately
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-arch...daches-441702/

the relay upgrade will really make your headlights much brighter! and upgrading to HID headlamps will give you super bright headlights.
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