Hi all,

I have an '88 convertible and the warning lamp module in the center of the dash was replaced before I got the car. Unfortunately, the bezel was cracked and when I tried to replace it, the new one would not fit. The bezel came from the dealer and they told me that the bezel for the convertible and coupe was the same part #. Does anyone know if maybe there really are different bezels for the different 2nd generation model years? (Maybe I have a module from a different year or something). The module mounts perfectly and the clock and warning lamps all work just fine. Not sure what part I should look for at this point.

Thanks in advance for any help ...

 

It could be from an s5 they are shaped differently...

 

The dealer looked up the wrong part. The difference is not by series but rather year. Don't make the dumb mistake of thinking the S5 models are different than the S4 models.

Convertibles (and all other 88 model year FCs) use the 89-91 style clock bezel/trim panel (or more accuratly the S5 models use the 88 style).

The 86 and 87 used a different panel.

The 86-87 did not have an upper lip while the 88 and later did.

86-86 style:


88-92 style:


Mazdatrix has the correct part numbers here:
http://www.mazdatrix.com/in-dash.htm

 

Thanks Icemark. This is EXACTLY what I needed. Mazdatrix shows that most 88's use the later bezel. My 88 definitely has the older 86-88 style because the top definitely leans AWAY from the driver. Everything makes sense now. When my brother-in-law gave me the car he said he had replaced the warning lamp cluster and for some reason the bezel no longer fit. The car obviously had the newer style originally. I thought I was being smart when I ordered the bezel from Malloy Mazda and told them I needed an 89 part, thinking that I needed a later model bezel when, in fact, it was the other way around. I'm not sure if I can return it, but it was only $27.00, so it's no great loss. The info I received about the bezels all being the same came from my local Mazda dealership. Malloy Mazda would have probably known the difference, as I understand they are quite knowledgeable. I was just hoping to pick one up today locally.

Thanks so much for the help. Mystery solved!

 

Forgot to ask --- would there be an advantage to keeping the newer bezel and replacing the warning lamp module with the newer style? The one I have works fine (after resoldering all the pins on for the connector on the PC board). Just thought that Mazda may have changed the design for a reason ...

 

Yes that is what I would do. The newer style has less reflection because of the angle change.

since you already re-soldered one, if you like the newer style, just swap all the light bulbs, the clear plastic and the icon panel to the newer style.

Or I have already rebuilt FB66 panels (88 convertible) panels available at my webstore

 

Mark, I just got the new clock/warning panel you sent me (thanks for the quick shipping). It is sooooo much nicer than the old style! Everything fit perfectly and I was, of course, able to use the new bezel that I got a couple of weeks ago. The different angle cuts out most of the glare and I like the warning lamps much better as well --- text that lights up instead of the squares with the text inside. That was an added bonus for me.

Thanks again,

--- George