Electrical Issues
 

Did a search but couldn't find a solution for ALL the issues I'm having.

1990 vert automatic. Car runs and drives great, but...

1. nearly all the warning cluster lights stay lit
2. no interior chime or buzzer (when you stick key in ignition or leave headlights on)
3. high beams do not work, only flash to pass works
4. windsheild wipers only work on low speed
5. vert top will not lower (only beeps when pushing up switch and nothing when pushing down switch)
6. aftermarket CD player stays on a few seconds after car is shut off
7. interior lights will only come on when doors are opened

If anyone can point me in the right direction on where to start troubleshooting, I would be truly grateful. TIA.

#1. Your alternator is likely failing.
#3. Dimmer Relay could be faulty. Locate it and w/the low beams on jumper a ground wire to the White wire in this relay and see if the high beames come on. If they do then the relay is good, but the Dimmer switch is then the cause for your problem.
#4. One of the internal relays to the wiper switch is damaged. There is a writeup on how to replace them.
#7. The switch which changes the settings for the courtesy settings is malfunctioning.

quick somewhat related question, is there any wiring over the front wheel wells? I just got coil overs and might rub through the well so i was just wondering if i would eventually have to tuck any wiring anywhere....

If the flash to pass works, check to see if the highbeams flash momentarily when the headlights are up and in operation. If so, your highbeam relay is working, as is your dimmer switch.


If this is an S5 (89-91) the likely culprit is the latching circuit for the headlight dimmer. in the body CPU. I fought this battle for years. The FC66 CPU is fragile and this is how it fails. You can buy a new board for the CPU at Mazdatrix.com for about $85, but it will be the same fragile electronics and will eventually fail the same way.

Here is my thread on how I finally fixed this issue in my 90 vert. The fix has been working for the last 2 years.

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...92#post9214292

Regarding the top lowering switch: The top switch is disabled unless the parking brake is set. Gotta be parked to lower that top! If that doesn't help, I have had one top switch fail on me and if I remember it failed in a similar mode to your description.

Hope this helps, good luck!

-Jack

Thanks for all the suggestions. Hopefully I can check into it sometime this weekend.

The 2nd gen is a bit different from my 3rd gen. The turn signal/high beam lever doesn't use the old fashion mechancal "click" style operation. I guess that's where the CPU unit comes into play. I wonder why Mazda would take something so simple and efficient and over-complicate it?

I have figured out all the electrical issues.

1. regulator in alternator is bad, need to replace it
2. bad CPU board, a new one is on the things-to-buy list
3. (see previous answer)
4. fixed it without replacing relay, removed the relay cover, sanded the contacts and put on grease
5. disassembled switch cleaned contacts and put on grease
6. rewired and reinstalled CD player and headrest speakers
7. # 6 fixed this too

All is fixed! Now waiting for warm weather so I can enjoy it some before the next phase of modifications.