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Headlight switch operation question.

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Old 09-16-04, 11:56 AM
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Headlight switch operation question.

I've never had a problem with it, so this is actually a theoretical thing.

I slapped fogs in my FTP lense spots per the tutorial that was posted on here not too long ago, and it kicks ***, except I'm trying to keep the number of switches I need down to a minimum, so I was thinking it would be pretty snazzy to tie them into the headlight switch somehow.

Right now my switch has three postitions: 1. off 2. clicks, but nothing at all lights up? 3. headlights up and on.

I'm thinking the second position must have been used for the factory fogs, or maybe mine is just fucked, although I did remove and clean the assembly to make sure it was ok.

Ok, so is there a way to use that second worthless click power on the new modded FTP's, and then on the 3rd have both lit? I'm good with electronics, but not with this kind of situation. Could I just run the two lines from the current FTP switch into the light switch harness somehow, or will I need to use a relay to trigger those puppies?

Thanks for any support you can provide.
Old 09-16-04, 12:13 PM
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Can't help with the wiring, but #2 should put the parking/taillamps on. The factory fog light switch is in the console.
Old 09-16-04, 12:21 PM
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The middle position should be the side lights (aka parking lights)

The factory fogs have a switch on the center console that only worked when the headlights were on in the US version.
In the Canadian version, they act as daytime running lights.

Last edited by SureShot; 09-16-04 at 12:25 PM.
Old 09-16-04, 12:32 PM
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Originally Posted by SureShot
The middle position should be the side lights (aka parking lights)

The factory fogs have a switch on the center console that only worked when the headlights were on in the US version.
In the Canadian version, they act as daytime running lights.
Ah, ok. That's actually ideal. If my console lightning and markers lit up I'd be set.

I just ran out there and flicked the swith to position 2 with and w/o the ignition on, and nothing lights up, including the dash so.... time to chase down more electrical gremlins.

On a side note, do your interior lights pop on when you open the door? Mine don't when on any switch setting, so I don't know if I'm supposed to have them, or Mazda went cheap and didn't wire anything like that up, because I don't see a sensor on in the door area.
Old 09-16-04, 01:06 PM
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The room & door lights were standard on all models. They should work.
The switch that grounds the circuit is in the bottom rear corner of the door sill.

I cut the headlight feed to the fogs & picked up the IG2 power.
My fogs come on when the engine is on, to act as daytime running lights (a la Canada).
I've had less road kill since then, and fewer drivers pull out in front of me.

My avatar is the road kill view..

Last edited by SureShot; 09-16-04 at 01:08 PM.
Old 09-16-04, 01:15 PM
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There is a Headlight washer switch that you could use, to a latching relay. See the headlight cleaner up switch has a press in position, that is locked out on non headlight washer equipped cars. You just pop the C-clip off, than then you could use the headlight washer wire to a latching relay to control your extra lights.
Old 09-16-04, 01:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Icemark
There is a Headlight washer switch that you could use, to a latching relay. See the headlight cleaner up switch has a press in position, that is locked out on non headlight washer equipped cars. You just pop the C-clip off, than then you could use the headlight washer wire to a latching relay to control your extra lights.
Hmmm, that's a good idea too, but I think it'll be rad if the stop and markers lights came on too, so hacking apart the headlight switch is preferable. I'll definatly keep that in mind for other accessories though.

I pull apart the cluster, and the switch looks like it's a little rusty inside, so I'm going to pull it off in a little bit and clean the thing out from the inside.

There is some wierd wiring there though, and I suck at the wiring diagrams so I'm not sure what it all does, but on the headlight switch connector, there's a Red/Green stripe and Red/Black stripe. Between the two, someone used vampire clamps to bridge them with a fuse in the middle. No idea why anyone would do this, but it's definatly not stock. From what I can gather, those wires control the cigarette light, and the tail lights. Dunno for sure, but if someone could supply a pinout of that connector I'd be happy. I can find a picture of it in the FSM, but can'y figure out exactly what all the wires run too. For now though, I'm going to slice off that fuse holder and patch those wires up.
Old 09-16-04, 02:01 PM
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What article was this in that I missed? I wanted to light up the FTP as well....I was planing to run wires to the center console....
Old 09-16-04, 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted by motto
What article was this in that I missed? I wanted to light up the FTP as well....I was planing to run wires to the center console....
http://www.smempire.org/staff/ryosuke/ftp/index.php

Works very well. The only thing I would add is that you should paint the visible chunk of bumper behind the FTP lense black, so it disappears and looks a little more polished. Took me ~ 2 hours to do the whole thing.
Old 09-16-04, 05:41 PM
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Ok, I took the whole area apart, managed to fix my voltimeter, and cleaned all the switches out from teh inside out. I found the test section in the FSM, and when I switch it up to the 2nd position, I still don't get lights, but the switch is working properly.

I went around the vehicle checking all markers and came across a new problem My markers aren't popping on, neither are the tailights. They work when you step on the brakes and hit the blinker though. Where do all the wires coming out of teh switch go? Is there maybe a relay or something that's acting up?
Old 09-16-04, 06:05 PM
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Ok, even more fucked up then I thought. I jumped the two wires that the switch in position 2 is suppose to connect. The markes and dash lights pop right no, and then proceed to function in 3rd position as well.

So, I swear it's the switch, pull the connector off, check the connection for coninuity, and it's ok. Well, then it's the connector, right? wrong.... connector tests out too, and the pins look perfect, so why wouldn't this work?
Old 12-15-04, 01:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Icemark
There is a Headlight washer switch that you could use, to a latching relay. See the headlight cleaner up switch has a press in position, that is locked out on non headlight washer equipped cars. You just pop the C-clip off, than then you could use the headlight washer wire to a latching relay to control your extra lights.
What is a latching relay? I am trying to trouble shoot a headlight problem and have seen the latch relay on the wiring diagrams in the Haynes manual and FSM but have no idea what it is or if it could be causing my headlight power and pop up thru the console light switch?
Old 12-15-04, 01:13 PM
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Originally Posted by GTUser
What is a latching relay? I am trying to trouble shoot a headlight problem and have seen the latch relay on the wiring diagrams in the Haynes manual and FSM but have no idea what it is or if it could be causing my headlight power and pop up thru the console light switch?
A latching relay is a relay that has been modified or purchased, and not part of the stock system.
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