2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

I keep having to replace 2nd gen headlight switches help me out!!

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Old Dec 14, 2008 | 10:03 PM
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I keep having to replace 2nd gen headlight switches help me out!!

anyone ever have this problem also?

PM me please !!
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Old Dec 14, 2008 | 10:08 PM
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the swithes keep melting but the harness from the switch into the harness remains fine. figured I shouldve been more specific sorry!
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Old Dec 14, 2008 | 10:23 PM
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you are probably using the incorrect series switch
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Old Dec 14, 2008 | 11:12 PM
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I remember reading that a ground problem may trigger this...

What is going out....does anything on the switch work when it goes out???
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Old Dec 14, 2008 | 11:49 PM
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i have had a switch last around the block and i have had a switch last all night i have had one loose headlights and then one loose taillights??
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Old Dec 14, 2008 | 11:51 PM
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Replace the harness that runs under the dash into the switch...it could be fried somewhere along the way. It is about 18" long and relatively easy to get to.
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Old Dec 14, 2008 | 11:57 PM
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I have replaced the switch and the harness. will an s5 harness and or switch work on an s4 car? what if the harness is a s5 w/ an s4 switch or vice versa?
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Old Dec 15, 2008 | 10:27 PM
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thanks for the help so far.. anywhere else i should look or ask?
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Old Dec 15, 2008 | 10:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Michaelangelofb
I have replaced the switch and the harness. will an s5 harness and or switch work on an s4 car? what if the harness is a s5 w/ an s4 switch or vice versa?
NO
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Old Dec 15, 2008 | 10:46 PM
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Originally Posted by AreExSevenProject
I remember reading that a ground problem may trigger this...
NO. That is not correct. Ground is unrelated. This is a positive circuit, not a ground trigger.
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Old Dec 15, 2008 | 10:51 PM
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Ice mark please explain "NO". No what? No to every question???????? No combo of switch or harness will work from s5 to s4??
NO WHAT??
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Old Dec 15, 2008 | 10:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Michaelangelofb
the swithes keep melting but the harness from the switch into the harness remains fine. figured I shouldve been more specific sorry!
If the harness at the switch is the least bit discolored, you must replace it with the correct series harness. Using the wrong series harness will not let your headlight high beams work or your turn signals work.

And the main reason that harnesses or switches fail, is due to resistance at the lights or an overloaded circuit (such as someone wired in additional fog lights or body lights incorrectly).

So if you have not added extra lights, then check the bulb sockets for corrosion or other issues that can lead to a high resistance.

Also which wire/pin at the light switch is being damaged? Red/Black? White/Green? Or Red/Green?

If it is the red/black or white/green you can wire an additional relay into the circuit to take the load off of the switch (but it does not solve the problem of bad bulb sockets). Wiring the additional relay has been covered quite a few times as well is in the 2nd gen archive section and on my website.
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Old Dec 15, 2008 | 10:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Michaelangelofb
Ice mark please explain "NO". No what? No to every question???????? No combo of switch or harness will work from s5 to s4??
NO WHAT??
NO to almost everything you have said in that post that I quoted. You can not use the wrong series harness in the car.

S4 car = S4 light switch harness.

S5 car= S5 light switch harness

S5 turn signal switch = S5 light switch harness.

S4 Turn signal switch = S4 light switch harness.

This has been covered countless times
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Old Dec 15, 2008 | 11:09 PM
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thanks !! You seem to know your stuff!! I hope I did not come off rude. Just frustrated!! I will look into this bulb possibility
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Old Dec 15, 2008 | 11:10 PM
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also it looks like it could be both white/green and red/black. also possibly white green got so bad it took red/black with it?
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Old Dec 15, 2008 | 11:21 PM
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where on your websie can I find that relay info?
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Old Dec 16, 2008 | 12:02 AM
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icemark will kill you for talking like that!!!

And thanks icemark for clarifying what I thought i read.
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Old Dec 16, 2008 | 08:11 AM
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Icemark is the man!
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Old Dec 16, 2008 | 12:12 PM
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From: Rohnert Park CA
Originally Posted by Michaelangelofb
also it looks like it could be both white/green and red/black. also possibly white green got so bad it took red/black with it?
Either way it is overheated and needs to be replaced.

I would clean all the bulb contacts, use some conductive grease or dialectric (to prevent further corrosion), then get a new headlight switch and new light switch harness and add the relay on the Red/Black.

How to from the 2nd gen RX-7 technical archive:
https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-gen-archive-72/heavy-duty-light-switch-operation-how-too-prevent-burnout-164931/

Relay available at radio shack, most car parts stores, most car stereo stores and my website (about half way down this page: http://www.mazdamark.com/Rebuilt%20FC%20Parts.htm ).
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Old Dec 16, 2008 | 02:41 PM
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Front marker lamps (the ones below the headlamps) tend to get corrosion at their sockets over time, so I'd start by checking those.

Obviously, fix the rest as well.
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Old Dec 16, 2008 | 03:02 PM
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you would prob want to replace that sub harness leading to the switch, and the switch its self to.
do this before you melt your under the dash harness and maybe even your engine wiring harness. I had that same problem to and i was a pain in the ***. but i fixed my car. now i got a blown turbo lol it never ends.
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Old Dec 17, 2008 | 07:15 PM
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How do I tell the difference between an s5 and s4 harness?? I have a few layin around and I noticed there were 2 different ones.


Thanks for all your help guys you all rock!! Especially Iceman!!!
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Old Dec 17, 2008 | 07:39 PM
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I also found a relay but it had only 4 pins not five like the archive calls for. the missing pin is the one the archive says not to use or that wont be used. and lastly which black wire do i use does it matter?
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Old Dec 17, 2008 | 10:33 PM
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havin a hard time finding a switch locally !!! UGH not paying over 30 dollars!! ugh
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Old Dec 17, 2008 | 11:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Michaelangelofb
I also found a relay but it had only 4 pins not five like the archive calls for. the missing pin is the one the archive says not to use or that wont be used. and lastly which black wire do i use does it matter?
No, as long as it still has 87, 30, 85 and 86.

Originally Posted by Michaelangelofb
How do I tell the difference between an s5 and s4 harness?? I have a few layin around and I noticed there were 2 different ones.
FSM links in the FAQ for FC sticky thread will show pin out. The only way to tell is by the color of the wires in the correct location.
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