Running lights not working
 

Hello all Im new to the rotary crew/project car lifestyle!


I just recently picked up a 1990 convertible RX7. I've loved the thing so far and have loved working on it even more since I've been learning a lot and I have hopes to make it into a drift car for my local track someday. One main issue that I have right now is the the rear running lights are not working when I turn the headlights. Id really like to solve this problem so I can drive around at night or not have to worry about driving around at night when im out and about in the RX7 during the day. I did recently upgrade to led lights with new housings but even when the old lights were in place the running lights still did not function. I checked all of the fuses under the dash and none were blown. All the lights work on the rear end when I use turn signals, hazards, and the brakes. I thought that maybe the problem lied within the FOG light fuse since the fog lights do not turn on as well and the Mazda manual said to check that fuse since it is tied with the running lights (I think) , but even after checking that fuse and replacing it even though it was still good still, nothing. Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Romey

Do your side marker and/or license plate lights work? Those lights and the tail lights (among others) are all powered by the ILLUMI. fuse (15A). See pages E3/E4 of the wiring diagram here:

http://wright-here.net/files/manuals...ingDiagram.pdf

There's a chance this fuse was removed by the PO and forgotten about.

Also, the fog lights only turn on with the head lights on, if you weren't aware.

Ok, after some time to mess around with some things in between work schedules here is an update. I replaced the fog light relay near the very front end of the car and now the fog lights turn on MOST of the time when the headlights are on. It is very odd id say they have gone from turning on never to now turning on about 8/10 times. After doing this however the running lights, side markers, and license plate lights still do not come on. I have checked all the fuses and each fuse reads out that none are blown and visually they all look ok. Ill provide a picture of how my fuse box looks and maybe you could tell me if something is mixed up or if im missing something? I've tried following the diagram and other diagrams that I've found and still no dice. Again im super new to all of this in general and I appreciate all the help!
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...be6e836b69.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...1833655f53.jpg

Well off the bat it looks like your BTN (yellow 60A) and EGI (red 30A) fuses are swapped in the engine bay fuse box. I think you need to swap them, but verify with your fuse box cover:

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...8df1ef2227.jpg

Double check that both fuses have continuity before reinstalling. That probably won't fix the issue but it might keep you from blowing a fuse down the road.

In the interior fuse box, it looks like your ILLUM fuse is present, and it doesn't look blown. If you have a multimeter, take out the ILLUM fuse (circled below) and see if you have +12V on one of the pins. If you do, the problem is probably a faulty headlight switch, which is the last component in the circuit other than wiring/connectors.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...4dfbdbe17b.jpg

I have been working on my 87, and here is a picture of the headlight/turnsignal switch. Almost all of the contacts were cracked, I melted and reflowed some new solder, and removed and put some threadlocker on the screws as they had backed out slightly. This was causing intermittent high/low beam switching and turn signals were spotty unless you wiggled the switch, which then made contact and it worked, until I fixed all of these. It sounds like this is the same kind of thing happening with yours

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...3ae5f93852.jpg