Jwowl

What does the switch control, exactly...? I ask because my car randomly died on me today... She just recently started this "hesitation" around the 2,000 to 3,000 rpm range (I searched it but didn't really find anything too conclusive.. but I dont' think that's even relevant to what I'm asking right now anyway...), and today on my way to school, it just died on me. It wouldn't even turn over for a few tries, but then i tried it again and it started right back up and was fine the rest of the way.
I noticed the actual switch got really hot when I parked at school. I looked at and saw this:

You'll notice the right wire is connected by two or three strands.....
I ask about what the switch does because I'm thinking if it shorted there, would that have killed the car..? I mean, if I cut the wire completely off the switch, what would happen?
My last question is whether the switch does anything special, or if it is an ordinary switch? I am thinking about just replacing it with a different one..

Icemark

That is not an Mazda OEM switch and did not come standard on a FC.

The wire and connectors are melted. The switch probably either kills the car, or makes it work.

RETed

Trace the wires and take a pic on where they spliced into the stock wiring???


-Ted