tail lights and gauge cluster lights won't work
 

Anybody got an idea of what it could be? Could it be a fuse of some sort? The car is a 1991 FC convertible.

The tail lights work in the day but when the lights are turned on, instrument cluster lights don't light up and the tail lights don't stay on...

Headlights light up and sidemarkers I am assuming? It sounds like your headlight switch might of gone bad and you might need a new one. Let me know what else does and doesn't work (hazards, brake, ect.....)

Check all the fuses on the driver's kick panel and make sure they are all ok....

Once we start getting into S5 Convertible Electrical things get a bit weird since they are wired slightly different and you need the specific year FSM for these cars in order to get the accurate wiring diagram.

If your headlights comes on, the cluster, tail, interior doesn't, it is the interior illumination fuse.

The fuse is underdash on driverside.

the circuit burns up before the fuse ever will...


replace the harness and switch from the same series car you have with another good set form the same series. its an easy swap out.

word of caution, replace both the switch and harness. not one or the other. you get a new switch or harness and plug it in, and boom, burnt again. like i said many times by now, you need a new switch and new harness.

I remember that happen to me before, there was short somewhere (I can't remember) that caused the fuse to blow. Thats just from my experienced

Thanks, what harness and switch do I replace? I'll check the fuse first.

damn Rage i didnt know you had an Fc too?

He is talking about the headlight switch, the whole unit with the big knob that turns the lights on and also the harness that hooks up to it, they commonly burn up but it's usually an issue with S4 cars. You didn't answer the other questions I posted up, just to make sure it's actually your switch and not anything else if you don't have access to a switch from another S5. The harness is different and needs to come from a airbag car since you vert has an airbag:

http://mazdatrix.com/86-92Electrical-Chassis.htm

Check the fuses first, then proceed to the other components!

It's my dad's FC. :) One rotary car is enough for me. :lol:

Thanks, I'll check it out.

hahahah thats awesome:icon_tup:

ok, only the headlights light up when the switch is turned on. The taillights and sidemarkers don't work. The fuses are ok so do you think its the headlight switch and/or headlight switch harness?

Sounds like the switch in that case, follow SirCygnus advice, hope that link to the parts helped you out...

its both. never change out either or. change out both.

i would maybe do some tests with a DVOM on the switch and harness before i go replacing things.

im not saying parts have not gone defective , but maybe be sure what caused your problem before you just buy parts you might not need.

(edit) im guessing thats your GF in your sig. and sense you dont mind plastering her all over the web you can pm me with more pics or distribute them in the lounge any time you want. ;)

he could just yank the harness and switch and see if the damn thing is burnt up on that pin. its a simple check. sheesh. check the connector on the harness that connects to the switch and the switch. i bet you they are both burnt to smithereens.