where to buy headlight RELAY (not switch)
 

I need a new headlight relay (the one that is labeled "17" in the fsm that is in front of the radiator). local autoparts store dont have them, and i feel that the dealer will penetrate my asshole with an angle-grinder. none-the-less, where do i buy one? or am i stuck for the salvage yard thing?

Thanks,
Ryan Shannon.

I am gonna go with ..... the relay is just like any other relay...the standard automotive type....

They should have them...not sure why they dont?

What kinda problems are you having?

Not to hurt anyone's feelings here but the headlight relay isn't a standard auto relay, I know because I used one to get my power antenna working again after installing an aftermarket radio/CD player in my FC and also replacing the headlight relay last fall after loosing my headlights.

I had headlight problems last fall and assumed it might be the relay since I'd had the A/C relay go out and replaced it and that fixed my air conditioning system.

I went to a junk yard looking for a working relay. Guess what I found, no RX's anywhere. I pulled the relay for my car, 89 GTU, and started looking in the local Auto Recycling Yard for the relay in other Japanese made autos of the same time period, late 80s to early 90s. Toyotas, Nissans, Hondas, and the like. I found that Honda used a lot of the same relays, switches, fuses, that Mazda used. You can find the exact same relay in Honda Accords and Civics of the same period. I bought several just to be sure I'd bring one home that worked. The management charged me $10 for a handfull of these relays. When I got home all of them worked great, not a bad one in the bunch.

To finish the story, after insuring the relay was good I finally determined that the problem was my headlight switch that had gone bad.

I got mine from Malloy Mazda (1-888-533-3400) for $28. Pricey, but my local dealer wanted $42! Rockauto.com has relays alot cheaper, but i never bought a relay from them before.

hmm...i will see what my dealer charges me. I had to work today, so i couldnt really call them. guess i will head up there on monday and see what is up. thanks for the input guys. Im just hoping it isnt too expensive. 20-30 is kind of what i would expect (still too high for some copper coiling, a small wire thread with a little bit of insulation around it and a switch that is attracted to a magnetic field in my book...but, whatever) but, just wondering if any place online sells these things. the honda thing is pretty interesting. the more i research, the more i find out parts are interchangeable with these our cars, (i.e.-injectors)...its like, the rice anti-venom??

Thanks guys,
Ryan Shannon.

The relay has this printed on it (after you remove the rubber cover)...........

IMASEN
DC12V20A
N.O.
9h.23

You might be able to call around to see it anyone carries it or an equivalent sub. I had no luck.