Hey everyone, long time visitor to the site and first time poster.
I've had my car since 2003 (Imported it from California to Vancouver Canada) and have mostly had it sitting in my garage. Over the past 8 months though I've moved and have driven the car more than ever. I'm in the process of getting all of the little bugs worked out of it though.
I need info on the ashtray bulb. I've got the console out and have the harness here but the bulb seems to be integrated into the plastic base. Any suggestions or maybe I should post separately?
Cheers!

 

Welcome, and glad you're driving it again.
Boy...it's been a while since I had to think about that bulb.

But IIRC you'll have to pull the entire shifter panel up off the console to access that bulb...not just the ashtray. Shifter **** comes off, and then VERY carefully pull up the panel. It uses some pretty fragile clips.

 

Hey Sgtblue,
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
I"ve got the console disassembled. I just need to know if/where I can purchase the bulb.
Is there a trick to getting it out of this assembly?

Mazda has discontinued this assembly. I just need the bulb. What now?

Also, maybe you'd know this. The reason I disassembled the console was because my shifter boot was discoloured. I ordered an OEM boot from Mazda and I was going to replace it. Turns out that my boot is leather and the one from Mazda is synthetic. So, I just used leather dye to make my boot look like new. Anyhow, my question is, do you know if they were originally leather because the boot on my e-brake is synthetic?

Cheers,
Shawn

 

*Re: bulb...Never had to change it so can’t remember for sure but I’m thinking it just pulls straight out of the socket.
BTW, many opt to change out that ashtray for the padded JDM coin/misc. holder. Makes things a little more comfortable and even though it opens to the passenger side on our LHD models it’s got some practicality. Even as a former smoker I can’t imagine trying to smoke and drive this car.
*Re: boot...afaik they were all vinyl on the LHD North American model years. Best guess is that your leather boot is aftermarket. A not uncommon modification.

 

The ash tray and the lighter speak to the times 25 years ago, don't they? As far as creature comforts, they accommodated smoking but no cup holders. Coffee culture hadn't quite taken over in yet in the early 1990s.
Thanks for the info. I think I'll install the leather boot because it looks so good and I'll have the vinyl one with my other random parts.

 

I got the bulb out. You were right it just had to be pulled with a fair bit of force. Now to find a replacement!

 

There are other sources I’m sure, but if you want the two to match, I’ve had the shifter and e-brake boot from this guy for nearly 15 years. Still looks great...
https://www.redlinegoods.com/FDshiftboot.php

 

Following

 

Recommend. This is what I did as well to my 94.