does anyone sell/rebuild headlight switches?

Silver86 · 08-20-2009, 03:47 PM

im pretty sure mine is toast. the harness and the plugs are in good condition, so its more than likely my switch. i would rather buy one from someone on here knowing itll work then gambling on ebay...

i also plan on adding a relay per the write-up over at the club to beef up the harness.

NoDOHC · 08-22-2009, 10:19 PM

Actually I bought a new one at the Mazda dealer for $70 (I think, it might have been $60).

Autozone wanted $350.00

I have a couple laying around here, maybe If I get time tomorrow, I will test them and let you know if any of them are good (I think one of them is, but I can't remembr for sure, that car has been gone a long time).

How close to Sheboygan are you?

Silver86 · 08-23-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoDOHC

Actually I bought a new one at the Mazda dealer for $70 (I think, it might have been $60).

Autozone wanted $350.00

I have a couple laying around here, maybe If I get time tomorrow, I will test them and let you know if any of them are good (I think one of them is, but I can't remembr for sure, that car has been gone a long time).

How close to Sheboygan are you?

oh wow... actually about 30 minutes from Sheboygan... in Saukville.

hankd · 08-24-2009, 10:08 AM

I've always had good luck just re-soldering those.

NoDOHC · 08-25-2009, 09:51 PM

Maybe we could meet someplace in between and try a few (if your car is driveable).

I haven't got enough ambition to take my dash apart and test these switches, I think I have 3 of them somewhere.

I have had switches fail to where they were not solderable (aftermarket security system - the enemy of all used cars).

Silver86 · 08-26-2009, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoDOHC

Maybe we could meet someplace in between and try a few (if your car is driveable).

I haven't got enough ambition to take my dash apart and test these switches, I think I have 3 of them somewhere.

I have had switches fail to where they were not solderable (aftermarket security system - the enemy of all used cars).

you have a PM

n.taluckder · 10-17-2009, 08:21 PM

try this site http://www.blackdragonauto.com/ prices are high but everythings brand new

Silver86 · 10-17-2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n.taluckder

try this site http://www.blackdragonauto.com/ prices are high but everythings brand new

its already been fixed....

***TitaniumTT*** · 10-17-2009, 10:04 PM

care to share?

NoDOHC · 10-18-2009, 12:08 AM

We took a couple switches, plugged, unplugged and figured it out in the end. His switch was actually Ok. Good thing too, I apparently had 0 functional switches in my switch pile (5 switches). But we had a car with known-working headlights to work with (my '86).

Silver86 · 10-18-2009, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitaniumTT

care to share?

believe it or not... it was just the fuse...

i did beef up the harness with a relay and cleaned out the sockets and added some dielectric grease to the bulbs. hopefully thatll help keep my switch from burning out.

sen2two · 10-18-2009, 08:41 PM

is there a way to test a swicth without just swapping it out for a good one?

mine is RHD and is not compatible with the JDM ones. and i think its going bad becuase i rechecked all my wiring and cleaned all the ground points and still my cluster lights only go one when they feel like it. some times they wil turn on for a few seconds and never again. toher times they will comes on and stay on and just flicker in and out a few times. but all other functions of the headlight switch work...

NoDOHC · 10-19-2009, 11:04 PM

If the lights come and go, I doubt it is a fuse. I would guess that you have a bad solder joint, somewhere in your dimmer circuit (Mazda used a PWM dimmer rather than a resistor-type dimmer like everyone else of the era used, so it is a rather complex dimmer circuit).

I didn't know the RHD switches were different (not that I have much experience with RHD RX7s).

rx4ur7 · 10-20-2009, 01:34 PM

Dimmer switch or wiring circuit is my bet.

sen2two · 10-20-2009, 04:28 PM

the RHD ones plug directly in the same harness, but something else inside is different. cause i tryed plugging in a US one and after about 2 seconds of being plugged in, the US one started to smoke!

so, i dont want to destroy my RHD headlight switch cause they are really hard to come by. is there a "how to" somewhere on rebuilding them? or just repairing the dimmer switch or wiring circuit.

just to add, when they do turn on and stay on for a little, the dimmer works on the switch. i rolled it all the way back and forth and the dash lights went all the way bright and all the way off. so that does work when dash lights up. but i drove the car for 30 minutes last night and the dash never lit up at all... but the day before they stayed on the whole time, only flicking off a few times.... so wierd.

08-20-2009, 03:47 PM	#1
Silver86 now what? Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: SE Wisconsin iTrader: (0) Posts: 178 Rep Power: 16	does anyone sell/rebuild headlight switches? im pretty sure mine is toast. the harness and the plugs are in good condition, so its more than likely my switch. i would rather buy one from someone on here knowing itll work then gambling on ebay... i also plan on adding a relay per the write-up over at the club to beef up the harness. __________________ 1986 Rx7 coupe - arctic silver - sold aka - 20bforme

08-22-2009, 10:19 PM	#2
NoDOHC The quest for more torque Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sheboygan, Wisconsin iTrader: (1) Posts: 855 Rep Power: 17	Actually I bought a new one at the Mazda dealer for $70 (I think, it might have been $60). Autozone wanted $350.00 I have a couple laying around here, maybe If I get time tomorrow, I will test them and let you know if any of them are good (I think one of them is, but I can't remembr for sure, that car has been gone a long time). How close to Sheboygan are you? __________________ 1986 GXL ('87 4-port NA - Haltech E8, LS2 Coils. Defined Autoworks Headers, Dual 2.5" Exhaust (Dual Superflow, dBX mufflers) 1991 Coupe (KYB AGX Shocks, Eibach lowering springs, RB exhaust, Stock and Automatic) Last edited by NoDOHC; 08-22-2009 at 10:21 PM..

08-25-2009, 09:51 PM	#5
NoDOHC The quest for more torque Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sheboygan, Wisconsin iTrader: (1) Posts: 855 Rep Power: 17	Maybe we could meet someplace in between and try a few (if your car is driveable). I haven't got enough ambition to take my dash apart and test these switches, I think I have 3 of them somewhere. I have had switches fail to where they were not solderable (aftermarket security system - the enemy of all used cars). __________________ 1986 GXL ('87 4-port NA - Haltech E8, LS2 Coils. Defined Autoworks Headers, Dual 2.5" Exhaust (Dual Superflow, dBX mufflers) 1991 Coupe (KYB AGX Shocks, Eibach lowering springs, RB exhaust, Stock and Automatic)

10-17-2009, 10:04 PM	#9
*TitaniumTT* Test Whore - Admin Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Right Behind you son iTrader: (4) Posts: 4,581 Rep Power: 10	care to share? __________________ -The Angry Stig- DGRR 2009, 2011, 2012 & 2013 - Best FC DEALS GAP!! WOOHOOOO!!!!! 2015 Audi S4 - Samantha - Zero Brap S4 2004 RX8 - Jocelyn - 196rwhp, 19mpg fuel to noise converter 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport - Wifey mobile - Now with 2.5" OME lift and 30" BFG AT KO's! So it begins 1998 Jeep Cherokee - 5 spd, 4" lift, 33" BFG's - Rotary Tow Vehicle 1988 'Vert - In progress 1988 FC Coupe - Gretchen -The attention whore BEAST! I'm a sick individual, what's wrong with you? I'm pure Evil I'm still insane, in the best possible way. I think Brian's idea of romance is using lube. Your rage caused the meteor strike in Russia. The Antichrist would be proud of his minion. You win with your thread. Most everything It's a truck with a steel gate on the back. Just a statement of fact Motec M820, AIM dash, ported 13B-RE Cosmo, 6-spd trans, 4.3 Torsen, custom twin wg fully divided mani, Custom 4" split into 2x 3" exhaust, Custom HMIC, Custom custom custom custom I like to welder stuff.... No Bolt-ons allowed. Dyno'ed @ Speed1 Tuned by me - 405rwhp on WG.... WM50 cuming soon. *-Angry Motherfcker Mode ENGAGED-**

10-18-2009, 12:08 AM	#10
NoDOHC The quest for more torque Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sheboygan, Wisconsin iTrader: (1) Posts: 855 Rep Power: 17	We took a couple switches, plugged, unplugged and figured it out in the end. His switch was actually Ok. Good thing too, I apparently had 0 functional switches in my switch pile (5 switches). But we had a car with known-working headlights to work with (my '86). __________________ 1986 GXL ('87 4-port NA - Haltech E8, LS2 Coils. Defined Autoworks Headers, Dual 2.5" Exhaust (Dual Superflow, dBX mufflers) 1991 Coupe (KYB AGX Shocks, Eibach lowering springs, RB exhaust, Stock and Automatic)

08-24-2009, 10:08 AM	#4
hankd The Newbie Join Date: Jun 2009 iTrader: (0) Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	I've always had good luck just re-soldering those.

10-17-2009, 08:21 PM	#7
n.taluckder FC3S TURBOII SWAP Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: College Park, MD iTrader: (0) Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	try this site http://www.blackdragonauto.com/ prices are high but everythings brand new

10-18-2009, 08:41 PM	#12
sen2two KTEC Join Date: Jan 2009 iTrader: (2) Posts: 642 Rep Power: 0	is there a way to test a swicth without just swapping it out for a good one? mine is RHD and is not compatible with the JDM ones. and i think its going bad becuase i rechecked all my wiring and cleaned all the ground points and still my cluster lights only go one when they feel like it. some times they wil turn on for a few seconds and never again. toher times they will comes on and stay on and just flicker in and out a few times. but all other functions of the headlight switch work... __________________ what I have: 1985 Gs:12a All motor Drag car - 1973 Rx2: Play car What I had: 93 Touring: TRADED - 91 Coupe: TRADED - 90 GTU: RHD - 88 10AE: SOLD - 87 Base: SOLD - 86 Base: SOLD - 1985 GSLSE - 85 Gsl: SOLD - 80 Gs: TRADED - 1972 Rx2

10-19-2009, 11:04 PM	#13
NoDOHC The quest for more torque Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sheboygan, Wisconsin iTrader: (1) Posts: 855 Rep Power: 17	If the lights come and go, I doubt it is a fuse. I would guess that you have a bad solder joint, somewhere in your dimmer circuit (Mazda used a PWM dimmer rather than a resistor-type dimmer like everyone else of the era used, so it is a rather complex dimmer circuit). I didn't know the RHD switches were different (not that I have much experience with RHD RX7s). __________________ 1986 GXL ('87 4-port NA - Haltech E8, LS2 Coils. Defined Autoworks Headers, Dual 2.5" Exhaust (Dual Superflow, dBX mufflers) 1991 Coupe (KYB AGX Shocks, Eibach lowering springs, RB exhaust, Stock and Automatic)

10-20-2009, 01:34 PM	#14
rx4ur7 Rotary since 1972 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tucson iTrader: (0) Posts: 231 Rep Power: 17	Dimmer switch or wiring circuit is my bet.

10-20-2009, 04:28 PM	#15
sen2two KTEC Join Date: Jan 2009 iTrader: (2) Posts: 642 Rep Power: 0	the RHD ones plug directly in the same harness, but something else inside is different. cause i tryed plugging in a US one and after about 2 seconds of being plugged in, the US one started to smoke! so, i dont want to destroy my RHD headlight switch cause they are really hard to come by. is there a "how to" somewhere on rebuilding them? or just repairing the dimmer switch or wiring circuit. just to add, when they do turn on and stay on for a little, the dimmer works on the switch. i rolled it all the way back and forth and the dash lights went all the way bright and all the way off. so that does work when dash lights up. but i drove the car for 30 minutes last night and the dash never lit up at all... but the day before they stayed on the whole time, only flicking off a few times.... so wierd. __________________ what I have: 1985 Gs:12a All motor Drag car - 1973 Rx2: Play car What I had: 93 Touring: TRADED - 91 Coupe: TRADED - 90 GTU: RHD - 88 10AE: SOLD - 87 Base: SOLD - 86 Base: SOLD - 1985 GSLSE - 85 Gsl: SOLD - 80 Gs: TRADED - 1972 Rx2