Headlight/Tail light switch

[Snowboarder3185]

Hey guys,
I just subscribed to this bulletin board this evening and please forgive me if someone has already asked this question.

I was just wondering if any of you guys had have the problem with the MX-3's headlight, tail light switch.. Where it's broken and wont turn on the head lights or tail lights. I was wondering how hard this would be to fix? Or where I could get the best price for the part I need. I've taken it to a electerical shop down here in Portland, Oregon and they wanted to charge me around $300.00 dollars to fix the damn thing.. I'm thinking thats a little expensive to fix it. Anyways thanks for listening and I hope to hear from you guys.

[Grants]

I had a problem with just the taillights not working. It ended up being the column switch. I removed the switch, filled it up with WD40 and its worked ok ever snce.

The switch mechanism can be removed quite easily - its a seperate part to the lever but you need a 90 degree ratchet Philips head to get it out. Maybe you should try this first before forking out any $$$.

I was quoted about AU$150 for a new switch from an auto electrician who was going to get it from Mazda. Said it was a stock item.

<small>[ October 04, 2004, 01:40 AM: Message edited by: Grants ]</small>

[storm99]

Yep, I had the same problem with mine when I bought the car... It was the column switch.
I had to remove the switch and then sand the contacts to get it to work.

Also - make sure you disconnect the battery! I blew a fuse whilst trying to be a smart *** !

This is a really common problem, my friend's MX also had this problem when he bought it. Bad design.