mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

the troubles have started my dilema is that on my 85 GS with an SE engine, trans, and wiring harness i have no marker lights, dash lights or tail lights when the switch is either in parking light or headlight mode. i do have headlights though. i'm going through grounds now and would appreciate any help.

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

Check the 10 amp fuse in the fuse block right under the driver side dash. Theres one fuse that controls most of those.

I popped mine when I was installing power locks and it took me a few weeks to figure it out. Had to go thru the wiring diagrams to finally check that fuse. Sometimes the really small fuses burn out up in the end of the fuse and its hard to see. So you may want to use a DVM to check the fuses authoritatively.

I bet you blinkers work but not the emergency flashers too I have an SA so your mileage may vary.

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

correct, the blinkers and hazards both work fine. i'll check the fuse for good measure. fwiw, the headlights do not retract with either the manual switch or the **** on the combination switch.

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

ok, fuse was blown. i replaced the fuse with another 10A fuse and the dash lights came on and the headlights will now retract but i still do not have tail lights or marker lights. smelled something burning and the fuse, while still in tact was melted...i'm not sure if i'm dealing with a short or not

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like a short. Do you know if these ever worked since the SE engine was swapped in?

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

no clue as i swapped the harness in myself. i was very careful not to pinch any wires while the dash was being reinstalled...its definatly a short..no clue as to why my side marker lights and taill ights are not working. fwiw, i checked the ground for the rear lights located by the hatch release and it checked ok.

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

i guess i really dont know where to go..i'm going to start pulling panels and inspecting the wiring.. i removed the fuse block and the wire associated with that fues slot is solid red. traced it on another harness that is out of the car and it goes to the combination switch...which i guess would then spider off....

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

ok, as a note, the fuse only pops when the headlight switch is turned on(parking lights pop it). the fuse does not pop when the switch is off.

Crit

iTrader: (6)

Perhaps it's the bullet connectors at the base of your center console. Every car has the positive and ground provided to illuminate the shifter for automatic cars. Manual cars should leave them unplugged. If you happened to plug the male and female together, you've shorted your interior light circuit and likely fried the dimmer. If it's on the same fuse as the exterior running lights, then that would be your short.

blackdeath647

iTrader: (2)

no, his interior lights would not illuminate. is there a way to take the switch apart and clean it? that way you can eliminate the switch itself causing your trouble. maybe the fuse you're trying to install is too small?

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

the fuse is correct at a 10A. the interior lights work just fine. the dimmer works fine when the 10A fuse is in place...before it melts..i checked the wiring at the headlights and it all looks good...i really do not want to rip the dash back out.. back to the garage to keep looking and tracing..and wondering if there's anything that i plugged in that shouldnt be....and the rear lights and side marker lights not working lead me to believe that that is what may have happened...but again, i dont know where to start.

82transam

iTrader: (18)

Sorry if I missed this as I read some of the posts kinda quick, but do you have another headlight combo switch you can try out just for kicks? I try to start with the easiest things to check first, such as the fuse, then the switch and then I'll move on to looking at the wiring itself. Have you tried all the other functions of the car such as HVAC, windsheild wipers etc? I've never had any problems with the lights like you are, so I'm sorry I can't be of more help, just trying to narrow it down to one specific thing and not a larger problem with the harness....

blackdeath647

iTrader: (2)

one time when i took the intake apart and put it back together i left some wires hanging loose on the engine compartment and they came in contact with the engine and the exhaust and they were causing a short kept blowing some of my fuses.

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

^^thank you for the advice.

ok, i tore the dash apart tracing and probing and metering wires to no avail. this led me to the drivers side storage bin and the connector between the front and rear harness. i unplugged the large connector and the all is well, the front marker lights are working, the dash lights are 50% brighter...one of two things is worng with the rear harness.

1. nothing other than the fact that i used the current 12A harness as it appeared identical to the 13B's...perhaps something is different between the two or the pinout is different.

2. something in that harness has a short.

after dinner i will rip out the rear plastics and start tracing and metering.

74RX4

iTrader: (10)

Sounds like the Red/green wire is grounded somewhere. It supplies 12V to all parking and marker lights. Make sure plugs for the fuel door and rear side marker aren't swapped

thunkrd

iTrader: (1)

i believe i fried the dimmer. and now i am faced with no interior lights.. what is the best way to get one out? its an 85 (se).

*i did this when i first got the car, 2 years ago, and have dealt with just not using the interior lights*

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

Q1. nothing other than the fact that i used the current 12A harness as it appeared identical to the 13B's...perhaps something is different between the two or the pinout is different.

A1-the harnesses are identical from the 12A to 13B harness. this is indicated by a part number. i am using the current 12A harness.

Q2. something in that harness has a short.

A2-i traced the wiring all the way to the license plate lights. the wiring appeared fine but i unplugged both and the problem is gone... i also re-routed the wiring for the driver's side storage bin lights. so far so good and everything is as normal. i'll keep updating if i find further problems and when i chec out the lp light wiring further.

JoeyMazda

Did you check the relay that's located on the driver's side behind the fuse box? Take it out, open it and look at it with a magnifying glass. Sometimes they lose contact. Try to fix it by saudering it and check if it works. If not, track the electrical harness. Unplug the **** for the dashboard lights and jump it. That should take care of the dash problem.If not there's a broken wire somewhere in the harness.

Vashner

Hum so it was 12a but you put 13b from GSL-SE in?

Is everything upstream fused? I.E. your fuseable links what did you do with them mod wise?

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

correct, originally a 12A car, now a 13B. the 12A wiring harness was removed and replaced with the 13B wiring harness. no modification to any part of the harness. thw whole swap is covered in my thread here: https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-general-discussion-207/finally-got-my-l6-project-796342/