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I have a 98 Mazda 626 with inop headlights (both). Bulbs, ...
Sent to Car Experts March 23 04:36 PM

I have a 98 Mazda 626 with inop headlights (both). Bulbs, fuses, relays all check ok, replaced switch, no help. Any ideas??

 

Optional Information:
1998 Mazda 626 4 cyl

Already Tried:
checked bulbs, fuses, relays, changed headlight switch on column, checked all wiring. Lights work when powered from battery.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $25
Info Request
March 23 4:56 PM (19 minutes and 18 seconds later)
         
REPLIED to Info RequestCheck Mark

Do you have daytime running lights?

PictureMarc -- Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 1029 Car Accepts
33 years exp. automotive repair NYS emisisions repair cert.
Reply
March 23 7:09 PM (2 hours and 12 minutes and 55 seconds later)
         
Reply to Marc's Post: no
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Info Request
March 23 7:17 PM (8 minutes and 25 seconds later)
         
I'll answer you in 2 mins
PictureMarc -- Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 1029 Car Accepts
33 years exp. automotive repair NYS emisisions repair cert.
Answer
March 23 7:26 PM (8 minutes and 43 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

The headlight relay is triped by a ground path supied by the central processing unit which in turn is controled by the headlight switch.

First see if you have power to the green and red wire at the CPU if you do see if the white and red wire is grounding the headlight relay.

There are also a groung path for the headlights them selves that goes thru the headlight switch.

I am suplying a diagram if you need futher assistance please post back.

Images available only to Customers.



Edited by enginboy on March 23 2006 at 7:33 PM
PictureMarc -- Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 1029 Car Accepts
33 years exp. automotive repair NYS emisisions repair cert.
Reply
March 24 10:11 AM (14 hours and 45 minutes and 26 seconds later)
         
Reply to Marc's Post: Marc:

Thanks for your help but I don't see a fix here. The car is located about 60 miles from me, (it is my daughters) so I will have to look at it over the weekend. Where is the cpu located on this vehicle? If there is a problem with the ground from the cpu what is the solution, replacing the cpu?? What about a used cpu unit?? Is there any way to bypass the cpu ground and wire direct??
The local Ford guy is talking about $1200 and won't tell me what he wants to do. What would cause the CPU to go bad for headlights lights only? I suspect this has happened in the past, the previous owner, said he had some "headlight trouble". I will acccept as soon as I hear back form you. Thanks.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
March 24 1:30 PM (3 hours and 18 minutes and 30 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

Cpu is located under the front side trim panel (kick panel by drivers left leg)

If you have a signal to the CPU from the headlights and the CPU is not creating the ground path for the relay replace CPU.

You can by pass the CPU for testing purposses and I guess you could put a toggle switch in to ground the relay You will still need the headlight switch because it turns on a ground for the headlight bulbs.

As for used if you can find one why not, but remember used is used.

PictureMarc -- Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 1029 Car Accepts
33 years exp. automotive repair NYS emisisions repair cert.
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