Dome lights not operating correctly

ORAZLADY

MEMBER
MAZDA MPV

I have a 1993 Mazda MPV 4x4 w/123,000 miles that I recently purchased. The front dome light did not work, but all the other dome lights functioned correctly. I replaced the bulb in the front dome light, and it still did not work. The front dome light is in the rear view mirror assembly. I removed it and inspected the light. I was unable to find anything wrong, so I replaced the rear view mirror assembly.

Now none of the dome lights come on when a door is opened. Theydo work when individually turned to ON, but not when a door is opened.

My next step was to replace the whole rear view mirror assembly, so I picked one up at a wrecking/salvage yard to no avail. Still no dome lights when a door is opened.

Any ideas or thoughts? Where do I go from here?

3 Replies

COSMO

MECHANIC
347 POSTS

Does the radio work? And is the switch in the 'door' position?

Cosmo. Mazda TEch

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Tuesday, March 13th, 2007 AT 2:02 PM

HIPPO800

MEMBER
29 POSTS

Sometimes the solution is not to replace an item but to fix it.
Re-solder the wires to the light-bulb clamp terminals.
It is not functioning because of loose terminals.
There is a myriad of things wrong with most modern wiring.
Terminals to do with lights, switches, etc, should be brass and involve screw-in terminals.
Even the Painless Wiring fuse panels have screw in wire attachment points.
Examine heavy-duty truck switches, and then ask yourself why consumers have to be satisfied with substandard 'auto' electrical connections?
Pioneer 10 is perhaps still in the heliosphere/pause, and I sometimes wonder about its' dome lamps.

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Tuesday, July 31st, 2007 AT 1:22 PM

HIPPO800

MEMBER
29 POSTS

I have the same problem with the rear-view dome lamp assembly.
Having discovered that the plastic terminal isolator bar is broken, and the skimpy rivets are loose; I decided to attempt to repair.
I'm using a replacement piece of UHMW plastic.
It is tricky, but no more so that brain micro-surgery.
I'm at a loss to explain why such an important item as a dome lamp was given the Fisher Price treatment.
Mazda needs more experience with electrical receptacles.
So, there are worse problems to be encountered.
Just remove the black plastic terminal bar and make another.
Selecting the right species of plastic is tricky too.
But, rest assured, it is repairable.
I most certainly will not pay $140.00 Can for the entire assembly !
But, let's take a moment to consider the plight of tiny marmosets in certain remaining jungles.

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Wednesday, August 1st, 2007 AT 2:53 PM