Username:   Password:   
   
   mazda Forum
Index  FAQ  Search  Memberlist  Usergroups  Profile  Register
 Log in to check your private messages
Has anyone had a problem w/ the headlights on the mazda 3 I am constantly changing them.
  Post new topic   Reply to topic x-mazda-x.com Forum Index » General mazda Forum     
Message
Driver     Reply with quote
Has anyone had a problem w/ the headlights on the mazda 3 I am constantly changing them.
dwi     Reply with quote
Headlight bulbs should not have to be constantly changed. If this is the case, l can think of the following things:

-After the first re-install they were not correctly placed in the assembly (if the bulb is not seated correctly & just wobbling around, it is likely to blow out if u hit a large bump or pothole)

-Check ur fuses

-Incorrect bulb size (some bulbs will fit in harnesses but if u bought the wrong size it may affect bulb life)

Chances r its the first one, headlight bulbs can be very sensitive. If the problem persists, it could be an intenal electrical/wiring issue - check with ur mechanic/dealer.
Gadget     Reply with quote
Have you've noticed that the lights flicker at all?Or they seem to be a bit dull at times or r dull?
If they seem to flicker or r dull there is a good chance that either the wires going to the lights have a short or r bare or damaged or a loose connection or the voltage regulator is acting up causing voltage surges that will end up blowing out the lights.
I'd check the battery with a voltage meter with the engine off & then with it on to check & see if when the engine is off what voltage is there it should be around 12.7 volts then when engine is running it should be around at least 13.7 volts up to over 14 volts but not up in the 15 volt range.If the voltage is low with engine off that means the battery is not fully charged or is acting up , plus with engine running if the current is either too low or high the voltage regulator thats either external or inside the alternator is bad or the charging system had bad or rusty or corroded connections on the battery , starter or alternator or engine block ground etc.
Try these same voltage tests with the headlights on & see if the current level really drops bec that tell u either the headlights have a bad connection or that the charging system has problems.
Sometimes a fuse or relay etc can develop a bad connection that will cause intermittent different problems, I'd trace the circuit start with the fuse box remove each fuse etc for the headlites one at a time & clean the fuse etc pins or legs with a file or sandpaper or a wire brush.
Trace the wires coming off the the headlites & check them for bare or frayed or damaged etc spots , plus check the ground connections on them & u might want to just add a whole new fresh ground connection & wire via the chassis or battery is negative battery post new fresh ground & ground wire to both the headlight centre pin wires.
The next possible cause is the sockets themselves r faulty or bad or have moister getting to them.Even a faulty headlight switch could cause this problem especially if you're noticing not only the low beams but the high beams r also blowing out on you.
l do hope that yu've been buying life time warranty headlite bulbs.
Also keep in mind that if u r replacing one headlite bulb bec only one bulb is blown out or bad it is best to actually change any type of headlites or fog lights in pairs.So if you've been changing the right side headlite then later suddenly the left headlite then the right one again etc that is why they keep blowing out on you.

Hope that helps & best of luck.By the way how do u expect us to fully be able to help u when u do not even mention the make or model or year or engine type or mileage etc of ur vehicle.Keep in mind that many diifferent vehicles have different common issues or faults etc all related to their make or the yr or model or the ages of the vehicles.
Anyways l wish u all the best & Merry Xmas & Happy new year!
Drunk     Reply with quote
some of the older 3 is have a tsb for headlights, but there r verynfew that got out without notice .nnyou may be going to a parts store that is rough on parts. nntry another store first.nsecond, dont touchvthe bulb at all.nthird; use waterproof electrical grease on the plugs, make sure u get the plug secure, & try to avoid potholes. nni have seen a lot of mazdas that dont like potholes,,. if u hit one too hard , u CAN break the filament.nnalso with the winter weather , keep an eye on the housing for moisture .nnnthe comment about wrong bulbs should NEVER be an issue . if you're parts store gives u the wrong parts , go elsewhere .nif u dont know what bulb u have , take one with u , or jUst go to a dealer .nnnpersonaly l would take it to the dealer if its still under warranty .nn-hov
Coach     Reply with quote
It sounds as if the alternator is putting out too much voltage. Check the voltage with a volt meter at the battery terminals with the engine rived up to about 2 k. It should be a little over 13 volts.
Display posts from previous:   
  Post new topic   Reply to topic x-mazda-x.com Forum Index » Generalmazda Forum     

Lates Messages



You can post new topics in this forum
You can reply to topics in this forum
You can edit your posts in this forum
You can delete your posts in this forum
You can vote in polls in this forum