Time to replace the DRL again?
 

The dealer replaced the DRL Control module last July. $122 for the part and $45 labour. Less than a year later the running lights don't work again.
I don't suppose they'll waranty this will they. Oh, and the bulbs were changed the year before the DRL module.
Railton

well you have to make sure your bulbs arent burned out now. i understnad they were replaced about 1.5 years ago...thats actually a long time to just asume the bulbs are okay so check them first. also, if it is the DRL module at fault, dont pay 45 bucks to have someone install it for you. they are really easy to do. i put one in my car in like 2 mins out in the freezing cold. heres a quick way to tell if its bulbs, DRL module or none of the above. if your highbeams dont work and the DRLs dont either, then its the bulbs (more than likely or a combination of one bulb out and the DRL out as well). if only the drivers side highbeam works and your DRLs dont, its likely the module as the passenger side highbeam is grounded through the module. also, how are you checking that your DRLs work? you are aware they are off if the parking brake is applied. they are also only on if the engine is running. i know those two seem obvious, but its better it be said than not. also, if everything checks out and it is a DRL module (they burn out very frequently) and the dealer wont cover it, i can make a DIY with pictures for you if there isnt one already made so that you dont have to pay someone a rediculous 45 bucks to have it installed.

good luck

Greg

$45 I think that is the cheapest labour for anything on our car :lol2:

+1 for what greg said!

Thanks for your response Rotary Greg.

In re: of your specific questions; I've broken them down some what:

1. if your highbeams dont work and the DRLs dont either, then its the bulbs
[railton] Both Hi beams and the DRL's do not work.

2. f only the drivers side highbeam works and your DRLs dont, its likely the module as the passenger side highbeam is grounded through the module.
[railton] Neither hi-beam works.

3. also, how are you checking that your DRLs work? you are aware they are off if the parking brake is applied. they are also only on if the engine is running. i know those two seem obvious, but its better it be said than not.
[railton] Yes, I am aware.

[railton] So, sounds like the bulbs again right?

it would seem that way unless you have some very severe wiring problems, or maybe even a fuse out. thats unlikely but 'im jus sayin'. the plugs arent that hard to get too for the bulbs from under the hood. IIRC, the drivers side one is a little easier. just unplug the socket and use a voltmeter to see if its getting power at all before you try to change the bulbs. they can be a real PITA to change if you dont have a warm place to do it.

Greg

Ahh the DRL nightmare...

My 8 was in the shop 5 times tring to figure this one out. When i put the parking brake on the DRL's would flicker on and off and you could hear something shorting out!!

The ended up checking every connection, then changing the bulbs, then scratching their heads, then changing the DRL control module, and then finaly they traced it down to a loose grounding screw inside the relay switch under the parking brake!!!

and then... after all that messing around with the electricals, the heater control module blew!!!

shitty buzz man. that sucks. hope you were still under warranty while all that was going on.

Railton, whats the update on this? get it sorted out yet?

Greg

Ha! I work for a living.

I placed a liter of oil on the hood of the car tonight after parking in my garage so I'll remember tomorrow to add it before I drive it again.
I'll let you know when I get it done.
Cheers,
Railton

hey rotarygreg
 

Yeah, i bought the super extended warranty so they covered everything. The dealer i take my 8 to is really up on the customer service end of things.

They even felt so bad about about my car being in so many time that i manage to talk them into changing the windshield under warranty as well!!!! (it had a few stone chips!)

mine has been not working about 1 year ago but i never replaced anything. it makes my car look different at the day time lol. but now i guess i will have to, cuz my highbeams doesnt work either.

Jesus, what part of the country are you from and who's the dealer?:eek:

:lol: I bought the car in Guelph but live in Oakville. I've been taking her to Oakville Mazda for the last year and a half.... No complaints from my end on how they are treating me!!!:lol2:

Or just forget the DRLs altogether!

Haven't had DRLs for 2 years. Didn't work when I bought the car, didn't bother fixing 'em.

Worse you'll get is a warning.

are you positive both your highbeams are working? thats why i fixed my DRLs because the passenger side highbeam would not come on because that part of the highbeam circuit is grounded through the DRL module. otherwise i would have not cared about my DRLs nto working.

Greg

my both highbeams and drl's do not work.

i thought it might be burnt bulbs.

today, i replaced bulbs.

but still no luck. both highbeams and drl's don't work.

any suggenstion??

i don't know which fuse look at.

i checked the fuse under the hood but it's fine.

both highbeems dont work? you must have some other issues my friend. there is a fuse pannel by your left knee if you are sitting in the drivers seat. look in there. anything else electrical on the car not working?

everthing electrical on the car works fine except highbeam.

i just don't know there is "highbeam" fuse.

but i will try

thx

if im not mistaken, there should be three fuses in your engine bay fuse box all together and all labeled something to do with headlights. they all say HEAD on them or something like that. i just looked at one like 20 mins ago. those would be a good thing to check. i just realized that you said you checked your fuses, but how did you check them? did you just look at them or did you use a test light?

when i looked into the fuse box, i figured inginition relay fuse and headlight relay fuse are the same.
i swapped those two.
i was able to start my 8 and low beams, parking lights, corner lights worked but highbeams and drl's didn't


this is the list of fuses under the hood.

trunk lid opner relay
air pump relay
acc relay
horn relay
front fog light relay
rear fog light relay
drive-by-wire relay
main relay
heaelight relay
starter relay
ignition relay
tns relay
cooling fan relay No. 3
a/c relay
rear window defroster relay
cooling fan relay No. 1
seat warmer relay
fuel pump relay
cooling fa relay No. 2
bolwer relay
fuel pump speed control relay


looks like there are 3 fuses related with lights (front fog relay, rear fog relay, headlight relay)

i will test those three fuses

zerg, tomorrow ill get you the mazda procedure for diagnosing this problem from the factory service manual.

i finally figured out what the problem was.

it was the drl fuse in the fuse box under the hood.

i just have no idea why the fuse blown up.

btw, i'm really happy to see highbeams, drls work lol

thanky greg

good stuff, glad you got it fixed

A bit late but here we go anyways :P

Yes my highbeams are working... nice & bright! I'm not worrying about my DRLs until I get pulled over for it. I turn them on manually half the time anyways so no big deal.

Two months later...both high beam bulbs replaced.
Railton

good stuff, and in record time too. lol