I find the trunk release to be in the worst location, down under the dash.
Why would Mazda put the trunk button WAY down there, when there is room for (at least) two more buttons in the rack, right below the vent?

The button is plainly a POS, and would look more at home in a '91 Mazda 323. It is not even LIT, unlike every other switch in the car! (but it does have little bumps on it, probably Braille, 'cos you would never SEE it!

So a little modding is required, the signal is just a 'momentary closed' button, and I know a 'Zoomer who can get me a nice Mazda JDM piece.....beautiful little switch, made for the J spec rear foglight. It is supposed to take the place of the 'DSC Off' switch, and is two switches in one socket. It cannot be just plugged in to the US spec car, the harness is different, but it it still a very useful item.

The switch has 5 terminals, and to save you the time and all that 'spring-finding-little-ball-bearing-chasing' disassembly (DOH!) - I can tell you what each terminal does -
Terminals #1 & #2 (together) are for the lights, power and (thru the dimmer) ground.
The next three are -
#3, common,
#4 momentary switched output from the top switch (marked 'Light')
#5 momentary switched output from bottom switch (marked 'DSC Off')

For the trunk to unlock, I needed to ground the yellow wire to the black as the original button did. So I wired #3contact to ground, and used the top switch.

I can still use the bottom part of the switch for something else in the future.

S

 

And the finished product. (working on the label)

An accessible, lit and dimmable switch.

S

 

wow...nice trick...good thread for some "how to" sticky...

 

I might use that location for the "arm" button on my nitrous kit. Don't wanna be too conspicuous...

C.R.

 

Totally agree.... whoever designed THAT little piece of the car should be fired. I have just put one of those soft plastic 'feet' on mine to make it really noticeable by feel. I like your fix better.

How can we get that switch and any idea of cost?

 

This is obviously one of those "each to his own" things, but I never had any trouble finding the button - just feel for the little bumps and press.

That said, this is a pretty neat implementation.

 

The switch is the 'JDM Rear Foglight" switch, but it comes in two versions, one with just a one function light swith, and another that splits in the middle to control two different items (and is the same price as the base switch!)

Got it from Maurice (Canzoomer)

Before the US dollar's latest plunge it was $35 US, he brings them over from Tokyo.

S

edit - I like that 'stik-on rubber foot' that is MY kind of mod, but this time I decided to go the high road.

 

How about just buying another 'DSC' switch, installing and using that, I think that is a momentary contact sw, and will match up nicely?

 

Very slick installation; thanks for posting it. Like eccles, I don't find the original button very troublesome. I drilled myself a few times to find the switch quickly both inside the car, and also outside reaching through the window. It is now very intuitive to me. However, I can see how it could bother some people and your solution is excellent.

 

Making it difficult for the casual passerby to find is probably why they "hid" it to begin with.

Now, if StealthTL disconnected the stock switch, and didn't label his new switch too clearly, it would be even more stealth, and the trick would work with valets and people who know where the button is.

And regardless of what you do with the switch, you can install a relay hooked up with the alarm so that the switch is defeated when that alarm is activated, either in full or valet mode.

---jps

 

Roger that, but I'm thinking why not just use the trunk button on the remote - it's hanging right there with your key...

 

There is a trunk button disable switch already - in the glove box. Flip the switch, lock the glove box, give the valet the valet key, your trunk is relatively secure.

Regards,
Gordon

 

True, though of course none of us would ever dream of letting a valet touch our cars, right? Read the 10,000,000 threads about flooding.

 

Nice mod, Stealth! May just have to add this to my to-do list, then use the existing trunk switch for something else. Hmmm.

 

Too many switches on the RX-8... I am getting

 

After one has gone through that once or twice, it will get pretty old, and you will rarely do it. Hook it up to your alarm system, and it is done for you automatically every time you arm the car.

---jps

 

Very cool mod, and I don't mean to rain on the parade but my concern is accidently popping the trunk open while driving because the new switch is very close to the DSC and light dimmer switches

 

While you are at it, don't forget to lock the pass-through door between the rear seats.

 

Moved to DIY and reposted the pictures.

S

 

i like this idea. im usually too lazy and i use the button my my keyfob lol

 

Great Diy! I Will Probably Do This Sometime Soon. Thanks!

 

StealthTL: Can you put me in touch with the guy you bought your switch from?