License Plate Light Broken (complex)
 

I just got a ticket for my license plate light being out. I got a new bulb and changed it...No luck. I took it to mazda to check to the fuse....No luck.

They looked deeper into the problem, took of the bumper to check the wiring. They asked me if had been in any rear-end accidents and i said no. They said i need to rewiring done cause some wires were loose or somethin and that it would be a couple $100 to fix it.

This is a small ass problem that i know doesnt require this much labor, anybody else have this problem? was it a simple rewiring to your hazard lights? Luckily mazda didnt charge me anything when they looked for the problem. but i know other shops probably will. Thanks guys!

You could tap into your brake lights for power and run a wire behind the bumper to where the license plate is. Then hook up an LED.

Yes it is rewiring (and not really fixing the problem) but will only cost $10-$20 instead of hundreds at the dealership.

I appreciate the comment on the LED suggestion. I took it to a custom auto shop here in Houston (Sals Auto Sport). The wiring for the light was completely unplugged and wrapped inside my bumper and was just hanging freely. They rewired it and placed it where it was supposed to go. And they used an LED light which is way brighter and saves engery. Was only $99.

please call me the next time you plan on spending 100 bucks for 15 mins of labor and a 4 dollar LED. I'll just falcon punch you and take it :)

In all seriousness, spend some time looking at the DIY threads about how to remove: front bumper, rear bumper, door trim, etc etc etc. Things will break/stop working and there is a certain sense of pride you get fixing it yourself. There is also a certain sense of "OMGWTF" when you realize how much people will charge you for these very easy fixes.

it takes about 10--15 minutes to take every related part off

and another 10 minutes or so to run a new wire.

but usually, its about 3 minutes to find out what went wrong and fix it (like a short on wire, loose connectors,etc)