I got the Mazda footwell light kit for Christmas and installed it yesterday. It looks great but doesn't operate correctly. When I open any door but the drivers door they work perfectly, when I open the drivers door, they dimly flash and go out even if I leave the door open. I examined the schematics and I see why this can happen, the drivers door switch is diode isolated from the other door switches which means that the door switch signal from the drivers side door to the timer will be about 0.7 Volts higher than the signal from the other doors. Apparently this is enough to prevent the timer from triggering. I have a fix in mind, I'll use the courtesy lamp signal as a trigger to the timer.

My question is to the other forum members that have the Mazda footwell lights, do yours work properly or do they work as I have described above?

 

No one has the foot lights?

 

Mine work properly. Either door open they stay on, will fade out about 10-12 seconds after door is shut.

 

Thanks for the response I fired off an e-mail to Mazda to see if I can get it fixed under warranty.

 

I've been toying with the thought of adding the footwell lights - opinions from those who have them?

 

I wanted to get em, but not sure on the install too...

Can anyone scan the instructions?

 

I like the way that they look, nice sublte touch. Installation wasn't too hard, the instructions are very detailed (sorry I don't have a scanner at home, I'll try and scan them at work after the 5th) The most difficult part is squeezing into the space to work, most of the work is done behind the kick panel under the dash on the left side behind the fuse box. Part of the problem was that I forgot to move the seat back before I disconnected the battery.

 

zoom2x, I have exactly the same problem, the lights go out in 1-2 seconds if I open the driver side door and remain lit for the normal 8-10 secs with the other door, I would definitely like to fix it too, it is quite annoying

 

OK, I just went and checked to make sure. Please ignore my first post. There is a difference in delay time. I didn't measure it with my watch but using number counting, the lights went out at 5 when I opened and closed the driver and 13 when I opened and closed the passenger door. I didn't do any fancy experients like open d, open p, close p, close d vrs open d open p close d, close p. I assume it's the last door closed that triggers the dim out. Let me know what Mazda tells you, in the meanwhile I'm going to re-read the specs on the lights.

 

Zoom 2x, did Mazda reply yet?
Now I know a lot of people have this problem with the driver door it has really started bugging me
Please post Mazda's reply when you get it, thanks

 

Here is Mazda's reply. When I tried calling the dealer they said they could maybe fit me in next week. I don't think they'll be able to fix anything. I was going to wire the timer to the courtesy light wire but I was explaining to the wife what I was doing and was going to show her the problem and they worked perfectly!! At this point I think I'll just keep and eye on it and if they start acting up I'll go ahead and make the change.


Mazda's reply
----------------------------------------


Dear Mike,

Thank you for contacting Mazda North American Operations. I appreciate
the opportunity to respond to you.

In regards to your question, please understand I'm not technically
trained and therefore not in a position to diagnose or instruct on
repair procedures for your RX-8. For these matters, Mazda relies on the
factory-trained technicians at authorized Mazda dealerships to diagnose
and repair concerns that may arise with a Mazda vehicle.

My goal is to make your ownership experience an enjoyable one, and so
to ensure this I have personally reviewed your concerns with Robert,
Service Advisor, at Anaheim Mazda. He advised to contact either Ruben
or Brian to have your footwell lights inspected. As such, please
contact one of them at (714) 956-1820. Anaheim Mazda is located at 1271
S. Auto Center Drive, Anaheim CA 92806.

Please take a moment to give us your opinion about our e-mail service.
Click the link below to complete a brief, online survey.

http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?...6RM8GQPRWCFQ5M

Regards,

Jennifer Gray
Specialist, Customer Assistance E-Business




Original Message Follows:
------------------------


Form Message

Email Address: rastrel@pacbell.net
First Name: Michael
Last Name: Jones
Title: Mr.
Message Zip: 92806
Subject1: Ownership & Maintenance
Subject2: Service & Maintenance
Current Mazda Owner: true
Model: RX-8
Year: 2004
VIN: JM1FE173340107891
Message Body: I got the Mazda footwell light kit for Christmas and
installed it yesterday. It looks great but doesn't operate correctly.
When I open any door but the drivers door they work perfectly, when I
open the drivers door, they dimly flash and go out even if I leave the
door open. I examined the wiring diagrams and I see why this can happen,
the drivers door switch is diode isolated from the other door switches
(the diode is part of the instrument cluster in section C of the wiring
diagram) which means that the door switch signal from the drivers side
door to the timer will be about 0.7 Volts higher than the signal from
the other doors. Apparently this is enough to prevent the timer from
triggering. My questions are: Is this the intended mode of operation? If
not can I get this repaired under warranty? If it is not covered by
warranty I am considering attaching the trigger wire from the footlamp
timer to Green/Black wire in connector X-14 (Section I3 of wiring
diagram) which is signal wire from the Keyless entry which controls the
courtesy lights, is there a problem doing this? Thank you for your help
Mike Jones

 

Hey, thanks for the post.

I am still at a loss about what to do, maybe a trip to the Mazda dealership...

but thanks again

 

Well I got fed up with how the footwell lights were working (or not working) and I rewired them and connected the footwell light timer trigger signal to the courtesy lights. Now they go on whenever the courtesy lights are active, including when the key fob is used to unlock the car. They go out about 8 seconds after the courtesy lights do. Not sure if I like the delayed turn off but will try it for a bit and see. I could just wire the footwell lights in parallel with the courtesy lights but I was concerned about the addtional load on the keyless entry module.

 

I got feed up with them too and wired them to my headlights so they stay on all the time at night while driving...VERY COOL LOOKING!

 

Hey Guys,

Im curious being were on this topic.. has anyone tried wiring it with a switch? Like you can turn it on and off as you please with no auto timer shut off?

Any input is appreciated..

Z

 

I've noticed the footwell lights work fine with the driver's side door when the engine is running. I guess a slightly higher voltage fixes it ??

 

Interesting, I'll have to go check mine.

 

It really seems to be right on the edge, mine would work perfectly right after I'd driven the car when the battery was at max voltage. Changing the footlights to trigger from the courtesy lights really is much better IMO and it's a minor mod.

 

Yep, I got 'em, and have the exact same problem with the driver's door. What wire exactly did you change to make them work? Thanks!

 

Just above the 54 pin connector that the instuctions have you connect in to is a bundle of wires leading to the door connector. The bundle can be identified by the fact that it is perpindicular to the other wiring bundles in that area and it lines up with the door wiring bundle conduit (black rubber tube between the body and the door). In this bundle of wires locate the DARK green wire with the black stripe. (There is also a light green wire with a black stripe in same bundle, so be sure you have the dark green one). Connect the black wire with the blue stipe from the foot light timer to this wire instead of where the instuctions tell you to.

 

Sorry for the dredge of an old post but I have an issue... I posted this in the other thread too just in case

I just got my lights installed and the timing always seem to change. Are they supposed to stay on for as long as the doors are open? Then when a door closes, they should go out after 10 secs?

What's the correct functionality for these lights?

 

Yes, they should be on when ever a door is open. Then they should stay on after you close the door for a while. I did some experiments before regarding car on versus off, lights on versus off, and which door shut last. Unfortunately, I didn't post my findings here and don't remember the results. I do remember I found something that's not documented here and planned on posting but failed to. I guess the bottom line is I liked the lights and really didn't care if they faded in 5 seconds or 10 seconds. I'm really trying to remember and IIRC the lights faded identically (p side closed last or d side closed last) with the lights on and the car running. But if the lights (headlights) were off and/or the car was off, the dimout times differed.

 

where these bought on ebay ?

 

No, bought and installed by my dealer.

 

I had the dealer install the lights for the foot wells. At first I was speaking with the dealer before delivery, they when the car came in they were already ordered. So I took them.

I think they are great!! I do not know if it is an option, but when they were installed, the colour is RED. It looks great and everyone comments on them when they get in (only at night of course). Is the colour red normal, or different colours for the colour of your car. My car is Viscosity Red, great detail. I had no idea.

The lights work fine, I have had no problems at all.

Thanks
Doug