| Subject: | Headlight wire breakage |
| Components covered: |
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| Investigations Summary: |
This investigation was opened on Sep. 30, 1999.
It was closed on May. 10, 2000.
Note: this investigation has resulted in
a vehicle safety recall. Based on the review of Mazda's investigation and testing, examination of two failed field units (a headlight switch and a combination switch), and telephone interviews of several complainants, it appears that the headlight lead wire which is attached to and located just below the turn signal lever, can be stressed from cycling the trun signal lever and result in fatigue breakage of the wire. Complaints stated that the headlights went off during operation in model year (my) 1995 protege vehicels when uning the turn signal and/or while just driving (e. G. , going over a small bump). Several complainants contacted by odi stated that sometimes the headlights did not come back on after going off until the driver sucecessfully jiggled the trun signal lever or the headlight wire harness (I. E. , re-make electricalconnection of a partially broken wire). Permanent loss of headlights can occur when the wire is completely broken. In July 1995, about the start of my 1996 production, Mazda changed the material off the headlight lead wire to increase durability. No similar complaints on my 1996 protege vehicles have been reported to odi or Mazda. |
| Vehicles Affected by this investigation: |
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