Glazedham42

I have obtained a pair of Pilot 230B Fog Lights for my pro. However, they come with the cheap looking switch to turn them on and off. The big clunky black plastic one, with a red light up toggle switch.

What I would like to do is use one of the unoccupied switches in my dash to turn them on and off. Since my Pro is a DX I have quite a few slots where there were supposed to be switches but aren't. I guess they are for other options that my car doesn't have. Mainly the two switches to the left of the steering wheel.

You LX owners might actually have a switch there that operates something, I'm not sure, but I don't have anything there. Here is a picture for those of you who don't understand what I'm talking about.

Picture #1

However, I'm not sure this switch to the left of the steering wheel can even be removed. In this picture is looks as if It is all one piece and can't be removed. Like it is all made out of one piece of plastic, and would have to be smashed or broken to be taken out.

Picture #2

If that switch can be replaced, or removed, or isn't usable, there is another switch next to the dimmer switch. Here it is...

Picture #3

My question basically is, even if these switches can be used I'm going to have to get some kind of an actual moving switch, as these are just plastic filler pieces. Will a Mazda dealer be able to order switches that will fit in these spots so that I can hook my fog lights up to them? Also, how will I get access to these switches in order to hook them up to my fog lights?

islandpro

hey links arent working. did you ever find out any info from the dealer.

mazdaspeedwest

ok from left to right....LX switches

Power mirrors (large square)
Cruise Control on/off

(steering wheel)

Rear Defroster on/off
AC on/off
(which happen to be switches i NEVER USE )

You can probably find a cruise control switch at a scrap yard and use that to switch the lights. (makes for a nice pocket part ) Make sure to get the plug that it connects too, as it may not be present in the DX, but i have a sneaky suspision that the harness is there....Then just wire the plug as needed. Or simply get a "rocker" switch small enough to mount in the power mirror blank. It looks solid, but i'm quite sure it's removable, you'll need to remove the dash peice and the plate is probably screwed (or snapped) on from the back the same way the switch would be mounted.

Glazedham42

I am now hoping to wire the fog lights into the cruise control switch since I don't have anything there, and Darryl has confirmed for me that it is possible. I went to the Mazda dealer and asked if I could order this switch hoping it would be about $5-$10. I was a little suprised when the guy in the parts department told me $54.26!! That's too much money for a switch.

I'm also in a spot because the junkyard near to me just about has only domestic cars. I've called them before and they don't even have a first gen protege in the whole yard, let alone the LX model. So basically if I want this part I'm gonna have to go pretty far out of the way to get it, i.e. a different junkyard somewhere near to me.

mazdaspeedwest

try these links

http://www.mazdarecycling.com/
http://www.mazdadiscountparts.com/

You will still have to figure out how the switch works (i.e. what wires do what) and it doesn't have to be the cruise switch either, the cruise, defrost and AC switch are the same sizes, so i gather either would work.

Glazedham42

So the switches are interchangeable? The closest LX I've found to me is in a junkyard that is about a 2 1/2 hour drive away. However, there is a junkyard that has a DX about half an hour or forty-five minutes north of me. So I'm hoping I'll be able to take the rear defroster switch out of the DX like you mentioned. Will I need the wires that hook up to the back of the switch also, or just the switch itself?

I want to make sure of everything I need before I take off on this "road trip." LOL

mazdaspeedwest

yes, unplug the switch and grab a hold of the plug and wire harness, pull hard, then cut the wires. You may not need the plug, but it's better to leave the OEM wiring alone and use the scrap yard plug and harness.......Try to get as much wire as you can.

funkdaddysmack

The wiring harness should indeed be run to the blank cruise control plate. I took mine apart on my 323, and the wire were run to it, so I'm sure your pro is the same way.

Glazedham42

Thanks fellas, I appreciate the help. I'll keep you posted, and we'll see what happens.

Glazedham42

Well, I ended up taking the rear defroster switch out of a DX. I had to drive about 50 miles to get it, but hey, what do you expect from a dedicated Protege owner? I got the switch and the harness and about three inches of wiring to go with it. All I've gotta do now is install the fog lights. Compared to everything else, this should be the easy part!