bozi

Hi, I looked this morning at my car only to find that the friggin right fog light has a hole in it. I called the delear and they told me that it would cost $143 CAD plus tax to get a new one. But he also told me that replacing it through them would cost me one hour and half of labour (for a fog light, what kind of idiot mechanics do they hire at mazda?) .

Anyways I'm definetly no mechanic, he told me that they almost have to take the bumper off to replace the light. Does anyone know how I can do it myself (instructions that a car ignorant like me can understand), I really have trouble believing that it's rocket science to replace a friggin cracked light.

I appreciate your help guys. Thanks.

Stinkyxy

The manual calls for removing the front bumber .....
Then there are 3 bolts that hold it in place.(andthe connector)
I do not know if you can see it but it does not look too easy to do without this off.

The removal of the bumper is not that difficult. I can scan the pic and then post it but I do not know how to upload pics here.

Maybe someone has been able to do it without removing the bumber.


Sorry I could't elp more.

RA2OR

Hey bozi I'm in the same boat and glad you asked that question, my light still works so I'm going to hold off for a while. Eurolitz has a set out, I don't know if they are cheaper but it might be worth a look.

MYFBPEX00

if it's a P5 yuo don't have to take the bumper off, just the under skirt behind the bumber. The bolt that holds the light in the mounting bracket is right there. Search for fog light and bulbs and you should fine something that will help.

walight01

i agree also. it takes about 10 min to remove the like and put a different one in(ie change bulbs).

bozi

Just checking but your not talking about the bulbs right, your talking about the whole fog light installation I hope. So in that case all you have to do is get under the car and take the bolts out right?

thanks

walight01

yes to change the bulb or any thing whatsoever to the fog light, you have to completely remove it from the car, and its only one bolt/nut.

davens

Once you replace a headlight or foglight because of a stray rock, this seems like a wonderful idea:

http://chasetechno.com/generic.html?pid=0

There are several different kinds on the market...some even have replacement glass coverage, or cash toward replacement if they happen to break while using the cover

bozi

Actually I don't want to disagree with any of you guys (since I'm so car ignorant it's just not funny), but in the manual it clearly says to remove the bumper in order to replace the entire fog light. Did you guys do it without removing the bumper? Let me get this straight you just went under the car and in a matter of a few minutes and a few bolts and screws later the fog light was in your hands.



btw did you have to disconnect the negative battery cable?

Mach 1

why dont you go out to your car and find out for yourself. If you put as much effort into removing the light that you have asking about it, it would probably be out already..

BTW, just because the manual says to remove the bumper doesnt mean it has to be done that way...

bozi

Thanks for the advice. I will go out and try it. You see the only problem is I don't have an indoor garage, and if you have ever been to Toronto in the winter when it's -2Celcius with -20C windchills you would know that I would rather ask than spend my time outside. In addition I don't think anyone would start to disassemle a computer without at least getting an idea of where to start.

But thanks, I'm a little more confident about doing it since others have already done it.

bozi

Oh I forgot, I guess that manual is for Mazda mechanics, and I would immagine that the instructions are probably meant to take as much time as possible so that you may squeeze every penny out of a customer.

Mach 1

Not necessarily. Dealers use "mitchells" books which have a time alloted for each job, and thats what they charge you buy. well, some of them use them. The time in the book is usually fairly accurate and is based on an "experienced mechanic" doing the work.

Taking a light out of a car is not rocket science. remove fasteners....remove light and or light bulb assembly. If you cant access the fasteners because there is something in your way, then remove whatever is in your way.

You can do it..I have the utmost confidence in you

let us know how it works out.

besides the best way to learn is to do it, and if its cold, you wont be wasting any time..lol

deeman

May be the time estimate includes reaiming the foglight??

zmzmp5

Damn it!

I'm pretty frustrated with this thread. Have any of you done searches?

Please see:

http://www.rtekimports.com/mazda/piaa40/index.htm

This will give you the explaination that you will need to replace and/or upgrade the fog lights.

- Brian