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-   -   1st gen LX cant use LEDs (https://www.mazda3club.com/exterior-interior-audio-4/1st-gen-lx-cant-use-leds-1381/)

GTX140 December-12th-2001 01:15 PM

1st gen LX cant use LEDs
 
Believe it or not, LED tail bulbs prevent the cruise on LXs from working. I use my cruise everyday to work and back. This morning, it wouldn't work. When i got to work I checked the vacuum connection, as well as electrical, all good. Whipped out the Haynes (still the BEST manual in the WORLD), and followed it.
We all know that cruise disengages when the brake is tapped. however, in our cars, it's a little more complicated. the cruise computer measures the voltage/amperage drain of the bulbs. the LEDs i installed use way less power than the regular bulbs do. So, long story short, when the parking lights and/or headlights are on, cruise wont work. it sounds silly, but it is true.
If you have a LX, and live in one of the poles where you have sun 24/7, get LEDs. the rest of us aren't allowed. obviously, DX people don't have this problem. :squint fi

Pat
92 MP3

mazdaspeedwest December-12th-2001 01:23 PM

interesting find Pat....:laugh:

BTW, what would make me not want to use my cruise out here in Cali? just cause it's sunny, doesn't mean i don't like to relax a bit......:cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

GTX140 December-12th-2001 01:29 PM

sun
 
the cruise still works when the lights are off. I mentioned the poles cause they'd never use their headlights.

mazdaspeedwest December-12th-2001 01:47 PM

ahhh, i see ok, i re-read your post and i caught it this time...sorry man.....

GTX140 December-12th-2001 05:11 PM

probably
 
Probably, but it's not worth it. The cruise cpu is buried behind the blower motor.

hihoslva December-17th-2001 08:52 AM

Does the LED kit also replace the third brake light? If not, can't the cruise voltage detector be rewired to that?

Another idea - what about installing a small incandescent bulb somwhere along the tail-light circuit, in an unseen location, like inside one of the interior panels. You could splice into the tail light wires, and then that bulb might draw enough power when illuminated to trip up the cruise control properly.

Just some thoughts....

GTX140 December-17th-2001 11:26 AM

not worth it
 
There isn't really a kit, just replacement bulbs. The cruise doesn't take any readings from the third brake light because it doesn't have a low filament. Besides, I took out that stupid light 2 years ago and the cruise works. I suppose you could to some tapping and spicing, but it's really not worth it. the stock bulbs are brighter anyway.

Pat
92 MP3


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