MAJOR electrical problem after trying to install HID's

[Airman Jack]

Hey guys, haven't posted on here in a while but I'm looking for some help that I can't seem to find on other forums.

I was trying to install 55w DDM HID's with a battery harness, got everything wired up correctly (confirmed by other sources) but when I went to do a functional check of things everything had gone to hell! The HID's did work when I put power to them, but here's my list of bugs:

1) fog lights do not work
2) when key is in 'on' position, low-beams are ALWAYS on regardless of control position
3) door locks / remote keyless entry do not work
4) rear window defog does not work
5) interior dome light works but does not turn on with opening of door
6) intermittent function of wipers (front and back) does not work
7) turn signals / hazard lights do not work
8) radio/HVAC lighting does not react to changes in outside lighting. i.e. the day/night sensor isn't working properly.

Okay, so that's a very frustrating list of very separate systems that all failed after this work.
I have checked every single fuse in the engine bay and behind the glove box. I have swapped relays from systems that I know work (heater) with identical relays for different systems (fogs) but the fault does not follow the relay, so it's not the relays either.

I'm at a complete loss, and my dealership here in Edmonton can't look at it until next Wednesday.

I have a few questions though:

1) Is the engine bay the only area of the car that holds relays?
2) When I use my high beams, I hear a solenoid or relay ticking from inside the steering column, are there more relays or solenoids in the steering column that control fogs, low beams, wipers, etc?
3) how do I open up my steering column to check this area?
4) Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks for any help you guys can give!!

(nailbyt)

 

[Rotus8]

There are relays in the PJB box under the glove box along with the fuses, and also a microcomputer that I believe controls everything you are having problems with. It sounds like that computer has lost it's mind somehow.

 

[TheMAN]

if you messed with the PJB at all, make sure ALL of the connectors are seated FLUSH with the PJB unit... partially seated connectors will cause weird s*** like this happening!

 

[Airman Jack]

Rotus8, I've been into the fuse panel behind the glove box, but I didn't see any relays or any boxes that look like a microcomputer. I don't suppose you could give me some better directions to this component? (eekdance)

edit: I've gotten in to that panel both by dropping it down from underneath and also by removing the glove box from the car, so you can start the directions from there if you can

 

[TheMAN]

then you messed with the PJB
you need to check the wiring and connectors there!

 

[Airman Jack]

then you messed with the PJB
you need to check the wiring and connectors there!

2 questions:

1) what does PJB stand for?
2) where on this board is this microcomputer located?

 

[Airman Jack]

bump: No one can tell me where I can find the relays and microcomputer behind the glovebox?

 

[shane02pro5]

I believe primary junction box and mine is under the hood on my P5. I wish I could be more help!

 

[Airman Jack]

Thanks for the definition Shane! Now if I can just find out where those relays and computer are... Maybe I'll pull out the glove box and take another look

 

[Airman Jack]

So I got my hands on some wiring schematics for the affected components in my car. There is a common link through the microcomputer that is "somewhere" behind the glove box, unless it's the actual tray that the fuses are sitting in? HOWEVER there are also a number of common links through grounds near/behind the headlights, so this weekend I'm going to pull my bumper off and take another look.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[Hunch Back Drvr]

To the OP:

This may sound stupid, but did you disconnect the battery before connecting anything?

Have you tried to reset the ecu? It may help.... may not.

 

[Rotus8]

The panel under the glove box contains fuses, relays, and the microcontroller that does all kinds of stuff for the accessories in the car. Some documentation on it can be found here:
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123687033

 

[Airman Jack]

Hunch Back, it's not a stupid question, but it was an oversight on my part that I did not disconnect the battery

Speaking of which... When you guys disconnect the battery, do you just remove the red terminal or both the red and black?

 

[muchdutch]

Were you doing bi-xenon? Unless you were doing bi-xenon, you don't actually need to do a battery wiring harness. The single beam HID kits are generally plug and play. I did mine without even disconnecting my battery.
Sounds like (as discussed previously) you fried the BCM (body control module or microcomputer).

 

[UHATEIT]

That is crazy that happened to you. I bougth an ebay HID kit for like $60 shipped and it was plug and play, connected it and turned on and works perfectly fine. Sorry to hear for your loss

 

[igni]

where did you got your ground for h.i.d?

sounds like a loosen bolt some were.

 

[Rotus8]

Hunch Back, it's not a stupid question, but it was an oversight on my part that I did not disconnect the battery

Speaking of which... When you guys disconnect the battery, do you just remove the red terminal or both the red and black?

Always remove the black first. Usually that's enough unless you are removing the battery itself.

Never disconnect the red first.

 

[Airman Jack]

good news everyone!

so after unplugging the battery and disconnecting every lead that goes to the PJB/microcomputer box, checking all the grounds, leads, shelding and whatnot, not finding a single damn thing wrong, then reconnecting everything.... IT WORKED!!

that's right, in the end it was the 'ol microsoft solution that ended up fixing *most* of my problems.

So now I've got all the critical systems back, however the "auto" function on my headlights still doesn't work correctly, and the rain sensing wipers aren't working, and one of the door sensors registers as always open. I've already tried the same solution without success.

I have now installed the DDM 55w 4500k HID's including the battery harness and MAN are they bright, with a nice sharp cutoff line.

So, now my troubles are the rain/light sensor (same box attached to the rearview mirror, right?) and one of the door position sensors. All in all, none are critical systems, but I'd like to have everything fully functional of course.

Any new suggestions?

Also.. Rotus8, thanks for all your help!

 

[Airman Jack]

AAARRRGGGHHH!!

New problem: THE CAR WON'T BLOODY START!

It can be bump started and runs normally, the battery has a full charge, I hear the starter relay ticking in the fuse panel, but I don't hear the starter solenoid engaging and the starter doesn't spin... I don't suppose Rotus8 has the pinout diagram for the starter system?

 

[Rotus8]

OK, I got the diagram out, let's see what we can do.

You say you hear a clicking in the "fuse box". Which fuse box? If you mean the one under the glove box, that has nothing to do with the starter itself, it is just turning off stuff like the radio while the starter cranks.

There is a relay in the main fuse box, labeled R13. If you can hear or feel that clicking when you turn the key to start, the problem is the relay, the starter, or fuse F12 in the main box. If you don't hear it clicking, check the switch on the clutch, and it's wiring. That wiring is a PITA. It goes from the starter relay, through the firewall to the clutch switch, Then back through the firewall to the PCM. The problem could be the PCM which has to give permission to the starter.

Here's another thought. The immobilizer could prevent starting. Check fuse F66 in the PJB, it is used to sense the chip in the key.

Good luck, these kind of problems are a real pain to find.