What would you do

[Skeeter]

Here is my problem. I have a 2002 P5 and I have posted before about the headlights as to what number bulb it takes. Well today I broke down and took it back to the dealer to have the headlights replaced. The only bulb that will fit in mine is an H4 which has 3 prongs and is a dual beam bulb. I have been using this bulb for 2 years now. It is the wrong bulb because everyone else uses an H7 bulb, well an H7 bulb will not fit in the wiring harnass. When I put the H4 in it fits in the harnass and into the headlight but you cannot put the clip around it, the bulb is twice the width of the H7 bulb. The dealer told me that they would have to order me new headlights at $500 each (omg)
I am missing a clip on one of the lights (anyone know where I can get one) and because of the wrong bulbs in there it has started to eat away the inside of the headlight. The dealer really doesn't seem like he wants to help except to get me to buy the whole headlight. I think that my husband could make a new clip, but the dealer just keeps telling me that the whole problem is that the clip is missing. That is not the problem, the problem is that Mazda put the wrong wiring harnass in my car. I have 2 other options #1 from the dealer - they order me an adapter that will plug into the 3 prong harnass and the other end will have 2 prongs for the H7 bulb to plug into and #2 from Pep Boys - buy pigtails to hook up the new bulb - if I can find some that will let the H7 bulb plug into it.
Sorry this is so long and probably wordy, but the thoughts were just flowing and right now I am just so pissed off at this car that I can't stand it.
Thanks for any advise....
Ticked off in Baltimore

 

[thrasher]

the adapter might be the best route if all else fails with the dealer.

 

[RatLabGuy]

i'm sorry, I just don't understand....
what bulbe were in it before your replaced it w/ the H4s? more H4s? if the wiring really is wrong, then the car must have been bought w/ the wrong ones in it, right?
BTW if you want to just replace the whole housing, hit up car-part.com or a junkyard parts locator, you could get a set for a whole lot less than that by a long shot.

 

[2xsess]

What I don't understand is how buying brand new headlight assemblies that are identical to what's in the car is going to fix anything. Or did I miss something in there?

 

[redpr5]

how did you manage to end up with h4s in a h7 assembly?????
so youve never had an h7 plug in your car?
if thats the case, that sounds like somethin you outta take up with mazda north america. i dont think you should have to pay for that, its not your fault.

 

[JoshP5]

I'm confused. Did you buy the car new? I can't believe Mazda made a mistake and crammed the wrong bulb in there. Sounds like someone rigged this up custom for god knows what reason. I have attached photos of the back of my stock lowbeam headlights--do these look familar?

Hope it helps.

 

[Skeeter]

I am the only owner of this car, I bought it in Feb 2002. My assembly looks just like yours but has 3 wires coming out instead of 2, I would have to check and the dealer has my car.

I asked the dealer the same question about buying a new headlight assembly and how would that help the problem, when the problem is with the wiring. He told me that it would come with some type of spacer and also with another clip (here we go again with the clip). The spacer would allow the H7 bulb to fit in that plug. Now why would I spend 500. for just the clip and this spacer when I try to find an adapter or rig it up to piggyback it. I think that we can make something that resembles the clip.

I am going to call Mazda NA today and see what they say. I know that they probably won't do anything because I have had the car for 5 years now and never complained, but they were working pretty good up to about 1 year ago and now the wrong bulb is melting away the plastic inside the headlight.

Thanks for all the responses I will keep you updated on what they have to offer.

 

[thrasher]

Do you have a single bulb for hi/low or do you have 2 bulbs?

 

[Skeeter]

I have 2 bulbs, but the hook up is for a single bulb.

Do you have a single bulb for hi/low or do you have 2 bulbs?

 

[Skeeter]

The dealer ordered me the adapters and they were 33.00 for both.
Thanks for all of the input...

 

[polish_mikeski]

Try the local junk yard for parts

 

[Demoniam]

$33.00....www.onlinemazdaparts.com sold me those for about $8.00 a piece!

 

[siegersma]

Do you have the part number? I searched and could not find it on there site.

$33.00....www.onlinemazdaparts.com sold me those for about $8.00 a piece!

 

[P-Funk!]

Did you throw away the plug adapter with the old bulb? I almost did - i could not fit the new bulb on the connector - until i looked on the old bulb. Silvania Silverstars[tm] will teach you to get good at doing this difficult task!

 

[Skeeter]

Did you throw away the plug adapter with the old bulb? I almost did - i could not fit the new bulb on the connector - until i looked on the old bulb. Silvania Silverstars[tm] will teach you to get good at doing this difficult task!

Mazda got an adapter the plugged right into the existing plug. So I did not throw the adapter away it is still in there.

 

[Skeeter]

Do you have the part number? I searched and could not find it on there site.

I will have to check on my receipt, which is in my car to see if they put a part # on it.

 

[aMaff]

Glad the problem's solved. I hope you're no longer pissed at the car .

For all of you who are 'confused', the regular sedan (single hi-low beam) headlight is an H4. Mazda decided that instead of redoing the connector, they'd just make an adapter for the P5's headlights that would allow it to work with an H7 in the lo beam slot. That adapter is black, and at first glance looks like it is part of the bulp, so many people throw them out by accident. The reason the H4 fit, is that the adapter was not there.