Hi!

I have a 2006 mazda 3 with a little over 60k miles on it. So far I haven't really had any problems but this one is a bit odd.

When I turn on my side/headlights, all my dash lights (spedometer ect. as well as radio display, a/c control lights ect) get very dim. I've tried the dimmer button and that seems to work fine. It's like the side/headlights are drawing too much power and it's taking away from all the dash lights to the point where the radio display and other lights cannot be read. My battery is fine and there are no other power issues. This only happens when the side/headlights are turned on.

Has anyone else had this problem? Anyone have any ideas on what causes this and/or how to fix it?

Thanks!

 

I have the same issue... we don't know what it is quite yet. I've recently been having issues with my remote.... when i press lock it unlocks and viceversa... we are trying to figure out what is going on.
If anyone knows how to fix my remote problem that would be awesome... its not the remote its the car!

 

Sounds like corrosion and/or a bad ground.
The Mazda ground system is barely adequate when new.

 

Do you have the electroluminescent gauge cluster (red lighting?)
If so, check your owners manual for how it functions. It can be a little confusing at first, but if the dash/background lights are dimmed in normal daylight driving, and this can be done quite by accident, they will be even dimmer when the running lights are turned on.

Set the normal background lighting all the way up using the push button above the instrument cluster. Make sure the dimmer control/rheostat on the LS of the dash board is set to maximum, then turn the lights on and see if the problem persists.

As for the remote, try changing the battery. If that doesn't work, disconnect the cars battery for 1/2 hr and reconnect it. These are two of the methods that have worked well for other people, but their may be others.