2006 Mazda 3 GT - Lights out on center console, climate control, cig lighter, ashtray

[machx]

Hey all,

I purchased my Mazda 3 used in September 2010, didn't realize it had the light problems till the first night I had it. It was completely out at first, then one day it was a soft glow from one side then never lit up again. I didn't return it or anything because I figured it must have been a simple issue like a bulb, or the after-market head-unit that was in the car.

I checked this thread...
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?47957-Interior-Lighting-Climate-Controls

And I figured it was a bulb issue and it's going to be a bitch to replace the bulbs...

But then I noticed other things from reading and then checking my car.

If you see the picture below, it shows my center console at night with flash, and without flash. You can see what glows and what does not.

http://i.imgur.com/Ol5xp.png (http://imgur.com/Ol5xp)

1. Climate Zone = Never has been lit up
2. Fan = half with a very faint glow
3. Temp = at one time it was moderately light up
4. Never knew it was supposed to to light up till I read that it could/should and saw pictures. I've never seen it light up, however the power will come through it because I successfully use the cigarette lighter to charge various devices (phone, gps, etc)
5. Didn't know there was a light in the ashtray, I just found that today when I pulled it all out and noticed the bulb (I did not test the bulb)

A. The Airbag icon/light shows up and lights up when turning the car on
B. The climate control buttons work and light up
C. The lights for the AT and console light up


Now my question is, is it something else? could there be a severed wire, a bad connection, that perhaps controls all of that? Maybe loose connection, pinched wires, dodgy fuse that is part of that series of electrical?

Or, is it just bad luck and ALL those lights all turned off at once before I got it and I'm in the unfortunate situation where I have to tediously fix all the lights.

In which case? HOW? I've tried to take out the climate control to check it, but it wouldn't budge and I could not see where I could unscrew it? Is there a walk thru on how to do this?

As well as for the cigarette lighter as well.

Thanks everyone for your help. :)

[Souls]

odd, I wish I had some idea to help. I've not had to tear into the hvac console yet in my 3. I know in my old Jetta, the knobs were lit with 1 bulb and clear plastic conduits would transmit the light to the rings and knobs. I have no idea on the 3's though....

here's a link to the workshop manual: http://www.davidgowenlock.co.uk/mazda3/

[sol_searchin]

Reasons like this is why I NEVER buy cars with aftermarket alarms or decks. When it comes to these things with it "half-glowing" your looking for loose connections or severed wires and your culprit is the deck. Bring it to a shop that deals with this stuff and get them to check it out if your unsure, wire hunting is a bitch lol

[yearoftherat]

The aftermarket head unit will have no bearing on how the HVAC operates or lights up. It looks like the bulbs in the HVAC are burnt out and need to be replaced. I recently replaced mine and it took me a few hrs.

[bluemazda3]

PITA bulb

[machx]

Thanks for the help, I did order some bulbs and thinking about doing this this weekend...

I'll let you know how it goes!