Sup guys need some help maybe some else had this problem...
I have an 04 Mazda 3 the issue I'm having is my running lights, dash lights are not working when I hit the switch I hear a click like a relay sound but nothing turns on, the headlights and everything else works fine, some times ill get the lights to flicker but they never stay on, I checked the fuses they are all good also bought a head light switch but I'm still having the same problem....checked all the wires to see is I have a short but everything seems fine. I work on cars so I have some knowledge of what to look for but I cant figure this one out. I did search but couldn't fine anything on this other than check your fuses... I also bypass the light and they do turn on so they do work, it looks like there is no power going to the switch. thanks in advance..

 

bet its corrosion in the passenger junction box (PJB).. possibly the relay is dying / dead

Have a look at http://www.mazda3club.com/showthread.php?t=56013
sounds like a similar issue.

 

s-trim or i-trim?

If it's the s-trim then there's an extra button between the speedometer and tachometer which flips the backlight between day and night mode (with the headlights on), and toggles the backlight brightness (with the headlights off). Also with the headlights on the dimmer dial to the left will adjust the brightness of all the dash lights.

If it's the i-trim (I don't have one so I'm shooting in the dark a bit..... pun intended) I believe the backlight only turns on with the headlights on and is then dimmable via the dimmer dial to the left.

 

^^ Not saying that's your problem but it would certainly be the easy thing to rule out.

Also have you checked the room fuse?

 

i believe i have the I trim cause my lights never came on by them selfs when it gets dark out...
one thing i notice is i hear the realy click when i hit the switch so can the realy still be bad?

 

If you have the 2.0 L engine then you have the i-trim. 2.3L (or 2.5 in the new models) is the 2-trim.

I'm not sure if the relay will still click if it's broken. An easy way to check would be to look around for another similar relay and switch them.

 

I'm having a similar problem in my '04. With the headlights on: Dash lights dim, console lights come on, rear running lights turn on. However, intermittently, headlights will stay on, but all other features return to "day mode". Furthermore, when it's acting up and I open the door with the headlights on, the reminder chime doesn't sound.
When it happens, 7 out of 10 times a slap on the side of the console fixes it temporarily, making me think it could be a loose connection?
PJB seems to be clean, so I'm stumped on this one...