2013 Mazda 3 Manual Trans. Headlights Bright/Dim when Slowing
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From: United States
2013 Mazda 3 Manual Trans. Headlights Bright/Dim when Slowing
2013 Mazda 3 Skyactive Manual Transmission
I've had an odd problem come up. The car just passed 50,000 miles.
Recently, when I decelerate with the clutch engaged (engine braking), my headlights go through several cycles of becoming dimmer and brighter, before returning to normal. The dimming-brightening cycles occur at intervals of around 1 second... perhaps a bit less.
This happens only when slowing down with the clutch engaged. I notice it especially when downshifting into 3rd and 2nd gears. Or it will happen if I remove my foot from the accelerator but without depressing the clutch pedal.
It doesn't occur noticeably in 1st gear (although I would not normally downshift to 1st gear, I've done some tests, just to see if the same thing happened.) And I've not noticed it when downshifting into 5th or 4th gears, although it might(
)
I don't know if this is actually a problem or not. By itself, it's not... but might relate to some other underlying issue. I didn't want to drop it off at a dealer, in case they aren't familiar with the problem, to go on a "hunting" expedition. I was hoping I'd have some idea of what the problem is first. Any ideas?
I've had an odd problem come up. The car just passed 50,000 miles.
Recently, when I decelerate with the clutch engaged (engine braking), my headlights go through several cycles of becoming dimmer and brighter, before returning to normal. The dimming-brightening cycles occur at intervals of around 1 second... perhaps a bit less.
This happens only when slowing down with the clutch engaged. I notice it especially when downshifting into 3rd and 2nd gears. Or it will happen if I remove my foot from the accelerator but without depressing the clutch pedal.
It doesn't occur noticeably in 1st gear (although I would not normally downshift to 1st gear, I've done some tests, just to see if the same thing happened.) And I've not noticed it when downshifting into 5th or 4th gears, although it might(
) I don't know if this is actually a problem or not. By itself, it's not... but might relate to some other underlying issue. I didn't want to drop it off at a dealer, in case they aren't familiar with the problem, to go on a "hunting" expedition. I was hoping I'd have some idea of what the problem is first. Any ideas?
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Surrey
2013 Mazda 3 Skyactive Manual Transmission
I've had an odd problem come up. The car just passed 50,000 miles.
Recently, when I decelerate with the clutch engaged (engine braking), my headlights go through several cycles of becoming dimmer and brighter, before returning to normal. The dimming-brightening cycles occur at intervals of around 1 second... perhaps a bit less.
This happens only when slowing down with the clutch engaged. I notice it especially when downshifting into 3rd and 2nd gears. Or it will happen if I remove my foot from the accelerator but without depressing the clutch pedal.
It doesn't occur noticeably in 1st gear (although I would not normally downshift to 1st gear, I've done some tests, just to see if the same thing happened.) And I've not noticed it when downshifting into 5th or 4th gears, although it might()
I don't know if this is actually a problem or not. By itself, it's not... but might relate to some other underlying issue. I didn't want to drop it off at a dealer, in case they aren't familiar with the problem, to go on a "hunting" expedition. I was hoping I'd have some idea of what the problem is first. Any ideas?
I've had an odd problem come up. The car just passed 50,000 miles.
Recently, when I decelerate with the clutch engaged (engine braking), my headlights go through several cycles of becoming dimmer and brighter, before returning to normal. The dimming-brightening cycles occur at intervals of around 1 second... perhaps a bit less.
This happens only when slowing down with the clutch engaged. I notice it especially when downshifting into 3rd and 2nd gears. Or it will happen if I remove my foot from the accelerator but without depressing the clutch pedal.
It doesn't occur noticeably in 1st gear (although I would not normally downshift to 1st gear, I've done some tests, just to see if the same thing happened.) And I've not noticed it when downshifting into 5th or 4th gears, although it might(
)I don't know if this is actually a problem or not. By itself, it's not... but might relate to some other underlying issue. I didn't want to drop it off at a dealer, in case they aren't familiar with the problem, to go on a "hunting" expedition. I was hoping I'd have some idea of what the problem is first. Any ideas?
Last edited by Mack9112112; Feb 6, 2017 at 01:51 PM.
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
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From: United States
Thanks for the recommendation. I just remembered today that I hadn't replied.
The fix you suggested worked! I took my car for a software upgrade, and the problem vanished immediately! The engine seems to run better as well. (Guess I was overdue).
Exactly right... it didn't happen when i was braking, but when I was slowing down with the clutch engaged. All good now.
The fix you suggested worked! I took my car for a software upgrade, and the problem vanished immediately! The engine seems to run better as well. (Guess I was overdue).
Exactly right... it didn't happen when i was braking, but when I was slowing down with the clutch engaged. All good now.
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 32
From: Queensland Australia
Glad we could help out.
Its amazing the number of minor issues that get fixed by regular software updates.
People are always updating software on their Phones & PC's, but they forget about their poor cars.
Its amazing the number of minor issues that get fixed by regular software updates.
People are always updating software on their Phones & PC's, but they forget about their poor cars.
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