What ho one and all,

The A pillar interior trim annoyingly, reflects on the right side of the dashboard, and in daylight, hides the information.

I would like to apply a darker (black?) film to prevent the reflection. I see from the workshop manual, that it is not too difficult to remove, but....




This drawing shows cutting a 'lead wire' at the top of the trim panel. What is this wire / ribbon? Presumably, it is not an electrical cable? Since the trim is clipped into place, what is the purpose of this 'lead wire?' Of course, my car may not have it but I like to be prepared...

Thanks and toodle pip

 

Do you have side air bags? Did you read the complete service information directly related to your specific Mazda and not just look at the pictures? Otherwise, we have no idea the year of your Mazda because you did not post enough information?
If it is air bag keep in mind what you use for material covering the Pillar which could interfere with the operation of the air bag.

 

All valid points and my mistake. Mazda 3 gen 3 2015 BM.

Yes, it has air bags but they are most unlikely to be under a plastic trim. That would fly off and could certainly cause injury. Surely the side bags are under the soft roof lining above the doors. not the A pillar. Additionally, this 'lead wire' seems to be part of the plastic clip and surely, installing an electrical cable onto plastic trim that can be cut is not a good design idea?

Will try to lever a gap and have a look inside.

 

The air bag was a rhetorical question to point out that you did not give your specific Mazda year so some of us have access to such information as ALLData like myself could look exactly the service question answer!
The strap is to secure the pillar during an impact.
If you think a design like this used on many platforms is a BAD design, maybe go to college, get a engineering degree and then study vehicle impact regarding parts and components their use and purpose? Then you come up with a new concept design for pillars? lol

I just cut mine never thought twice about it and then had my pillars Hydro dipped. I did not reinstall the pilar safely (safety being the important word here) wire. But that me! I advise and recommend that DIY should always follow the Factory service manual and ALWAY reinstall any and all SAFETY design parts, systems and equipment and not to modify or decide not to use them.

 

Thanks for your reply. You are right, my knowledge of vehicle impact design is somewhat limited!!! When you say the strap is to secure the pillar, I assume it is the to secure the trim to the pillar? I was just confused as when one sees 'wire' I tend to think electrical.

While my knowledge of this car is limited, I have spent the past two decades doing everything to my previous car. The only times it went to the garage was for the annual MOT, to fill up and when I had a major high pressure pump issue, only to learn that Fraud quoted me to change everything (pump, injectors, all fuel lines, manifold and fuel tank.) I did it myself and cleaned everything that needed cleaning. Had another 100k before I sold it recently, and still going strong.

 

The technology change drastically from 1995 to present. That is not to say the period from 1980 to 1995 was not much different. I even can say in the last week referring service and actual fact-based information from vehcle from 1950 DIY all seem to think if they have a tool selection, they can work on anything pre-2000. Yet at least 1/4 the service car we get in the shop every year are those older vehicle and often worked on by the owner.
Anyway without me going off on another rant about self proclaimed experienced DUY , my suggestion is taking more time when choosing a service shop even the Dealership.
Ask them "DO YOU HAVE A CURNETLY CERTIFIDE AUTOMOTICE MECHANIC OR BETTER AUTOPMOTIVE DIGNOSTIC TECHNICAM" ? If the answer is "why" or that we don't have one but we have experienced mechanics, then find another service shop. You cant self learn to work on a vehcle usefully without doing a lot of guessing regarding new vehicles that are first OBDII or CANbus and manufactured from 2000 to present. Anit happening! You can read this all the time when someone post the changing of various parts that did not solve the issue or not doing anywhere close to a proper ECU scan.

As for another one-sided story about what a shop in your or other's opinion under the claim of fraud or recommending parts that they felt were not needed, I seldom get them to post the estimates and or basic diagnostic evaluations. And when they do, I would guess it is about 60/40 that 60% of the time the member was not correct about what the shop actually advised or recommended. I know because I have had my own customers claim the same thing from time to time and then I ask them to re-read the work order estimate again. My write up are never less than a paragraph of explanation and I always ask them if they understand that work order and if they have any questions. I also suggest that if they feel my estimate was incorrect or too high to please take it to another shop and ask them if they can do a better price and guarantee the full service was correctly done?

As for the often-claimed 100k miles with no issues and the DIY did all the semi nontechnical servicing this only means to mean that they should have said something more accurate like "Added 100k+ , and still going strong with no problem that I am aware of!"

As for your observation if it were an ire then it would lead to something other than a possible ground and a ground connected to a plastic part, auh well that does not work now does it?


BTW I am only a DIY on one thread and only having to do with my own Mazda. And even then, I am not sure it would be accurate to actually consider me a DIY. lol

 

Wow, interesting comments. Fraud was the previous forum posters name of Ford!!! When I first had the Ford, had to make a very small warranty paintwork claim, that they argued about, only because in the previous warranty services, they were supposed to, but had not, stamp the bodywork section. No stamp, no claim; but they did do the work eventuality.

However, while there, they also checked a couple of other bits and bobs and gave me a quote. One item was to re-aim the windscreen washer jets, quoting me £40 (and that was 20 years ago!!) Fraud is absolutely correct.

 

LOL I think if my name was Fraud and being a business owner that I am would change my name. rolmao.
Although it is kind of unique for something like performance camshafts. I have had them attempted and failed to copy and call them mine. But having a camshaft named It is authentic FRAUD would be kind of catchy and remembered. LOL