I have a problem with my stoplight fuse blowing all the time now. It happened originally a month ago and I changed out the stoplight switch near the brake pedal. It worked until last week and I decided to replace it again. It only worked for 2 days before blowing the fuse again. So there must be a short somewhere. My high mounted brake light has never worked even after changing the bulb. Short of tracing wires, what else should I do?

 

Ok so when you ask for help on a forum please tell the year and exact model of your Mazda...the miles help sometimes.

Not all brake light bulbs and brake light systems are the same.

 

Sorry, got so frustrated looking for the problem. I have a 2006 Mazda3 2.3L. The bulbs look okay and light up when the fuse doesn't blow. The wires to my high mount bulb also seem to be intact.

 

Ok so conventional harness. The good news it’s not the bulb holder or the connector. The bad news is it will require a Digital Volt/ohm meter and a little time to test the connection at the brake light switch . I realize that you
Already changed it but what ever the short is may have damaged your new switch. Also disconnect the connector completely from the third or high mount brake light. While it is disconnected check its continuity. But leave it disconnected even if it test positive until you find the short in the harness.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm just regretting having to contort myself to get underneath to check all the wires at the switch. I'm going to have to remove the drivers seat to get comfortable. It's lucky that i have other cars to drive, but I hate putting miles on the "good" cars until I get this solved.

 

trust me I understand…..

 

Is the car a sedan or hatchback?

 

A sedan

 

Not sure why that was asked????
It does not matter in this case of your issue if it be a sedan or other models.

 

Having just looked at a Mazda 3 sedan I see the high light is mounted in the boot (trunk) so it makes no difference sadan or hatch. They both have a flexing wire connection from the body to the light. I have seen this design have breakages in the wiring and may be a possible area for a short to occur. I would doubt that the switch is the issue with what I see is all plastic and yes I do appreciate the problem getting to it. This looks like the need for a multimeter and time to track down the cause.