Hi guys! Got a letter through from Mazda/Dvla regarding my Mazda 323f ba today... Its to do with the ignition switch over heating apparently! Just wondered if anyone may of had one of these too?

It reads that they've had an investigation that's highlighted a problem with the ignition switch and that its possible due to an accumulation of grease within the switch it may over heat and start to smoke.

I'm supposed to contact my local Mazda dealer for a free ignition switch upgrade.

Just find I all odd considering the age of my car lol

Hi,

Yes, a number of us have had them (see the "New Recall for BG" thread). I had mine come through yesterday, with a leaflet from the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency. It is genuine.

Apparently it's affecting all BGs, BAs and some BJs. Yes astonishing that they're bothering to recall 20+ year old cars but whilst in one respect I'm not surprised at Mazda's diligence, you just know it's mostly arse-covering in case someone's BA goes up in flames and they get sued. It might also be a legal requirement, though.

S

Good stuff and thanks for the reply! Thought it was a scam... Take it your taking yours in for it to be done?

Yes, I'm not going to turn down free parts replacement

And in any case I always get quite a buzz taking my nearly classic BA back into a Mazda dealership full of modern, boxy, soulless clones

Also, whilst I doubt there's any real danger from this issue; I wonder, if I didn't get it done and there WAS an issue, if the insurance would cover it? Something to think about ...

S

Yeah guess your right lol... Will call them Monday morning

yeah i got mine friday, i think its the only original part left lol

Got mine today. My question is though, what part exactly are they going to change? because the barrel has to match the key no? so do they replace it and give you a new key, which means you would have two keys?

I have spoken to my local Mazda dealer and its not the barrel which is the issue it is the switch itself so you won't be needing a new key

I shall be needing at least two switches

Gotta say, I'm massively impressed that we still get proper support from Mazda despite it being 18 years since the last F rolled of the line!

According to the EPC the pic below features the switch which is part number 66-155.

Looking at that though it would suggest it's actually part of the barrel, so I'll do a bit more digging

I've also had the letter - however, I think the chat I had with somebody at my local Mazda garage is worth sharing.

So I phoned them and explained the situ with my car......track car, off the road, used 5/6 times a year, loads of mods etc. From this I expected their reaction to lean towards the negative side expecting a response of something like 'sorry sir we can only change them on standard cars' or something like that.

BUT - they we're completely the opposite! Told me that even with all the above points they would change it no problem but might need my steer with the extra wiring around the ignition for the switch panel I have in. The guy even said he was looking forward to seeing it as he never see's them anymore and all the techys in service loved them........might pop down in it even if i dont get the barrel changed haha.

Got mine booked in to get done after receiving the letter over the weekend. Bloke at Mazda Romford said it was the ignition switch and not the barrel. From what I can see it sits on the other side of the column from the barrel, this bit I think?

http://www.yauyoung.com.tw/en/2-1116-16 ... 75045.html

They said it'd take about 20mins. Might as well get it done, tis free after all

I've got a safety recall notification, but it's for the airbag in the rx-8. It's currently untaxed/uninsured and off the road at the moment, so it'll have to wait.

[quote="Dark_Jon"]Got mine booked in to get done after receiving the letter over the weekend. Bloke at Mazda Romford said it was the ignition switch and not the barrel. From what I can see it sits on the other side of the column from the barrel, this bit I think?

http://www.yauyoung.com.tw/en/2-1116-16 ... 75045.html

They said it'd take about 20mins. Might as well get it done, tis free after all [/quote]

Yea that's the part. My donor car came without it (maybe it started smoking?) so I had to replace it. After you take the plastic cowl off the column it's one (or two) screws, a clip and a wiring harness. The round part slots into the end of the ignition barrel and rotates to contact different copper pads inside, I guess telling the ecu what position the key is in. Don't think there's much current going though it.

Took the new one apart cos I can't help myself and the grease was pretty solid. Cleaned up and used new grease. Think that's all the issue is. Lack of grease after 20+ years leading to corroded contacts and sparking/increased resistance.

[quote="properbowen"] Don't think there's much current going though it..[/quote]

You will be surprised if you measure the current that goes trough the key switch!

I was gonna say that

Had one for the V6, actually given to me by the previous owner, gonna get it done but now Meanie is not legal on the road I'm wondering if they'll let me have the part to fit myself?

Also got one for the donor silver car, there is NO WAY I'm getting that to a dealer

I initially received a letter to my current address (that i moved into in 2013) from Mazda for my old KLZE donor MX-6 that was destroyed as far as i knew back in 2009 when i sold it to a breakers. Does that mean the car is technically not registered as destroyed? It was strangely listed as a Mazda 626???
I subsequently received a recall for my latest R reg 323f V6 to my home and my parents home that i previously lived at, but i never had my current 323 registered there only my old grey 323f, donor white 323f and donor MX-6...???

I explained that my car had been off the road for 3 years and I hope to have it ready next year. They said it's fine and will wait for it to be ready, no rush as it had taken them 20 years to send the recall out!

That's good news for Meanie

I'm really pleased that Mazda has recalled a car of this age

Unfortunetly in Portugal there was no communication to the owners. Us, portuguese owners are now contacting Mazda Portugal and Mazda Europe to know why.

By the way are there owners from other countries that were recalled as well?