Does the Moss boot light only come on when the driving lights are on or will it come on whenever the lid is opened irespective of the running lights ? (1/00)
It takes it's feed directly from the battery so comes on at any time. The switch is a piece of cheap cr*p, though. Worth finding a stronger one from a breakers. (1/00)
It connects to direct to the battery (through a fuse). They're dead simple to fit, I did mine in about 30 mins on boxing day - well worth it. (1/00)
Can anyone out there tell me the best place to position a courtesy light switch so I can fit a light in the boot. I'm concerned if I simply drill into one of the channels it will let in water. Originally was going to put it at the bottom above the number plate but it appears to be double skin. Has anyone fitted the switch so it's activated by the hinges? (2/01)
Drilling holes in my body work didn't appeal to me either. I used a rocker switch mounted inside, but you run the risk of forgetting to switch it off. A timing circuit to switch the light off after 5 mins could help here. A mercury switch mounted on the boot lid would also work, but may allow light to come on during hard braking, parking on steep hills etc. Would be best to use an insensitive one which doesn't activate until 45 deg say. Does one exist? This is one of those little jobs in my 'pending' tray, may have a look into it next month. (2/01)
As far as my kit car building memory goes, a trip to the scrapyard to find a Mk2 Fiesta XR2 should locate a mercury switch on the tailgate. Activation will depend on the angle at which you mount it - should be easy enough to sort. (2/01)
My Clifford alarm had a tilt switch stuck to underside of boot .. and so with appropriate diodes it does the boot light too ... of the boot light kit I only used the light bracket .. and would have thrown that out too .. the weight over comes the boot springs :-( A couple of suitable tilt switches in Maplin for this.. (2/01)
My car (UK '95 1.8iS) came with the switch, so opening the boot turns on the cabin courtesy lights!I ASSUME it was factory fitted, but who knows? I had Mazda fit a boot light which they wired to the existing switch. They did an OK job, but used a PIG ugly light; it looks like something from an A-reg Transit! So if anyone can suggest a cheap tasteful replacement, then I too would be grateful! (2/01)
My car came with a switch under the hood. Every time I pull the lever to open the hood, interior light comes on. Does any other MK2 work this way or was mine a guinea pig for Mazda. Extra annoying feature, if the car lights are on the buzzer go nuts even with both doors closed as it considers the hood for a third door. Is this normal? (2/01)
I have one there and one in the boot but neither interact with the interior light. Both were put on for the alarm and feed that direct. Is it possible the alarm company did your switches but choose to pick up off teh lighting circuit, to tip the current drain feature, rather than run a seperate circuit for door opening etc.... (2/01)
That sounds reasonable. Still means that my boot is not protected, as no switch there. I keep thinking of trying that remote de-activating/overriding mod, as described on Miata net. I guess then my boot would be safer. (2/01)
Thanks for all the messages regarding the positioning of a switch for my boot light (and alarm) Managed to buy a tilt switch from Maplin toaday - cost £5. it is just the right size to fit in the chanel section that forms the boot hinges and appears quite firm with double sided tape. I have fitted it low down on the hinge and it is totally invisible. The rating is 1A so you will need to use a standard automotive relay. It has taken me about half an hour to fix mine up and that includes interfacing it with my alarm via a diode. (2/01)
Just be wary of a mercury tilt switch especially in an alarm install. If you park at the wrong angle on the road, like on a steep hill - honest there are some out there - or drive up/down you could find the light coming on when you least expect it OR if parked causing the alarm to trigger for no apparent reason. Thats why alarm installs tend to use Pin switches. (2/01)
Thanks for the e-m. The Maplin switch appears to be OK it needs a turn of 90 deg before it will operate but I do take your point. I haven't connected mine to the alarm yet - I will have to buy a diode to separate the boot light and alarm trigger circuits so may in the end fit a plunger switch. It is possible that the alarm will work on the voltage drop from the boot light but really I should connect the boot light to the interior light fuse which means hassle - I will experiment with the thing at the week end. My Lotus Elan Sprint had plunger switches connected to the retractable headlamps - they lift via vac and must be switched off when down to prvent the fibre glass igniting. I have fitted two magnetic switches which are used for domestic burglar alarms ( bought from B&Q) and they work great but I dont know how effective the magnets would be in a steel car. (2/01)

I did my original suggestion of adding a courtesy light switch to control the number plate lights and all seems well in Mazda land. The techy bits for those interested:- - A diode was added to the +ve feed to each of the rear no. plate lights, (to stop all lights coming on with the number plate lights). Diodes located behind trim in front of boot, (to rhs of petrol tank). [Involves cutting into existing wiring - not so nice on a new car!] - Courtesy light switch located to rhs of boot latch pointing upwards; has the advantage of being within the weather seal of the boot, and hence doesn't compromise the water-proofness of the boot. - Added a relay bolted to a convenient mounting point found in the battery well. NB. +ve supply taken straight from battery via an in line fuse.

All seems hunky and dory now! - (can't understand though why Mazda promote the number plate lights on a Mk2 as providing illumination for the boot, but don't make them come on by default when the boot opens!) Only disadvantage noticed at the moment is that the switch is a little prone to getting knocked when putting luggage in. Thanks to everyone who replied with suggestions. Needless to say above is not technical advice, and I am in no way qualified to recommend any particular modifications to any wiring, (but it worked for me!) (9/01)
I fitted a boot light to my early mark 1, but instead of switching it, I used a light with a built in mercury tilt switch. All you need is 12 volts. (9/01)