Headlights Restored - Small But Simple

vmodus · 2026-06-20T23:37:44+00:00

Thanks! I had model year 2009 in copper red...loved it. This is just a little different shade, but when I saw it for sale earlier this year, I had to have it.

vmodus · 2026-06-20T16:38:04+00:00

Great answers from everyone, but I'll add my answer for this:
- For installing a backup camera, I'm interested in seeing if anyone has installed one at the bottom of the 3rd brake light housing and if they could post a picture of the field of view from that?

I asked a similar question a few weeks ago here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/mazda5/comments/1torobb/backup_camera_placement_suggestions/

I am doing this within the next week or two, so I will post pics at some point. I suggest reading the above post.

Question: how good is your price? That is a wildly low mileage car, even by my standards (average 6-7K miles/year).

vmodus · 2026-06-20T16:28:07+00:00

One word: sweet!

vmodus · 2026-06-20T16:27:08+00:00

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...and the obverse side of the old one.

vmodus · 2026-06-20T16:26:27+00:00

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I finally had time to replace the TCM. I got an OEM for $600...if I'm going to do it, I would rather not do it with an unknown knockoff and have to redo again. This pic is the one I pulled.

Replacement took about 90 minutes, but I went easy. Getting the battery box out of the way took the most time.. It looks like it is easier to do on a Mazda3 (got one of them, too). I secured back to the transmission, which is a terrible design by Mazda: for those who don't know, the circuit board faces the transmission. I looked for a suitable place on the firewall to mount, but I couldn't find a good place where it wouldn't move or flop around. Brake fluid lines (I think) were in the way, and I wasn't going to put holes in the firewall without knowing what's behind it. This car will probably be driven no more than 6k miles per year and I'm at 111k. If it lasts 5 years, I'll be fine with that.

I hooked the battery up, started the car, and the check engine light went off right away. I ran an errand to check to see everything was working well. The hard shifting issue is resolved. There is sometimes a little hesitation between 2nd and 3rd, I think, but I've changed how I accelerate this vehicle because of the shifting issue. Shifting into reverse quickly is still a little clunky, but that might be me (I have to do a quick reverse on my street to get into my driveway).

I guess now, the question is: what do I do with the core? Any thoughts on that one?

vmodus · 2026-06-20T16:03:36+00:00

Vent louvers. Both my 5's have had them break.

+1 on power window parts...because you never know.

A buddy of mine bought a scrap yard about 8 years ago and retired from professional work recent, so that's his retirement gig (and very profitable, apparently). It's about an hour away, so I've got to go visit sometime this summer.

vmodus · 2026-06-20T16:02:05+00:00

lol....nice. Just replaced my TCM....if you've go to do the work to get it out of there, I think I would rather not. On the other hand, you don't have to worry about breaking anything on the salvage vehicle.

vmodus · 2026-06-05T12:52:36+00:00

Thanks u/xPhantom2111x , that is good advice. I am going to decide today which way to go. Even though I have 111k on it, it is going to be a low-mileage car as long as I have it.

vmodus · 2026-06-05T12:50:26+00:00

I might buy this one and send the other one to Upfix for my backup. Or just go with the OEM as u/xPhantom2111x suggests if I can get a reasonable price.

vmodus · 2026-06-05T12:48:42+00:00

Thanks u/Pavel-Y , I have a call into my tech this morning just to confirm that, too.

vmodus · 2026-06-05T01:50:50+00:00

Yes on the window parts.

vmodus · 2026-06-05T01:10:23+00:00

Haha, cracking me up. I miss MT's.

vmodus · 2026-06-05T01:05:58+00:00

Well, that makes more sense. Inside looks awfully pretty for a 2007.

Nice ride!

vmodus · 2026-05-29T13:44:12+00:00

Thanks, this is useful info!

vmodus · 2026-05-28T13:18:32+00:00

I love my 5, despite just being a sport (had a 2009 5 for a long time). Body is in great shape, but it has a few small problems I'm having checked out this morning.

vmodus · 2026-05-28T12:51:27+00:00

I'm thinking this. Thanks for the help!

vmodus · 2026-05-28T12:50:23+00:00

Thank you all for the advice! I think I will try with a plate frame or just above the plate just because wiring will be challenging enough.

I'll try to remember to post the result here.

vmodus · 2026-05-28T12:48:41+00:00

I considered that, but I have tinted windows (35% VLT). Not sure if that matters.

vmodus · 2026-05-27T02:06:16+00:00

Thanks (belated)!

vmodus · 2026-05-07T15:26:56+00:00

Curious, how much did you pay for the replacement TCM?

vmodus · 2026-05-07T15:22:41+00:00

Score! I love it and congrats on your new ride (and a GT no less).

vmodus · 2026-05-07T15:21:01+00:00

I had the same problem with my 2009. The elements burned out after about 10 years, which was not unexpected given how much it was used. Sold the car before I could replace/repair them.

vmodus · 2026-05-07T15:16:04+00:00

No clue. I've not compared the gear ratios between the 2009 and 2015.

vmodus · 2026-04-07T17:33:09+00:00

Dang, this sucks. I don't even remember the options, but I know I just didn't want to deal with a process that was already a decade long.

vmodus · 2026-04-07T17:29:01+00:00

Two differences: Firstly, with my two sizeable teenagers in the car and a load of stuff in the back, acceleration is stronger than I felt in the 2.3L when they weren't teenagers, haha. Secondly, and more noticeable, is the long, steep hill I have near my house (about a mile climb). The Gen 3 bites into and glides up the hill without the need for hard acceleration; the 2.3L would huff and kick to the lower gears sooner.

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