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Comments
Steve.
Somebody ask the Dealer shop about a power Flush under the warranty for tranny problems....
Tj
Tj
about the reliability. My '86 B2000 was probably one of the best vehicles I've ever owned. Of course this was before Ford got heavily involved with Mazda (I've owned Fords and I wasn't impressed with the quality or reliability of the product). Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the engine in the MPV's a Ford engine? Another question...where are the MPV's assembled? The transmission issue has me somewhat concerned, but it seems that Mazda is aware of the problem and is seriously trying to resolve it. Because I usually keep my vehicles until the wheels fall off (current vehicle 12 yrs., 140K miles) reliability is very important to me. Any comments/suggestions is greatly appreciated.
Honda Ody owners were singing highly about their vans until transmission problems and sliding doors issues came along.
Why would you want to buy a van with a transmission issue? Every time your van shifts hard you will wonder about your decision.
I would wait and see. More miles on these vans might bring out other problems.
The engine is imported to Japan for installation there.
-Brian
As for the rotten egg smell. I am not concerned about it. My husband is not concerned about it. It comes and goes. We also don't smell it when we are driving it's only when we shut the car off and only once in a while.
These are machines that are bound to have "quirks" and so far I'm pleased with my MPV and happy I bought it. I would buy another in a heart beat.
Leslie
Leslie
Tj
Steve, Host
Steve, Host
Bottogers:(good one) It is all relative.. (snicker)
Tj
The reason it doesn't happen to all transmissions all the time is that it's probably caused by a very subtle combination of events. There aint gonna be a sequence of code that says "disengage 2nd, wait 0.5 secs, engage 3rd". Something as subtle as a slight difference in an operating temperature, allied to a different aggression level on the throttle, allied to some component being at the margin of tolerance, etc. etc.
I did some work on engine management systems back in the 80s. They were pigs to debug then and I don't suppose they (or their tranny counterparts) have got any simpler.
Steve.
between (speedometer) 20 - 30 miles in
2000 - 2500 rpm
It is not all the time. Just about once or twice a day.
The tranny in my MPV shifts hard once in a while too. Sometimes when it's cold and I haven't given it a chance to warm up. Too me that's like jumping into a car with a 5 speed when it's 28 degrees outside and you don't give the car a little time to warm up. It's hard to move the stick from one gear to the next. There is also one particular street that I drive on and it has a steep incline when you first pull onto it. I consider it a quirk. I haven't taken it to the dealership yet because I honestly don't feel it's a major issue. I'm not saying it's not going in, but again, I don't see it as a major "down the road" problem.
I'd still buy another MPV and actually my husband and I have considered buying one for him. The down side to that is, he really needs a car with excellent gas mileage. He's looking at the Prius.
Those of you who have the problem can try doing what I've been doing for several weeks. First I now recognise the times when I'm more at risk for the problem: later in the day after several trips; following a freeway run; stop/start driving. Then if I feel the revs suddenly climb as the shift starts, I ease right back off the throttle so the revs drop down and the shift is done relatively smoothly. It's getting pretty close to being an automatic reaction, which is kind of sad (and not meant to be a pun).
I'm going to start floating the idea with my dealer of an extended warrenty on the transmission.
Steve.
Steve: yeah, 20 years ago software simulators were primitive. Today you can quickly simulate a wide range of parameters to test system software... It would be interesting to run an contamination test on the tranny oil.
Tj
Mark. : )
Tom, I have a very strong feeling that Mazda will have checked for contamination a long time ago. That would have saved them a lot of money. I saw the invoice for reflashing the TCM and changing the Control Valve Body Assembly; it came to just over $2000, most of which was the CVBA cost. You can flush a lot of trannies for that. FWIW, I write automated test software for a living...
Steve.
Steve.
Steve.
Steve.
I've got a whopping 17K miles on my 8 month old MPV. I'm still getting 19.5 mpg and about 24 on the freeway. Really not much diff. than my old 3.3 95 DC...darn!
Fog lights/switch: Any reason why they don't put an amber light on the dash switch when you have the fogs on? Seems they have little lights for AC, Rear Window, Ventilation, etc. but sure would make sense to have a light on when THEY are on! You only need them when it's foggy or drizzle, etc. I forget mine are on many times and it just is another draw on the battery and the bulbs themselves...do the '04's have this added?
I will take it in to be looked at so that when we start towing our camper, we will be all set. Out of all of the cars/vans I have owned, this is by far the best. The MPG could be a little better but I'm not doing any worse then when I had my Mercury Villager.
Leslie
Regarding tranny Flush; You cannot assume that the factory tested every tranny for contamnation that came off the line..
If my MPV had a shift problem, I would have a serious discussion with the shop manager regarding a tranny flush... Clutch plate break in could cause the contamnation. Still say it is a mechanical problem. Software usually won't cause that wide range of symptoms.
My Mpv gets 21/26 mpg and runs perfectly....
14 mpg; Gezzzz, sounds like there is an issue with the fuel/air system.
Don't rely on the computer for finding the problem. Automotive computers are extremely dumb, about the same level as a "smart" house thermostat...
You say it's mechanical; I'm with Mazda and think it's software. And it's not really a wide range of symptoms, just a specific shift problem. If you weren't so far away, I'd suggest we bet a couple of beers on it.
My mpg has improved slightly since new, but I think the break-in is being offset by the cooling down as we approach the MN winter. The switch to winter gas never helps.
Steve.
I'd like to know from dealer or anybody who got the 04 NA model, if it in fact has these 2nd row seats foldable like the JDM model?
And here is a high res photo of the two models.
BTW, I have an extended warranty on the van and take it to the dealership so that everything can be documented. Mazda has put the fear of God in me that if I need to use the extended warranty for something and can't prove regular maintenance than my warranty is voided.
Thanks,
Heather