Mazda3 Maintenance & Repair

z71bill

Although I agree with much of your post - I really don't think Mazda has a warehouse full of AC components that they need to use up - most car companies work on a just in time inventory model - the parts get delivered just before they are needed.

Sometimes the real reason is so simple we ignore the obvious.

IMO the reason Mazda is NOT FIXING the weak defective AC system is because it will cost them MONEY. They have analyzed it - and the cost to fix it is greater than the benefit (to Mazda). In other words it would reduce their profit.

When a company like Toyota or Honda has a quality problem they have MUCH more at risk - they have a reputation to protect - that brand equity is worth BILLIONS and BILLIONS of dollars (or trillions of yen). So when these companies are faced with the same question - should we fix the defect or ignore the problem - the same analysis (that Mazda uses) comes up with a different result. So Toyota and Honda will do the right thing and fix the defect - not just because they are good companies - but because it is also good business to protect their brand.

dride

What would the fix be to replace a poor operating AC unit? What do you think the cost would be for each M3? I agree with you, but Mazda too, has a nice portion of the market, they should try to protect.

z71bill

The fix - IMO - is a larger evaperator - maybe a higher capacity condenser would also be needed - but I don't think so - the compressor is fine - it only runs part of the time - if it was undersized it would never cycle off.

I don't know how much it would cost to fix the AC defect. But the total amount would add up fast. Even $200 per car would add up to 10's of MILLIONS of dollars - & I bet that many of the people who are posting that they have GOOD AC systems would still want Mazda to replace what ever parts are defective - so it would be hard to just fix the ones that are actually bad. Considering the value of Mazda's reputation for producing quality vehicles is only worth about $1.95 (before rebate!) - I really don't see them changing their position on this.

qddave

Just to add to z's estimate, don't forget indirect costs like design/development/validation. I think it was mentioned here before that the vehicle would likely have to be recertified for crashworthiness because the HVAC unit sits in the passenger compartment. There's a ton of work that would need to be done. It's not a mid-cycle refresh where they add side marked lamps and new rims. Mazda just plain "missed the mark" and have no choice but the redesign and repackage the system on the next model.

dufos

Mazda being a part of Ford and Ford losing money I don't think they would want to spend a lot of money to protect there quality image since they don't have any money to invest in a quality image. But again they should start somewhere or Mazda-Ford will never get off the ground and be profitable again. Design and build flash cars with nothing but defects will eventually catch up with any manufacture. GM and Ford are struggling finanically, will they put any money into producing quality cars? Maybe one day but not for many years but in the mean time :sick:
Bottom line do not buy a car from any finanically troubled manufacture, thats a lesson I have learned.
Does anybody know how much of Mazda does Ford own?

shel9

I have a 2004 3 with about 34,000 miles on it. I went to get into my car today and the remote would not work, i had to manually open the door. Started the engine and noticed that the radio and interior lights were not working, but yet my turn signals and exterior light did work. I also noticed that my trip odometer was reset to 0. I drove over 20 miles before the radio worked again. I searched through about 50 pages looking for anyone that had this problem but came up with nothing. Does anyone know of any problems regarding this???

audia8q

I, in no way, think that owners posting on Edmunds are making these issues up.

Read one of the other problem boards and you will see somebody who is suggesting that people call and complain about a specific problem even if they don't have the problem....they feel this will get the mfg to come up with a fix faster.

jerkfries

I got my 3s about two months ago, its got about 2k miles. When its rainy out, or cold out- which is every morning- my brakes squeek at a volume that will wake the neighbors. I took it into the dealer and they replaced my brake pads, we will see if it works. Lately, i have also noticed my seats rattle when hitting any sort of bump on the road. The service guy said something like they are supposed to rattle, its how they were built. Are these common issues or should I be taking this thing back to the dealer. Ive never had a new car with this many issues already.

dride

My brakes squeak so loud in the morning, the kids at the bus stop cover their ears when they see my car coming out of the driveway. They only squeak for the first two or three stops on cold winter mornings. The dealer says this is "typical of owning a mazda" as his protege does the same. There are several posts here about squeaky brakes, they have to do with the large size of the pad and rust that builds up on them. Be glad they put on new pads...I couldn't even get that.

lmp180psu

I have the same squeak noise in the morning that a lot of people seem to be experiencing. I haven't gotten it looked at yet, because it isn't that annoying to me (yet )

Here is a TSB that might help some people with this problem:

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/mazda3/docs/0028.pdf

ggoins

Any TSB on the infamous A/C? probably not....

jerkfries

I've had the same problem with my seat rattling...have you taken it in or just dealt with it?

lmp180psu

There is one, but it is the 'diffuser fix' almost everyone knows about.

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/mazda3/docs/0019.pdf

Not anything ground breaking. I got this done, and it did help a bit. Apparently 05 (I think) and 06 models have this part already installed. My A/C is now acceptable and occassionally gets cold enough I have to turn in down for short periods

dufos

Squeaky brakes, I think it is one of those built in options from Mazda that we did't pay for,
As the seat rattle that is not normal, I have seen this problem come up on other forums.
Google ..Mazda 3 forums.

roger341

While at the auto show here in DC last weekend, I ran into a guy who has an RX8. He said he also had performance problems with the a/c and took it to dealer, who told him there was a fix on it. He called it a booster. He said after it was installed he now has much better cooling performance.

I checked the TSBs on this car (mine is an 04) and didn't find anything on the a/c.

I know this is an old issue, but am wondering if something recent has come out on it.

Thanks

z71bill

I took a copy of the RX-8 TSB to my dealer and ask them if it also would apply to the Mazda3 - they told me that the Mazda3 does not have a booster - so the booster can not be replaced - so the booster is not the problem.

Not sure exactly what a booster does - but it sure sounds like the Mazda3 AC could use one.

khall222

I just bought a Mazda 3 last week, and while talking with the salesman, he told me that Ford owns 31% of Mazda.

lukanen

Correct, Ford and Mazda entered into a capital alliance in 1979 when Ford acquired a 25 percent stake in the Hiroshima-based company. That partnership was further strengthened in 1996 when Ford increased its stake in Mazda to 33.4 percent.

Overall Mazda has been around since ~1931 when it started selling three-wheel trucks for China.

I would advise you not to worry about Mazda getting too close to Ford. Mazda still has separate design,however the Mazda3 is the same chasis as the Volvo V50, and Eurpoean Ford Focus. Now how is that for three cars.

brodie2

My headlights or daily running lights aren't working - fuses are o.k - any suggestions.... going to dealership tomorrow

chacobleu

One of the car mags did a long-term review wrap up on the RX-8 several months ago and in it mentioned the booster. They clearly were convinced it worked. They were just as convinced that it taxed the engine and fuel consumption a bit more.

But if the booster has a switch over and above that of the a/c switch, that would be great.

dufos

Hope the M3 doesn't have a Ford auto tranny.

dufos

Let us know how you make out. No idea, Something else gone wrong with the M3, gee will it ever end? :sick:

widow1

On 2006 Mazda 3s throttle problems have caused the throttle to stick open at a certain RPM level when the driver's foot is not on the accelerator. Mazda's fix has been to replace the throttle with a revamped throttle body. Could be the same problem you're having, brodie 2, with your 2004

dufos

Just been at another Mazda3 forum and someone there had said that their car did not have the diffuser plate but what the dealer did was change the cycle of the compressor to stay on longer, 60 seconds. He said his cycled every 20 to 30 seconds before the change which is a lot longer than mine at 10 to 12 seconds. He said it solved his A/C issue. I asked my dealer if the compressor could be programed to stay on longer and they said no. I asked him for more details. When I know more I will post it here. He is from the Philippines

rinebird

I have a mazda 3 sedan 2004....whining just started AFTER I had steering in for service in Dec 05. noise worse AFTER rain ...in rain.I think it is the brakes?

rinebird

I have a 2004 Mazda 3 sedan.I had AC fixed in Aug 2004(when I complained it July( "It was in my head"). I have had the rear brakes replaced twice..and may other problems.
If you don't c/o the problem they won't fix it.sometimes over and over again.

z71bill

The compressor is controlled (in part) by a temperature sensor located in front of the evaperator. When this sensor hits a set point (I would guess around 32 degrees) it sends a signal to the compressor to shut down. You can not just override this signal and run the compressor longer - because if you force the evaperator below 32 degrees then the condensation that is on the evaperator will FREEZE up - once ice (or frost) starts to form on the evaperator it blocks the air flow - the result is no cooling.

Most auto AC also have a set of sensors that monitor the PSI before and after the compressor -Its easy to find the high side sensor - just follow the small silver tube (that comes out of the firewall) and you will see the pressure differential switch. If it has a reading above its set point it shuts the compressor off.

Its a safety feature - if the temp sensor fails this switch will prevent the system from reaching dangerous PSI.

I have not located the low side pressure switch - but would guess its hidden someplace on the (larger) AC line right before the compressor. If the PSI reading on this switch gets too low - it shuts the compressor off. The main reason it would get a low reading is if you the system is low on refrigerant. If the system gets very low on refrigerant and the compressor keeps running at some point the compressor would be "running dry" - the result would be a burned out compressor.

I think your dealer is right - this is not something Mazda will allow to be adjusted.

Of course - if the temperature sensor was set to shut the compressor off at - say 40 degrees - then a simple program change would allow the compressor to run longer.

rinebird

I have a Mazda 3 sedan 04. I have moisture on my windows ..days after a rain.They have taken the front driver door out and tell me there is no water in the door; yet the window is dry.. until I put it down and up again it comes up wet? anyone have this problem?

lukanen

I have a similiar issue on my 06 M3 GT. Headlights work well on Auto setting (turn on in darker conditions) but the daytime running lights do not turn on?

Also - I thought the M3 radio had the capability of displaying the radio station name/song title? Mine does not. Is this an option you have to turn on?

namiboy

coming out of the vents? i posted that i got 41 and 46 degree air coming out of the vents, is that no good? i want to check it again after i find out what it should be. i will be using a very accurate lasertemp gun by raytek.

jerkfries

pmc, did you ever get this squealing sound fixed? I am having similar problems, and am wondering if thats just how the steering was built. thanks

helatus

I purchased my M3 the end of December and I have the same problem with my brakes. Cold mornings and they squeak extremely loud. Its kinda of annoying, but it does go away after the brakes warm or the rust is scraped off from use a couple times. As for the seats rattling, I think mine does that too. Never really thought of it being a problem though.

helatus

Interesting part about your clock. I have the same issue. It has happened twice now and it seems that if you let the car sit for more than 24 hours, the clock time is off the next time you start the car. It happened to me this morning. I have to pick up my extra car remote in a day or 2 from the dealer and I'll post any info If I find out about this problem.

my car has about 1700 miles on it and Im noticing the exact 2 issues that you posted. The rust and the clock.

dufos

Well as I have posted my vent temp was 51F when checked by the dealer and if you got 41 and 46 than you are doing better than me. Your range seems far apart, the reason? I believe Mazda's specs is 51 to 53F
Of course when doing the vent recheck make sure it is a hot day. You might want to do it in the shade and full sun. Also check the temp at the middle and rear of the car. Mazda checks it in their shaded garage out of the sun so not really reflective in the real world.
My M3 is an 05 what year is yours?

namiboy

its an 05 built in may 05. i dont drive it that much its my wifes car although i talked her into buying it. i got 41 with recirc and 46 with outside air. i'm gonna check it again. i'll post when i do. i live down in south florida and its been kinda cool, around mid 70's lately so i may wait a little bit.

rdrr

From another message board. This reply is from a owner living in the Philippines. He had his car reprogramed to have the A/C to cycle longer.
"ECU program. I was made a guinea pig though, they asked me if they could try the new program settings on my car...so I said OK. They did say it's a recommendation of the Mazda plant that is located just south of the metro over here...the engineers there actually read our local forum over here.
You can actually feel the compressor...and it will begin to be colder when it's running. Then it shuts off...and only the fan is working. Nowadays, it works a lot longer before it shuts off, so it's really cold in the cabin and a lot quicker now then before."

ncmazda

Hi, folks. I'm here to ask if anyone has ever heard of a small animal (i.e., rat or squirrel) chewing through the belt that connects the windshield wipers and its motor? My wipers died yesterday, and I thought it was the motor, but the dealership said that something had chewed the belt and wires and they had to all be replaced. Of course, this isn't covered under warranty and that makes me furious because I'm broke! Is this a common thing, or am I getting screwed around at the dealership?

Thanks...

audia8q

I don't know about your specific model but every spring we see some Miata's that have mouse damage. (many store the car for the winter). We also had a Volvo recently that kept triggering check engine lights and the standard fix wasn't working. The techs started tearing apart the car only to find hundreds of acorns clogging everything up. They removed an entire wash bucket of acorns. We never did find the squirl. He's still looking for the guy who stole his nuts.

We usually see the most animal damage in the winter..The little creatures are attracted to a warm car.

jmills

Rodents of all kinds are known to gnaw plastic tubing and wires!!
I do not know what the attraction is but this has been documented to occur in buildings and vehicles world wide, so I doubt you are being screwed around by the dealer, but definitely by furry creatures!!

mrblonde49

Hi, folks. I'm here to ask if anyone has ever heard of a small animal (i.e., rat or squirrel) chewing through the belt that connects the windshield wipers and its motor? My wipers died yesterday, and I thought it was the motor, but the dealership said that something had chewed the belt and wires and they had to all be replaced. Of course, this isn't covered under warranty and that makes me furious because I'm broke! Is this a common thing, or am I getting screwed around at the dealership?

Thanks... <<

Happens all the time in cold weather (not to me yet, but I've heard a few stories...). You're probably lucky that it was only the wiper belt...

sandman46

We had dinner with relatives from Philly the other nite and they said some rodents got into their Sante Fe twice in 1 week. Their insurance ended up paying over $800 to fix all the destroyed wires and belts.
I felt bad for them to happen twice in that same week. He said the dealership was dumbfounded when he returned that same week with the same situation.

The Sandman

khall222

Hi - I'm new to the board and a new Mazda3 (2006 5-door, grand touring, just bought 2 weeks ago) owner, and encountered a problem this morning on my way to work. I'm not very knowledgeable about cars, so I thought I would throw it out to you all in case someone may have had the same problem. After I had been driving about 10 or 15 minutes, I all of a sudden lost power in the vehicle. I was still moving, but could get about 20 mph, and when I pressed the accelerator, the car would slow down and sound like it was going to stall. I made it safely to work and called roadside assistance. I'm waiting for a towtruck to arrive now. Any thoughts? I should mention that I'm in the Boston area and we had quite a bit of snow yesterday, and it's probably about 20 degrees here this morning. There was no snow left on the car when I pulled out of the driveway.

Any thoughts you may have would be greatly appreciated.

modock

Don't know about newer cars but it almost sounds like a cloged fuel filter. I'm sure others will ask too is it a stick or an auto. I have had much colder days than that here in Denver and never had any problems with my manual.

khall222

It's an automatic. It's at the dealership now, and running fine. They can't seem to recreate the problem. The service manager said they are contacting Mazda to see if they've had any reports of this type of problem.

Thanks.

brodie2

My car is a 2004 automatic Mazda 3. I have experienced the same problem many times. At the momment my car is also in the dealership - its actually been there since Feb 3rd - they too don't know what is causing the problem - Be persistent and demand they find the problem. Its your safety at risk. :mad:

gabbydog

If you could post the message here while waiting for a tow in Boston, you must have some pretty cool communications stuff onboard, or in person.

khall222

Not at all...I made it to work and was sitting in my office for a few hours waiting for the tow truck to arrive.

5spdgrampy

The gas pedal return spring tension ( for lack of a better phrase ) is too light. Just resting my foot against the pedal causes it to depress. I find that I need to lift my foot constantly. Top of my ankle is sore. I called the dealer, they said; no way to adjust tension. Any ideas?

gabbydog

In my mind, I pictured someone waiting in a blinding snowstorm with a broken car. Maybe I have still memories of being a little kid in Lynn in the 1950s. Living south of the 30th paralell is different.

nifty56

Tell the dealer to start changing parts starting with what they think the part that may cause the problem. In fact if it is 3 or 4 parts that could be the cause tell them to change them all. Your safety is a risk and losing power at highway speed is very dangerous in busy traffic especially when you have a transport right on your [non-permissible content removed] which is what they like to do. In fact there is a gadget they can hook up to the car and while you are driving it can monitor what is going on and if a problem arises it will record it. Hook it up and drive till the problem shows up. Car auto electrical specialist have them why can't the dealer. I get annoyed with most dealers who will always tell you they can't find anything wrong until you bring it in out of warranty and magically they know whats wrong. :mad: