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Mazda MPV: Problems & Solutions
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I have the interface box and software on my laptop to retrieve codes.
If you really can't wait, then look in the owners manual for all the fuses that deal with PCM (Powertrain Control Module) or something similar. Remove those for a half an hour, then put them back in. The 'puter should lose it's memory. But your stereo will not.
Otherwise, just disconnect the negative battery cable for 30 minutes, then reconnect. However, you will need to reprogram the sound system.
Cheers,
TB
I got in on a group buy with the Contour Enthusiasts Group.
Check out his website at http://www.obd-2.com/
I paid under $100 for the deluxe unit and the software.
HTH
TB
I would like to do that fuel economy mod for the next 3 months...
-Dave
Thanks for repeating the info
Fortunately (so far), I haven't experienced any probs. Once you identify the problem, PLEASE post so the rest of us will know.
Thanks and good luck.
I have had the van since February so it's been a bit more than 3 month's. I found it surprising that the heads needed to be cleaned that soon but I guess because it's under a seat in a van where a great deal of dust, etc can collect it is most likely going to have to be done frequently.
Thanks for your suggestions rotarykid and brmuda. Hope this helps you in the future.
Wanted to say thanks to everyone for all the info here to help us research our van purchase. Got a new 2000 ES in March and couldn't be happier. I did take it into the dealer for the first oil change and asked to check about the TSB for the bumper upgrade and he didn't know what I was talking about. Could someone point me in the direction where I can get this info to take back to the dealer to see if my van (Built April 2000) needs the upgrade?
I have noticed some very slight jerkiness in the shifting. Not anything major to worry about--it just seems that it gets held up a little from 3rd to 4th. Question for all you Red Line users--could this be the solution to clear this up?
Thanks,
Mike
Winter Garden, FL
If your traveling with kids there is no telling what could have gotten in to dirty up them heads. We could run a list from Peanut butter to Sour Worms. I have problems keeping the ones in the house working from year to year. Unfortnuately, the VCP is not as inexpensive as the $58 dollar kids VCR in the playroom. Glad you were able to get it working properly without the fight at the dealer.
MSGJVH
Your MPG will vary with the fuel you use. Try to avoid fuel with additives. You may also have to alter your driving habits to suit the MPV. It really likes a light foot. My wife gets 23-25 but we drive mostly highway. One other thing you may want be take notice of, make sure you have the OD button engaged all the time. Generally, it should automatically engage. You will can tell because the dash light will say OD off when the button is pushed. Make sure you do not see the light!.
Good Luck.
MSGJVH
Robin
I still have though, this annoying «clickin'» sound coming from, what seems to me like left, front end. «Sounds» like something loose... Any idea ?
Silver (and still happy) Driver
I installed the rear bumper step plate about 10 months ago. Followed the directions to a "T". About a week ago I noticed two scratches or "rubbing" at the bottom left and right corners of the hatch. It seems as if the edges of the step plate are curling up slightly and rubbing against the hatch door.
I'm not sure what to do about this since I installed it - I doubt the dealer would fix it. I'm considering filing the bumper plate down just a bit to make sure it clears the hatch.
Anyone have any other suggestions???
--java
I have a 2000 LX that has 8000 miles on it and I just noticed the clicking noise. It sounds like it may be coming from my right side. like a bad wheel bearing. It only happens when I have the wheel turned to the right when I enter the garage. I have not had time to schedule it at the dealership. I will post when I find out what it is.
Anyway, you can find the clicking info and bulletin number at post 978. I have 2000 LX too. Last time I parked my van next to a "normal" one I notice not only the left side leans lower (dealer replaced springs but still leans) but also the whole rear sags (less ground clearance).
I found out that the original Yoko's have a treadwear rating of 200 - which gives them an expected lifespan of 50,000 km (35,000 miles). The Yokohama rep I spoke to was willing to cut a deal on new Yokohama tires - we would get 50% off 80% of the list price of the tires, which might save us $20 per tire... We decided that we did not want more shoddy tires, and bought four Pirelli Cinturato 3000's, which have a 135,000 km limited treadwear warranty. Pirelli claims that they are great in snow and rain, which we need in here in Toronto.
We tried to get an independant tire store to do an alignment before we put on the new tires, like the nice lady at Canadian Motor Vehicle Plan agency told us to do, to see if there were alignment problems which led to the premature wear on the tires. The independant store did not have the alignment specs yet, because most vehicles apparently don't need alignments within the first two years.
We had to go to another Mazda dealership to get the alignment (we were a little upset with the first dealership). Turns out that there was a significant alignment problem. The tires were probably incorrectly balanced as well. In addition, Mazda changed the tire specs midway through the production of the vehicle from 92S to 94S. We're going to talk to the District rep to see if we can get some money back for the new tires. We spent almost $600 Canadian for the alignment and the tires. This has shaken our faith in Mazda. Putting such shoddy tires on an otherwise great van is saving money in a stupid way. The alignment problem was probably a factory defect, although we did not get the pulling some people mentioned. We'll keep you posted on whether Mazda or Yokohama help us out in any way.
I called AAA and got towed to a reliable Good year repair place I have dealt with before that's not far from where the car stops. The guy says the gasket on the oil filter is blown and no oil in the engine. And plenty of oil all over the underside of the engine and the bottom of the bumper. He adds oil and a new filter. He calls me and says I should take the van to a Mazda dealer ASAP-he doesn't know this particular engine very well. I drove it a mile and started to hear the clanking sound. Left it in the parking lot of the hotel we were staying in (in process of moving to Martinsburg, WV)and called AAA again to tow it in the morning to Mazda dealer in Hagerstown, MD (nearest Mazda dealer).
After they check it out they say the rods are bad and engine has to be replaced. $5,000.00!!! I called press Lube and they say it's a design flaw in 2.5 six cylinder-also shared by Contour/Mystique/Escape/Tribute. Something about an oil pressure relief valve sticking.
Long story short-Xpress Lube say it's a known design issue and Mazda should cover it under warranty and Mazda says there is no recall, tech bulletin or anything else that indicates a known issue. The service manager at the Mazda dealer says (off the record) that he's heard of a handful of other cases like this where the same problem existed and created the same result.
I even tried going up a level in Mazda service and the District Service Advisor basically didnt want to hear anything after "Xpress Lube did an oil change on it".
So now Xpress Lube says they wont pay and Mazda says it's not covered under warranty. I had to go $5600.00 out of pocket to get a 1 year old vehicle back on the road. I have to go to court to try to get my money back. I have spoken to 5 different lawyers who tell me the same thing-I'm not likely to get all my money back, if any. I have to find an "expert", they tell me, who will testify what damaged the engine. I cant find 1 expert who will commit to saying what caused the damage so what the hell do I do now?
Signed-cashless in WV
I have heard of this happening before, but every time it seems to be with a Jiffy-Xpress-Penzoil-Econolube type outfit. Have they ever changed your filter before?
Has anyone heard of this happening with the factory filter? I am very curious to see what comes of your dealings.
This is such a sad story, and I feel for you plusone. Who do you go after? I'd say that the Xpress-lube place is at fault if they cannot produce documentation that this situation is known by Mazda, but you could go after the manufacturer of the filter itself. It looks like a tough battle, so good luck. Hopefully you still have the engine AND suspect filter, right?
--javadoc
FYI, I haven't been to see UPS yet, I'll try tomorrow.
Plusone: Also, I haven't seen/heard of any TSB about this filter problem from my friend at the service center. Doesn't mean there isn't one tho. I'm just thinking that little filter could be worth its weight in gold.
Not worried about the package. I'm too busy enjoying the midnight sun! :-)
--java
I don't know what to think. On one hand if you change your own oil you know what you are installing and how tight, but then you are assuming all responsibility. On the other if they change it you may have someplace to turn but at what cost and aggravation? I have done the last two changes. The last filter I installed was a K&N. I was really impressed with its quality. The thing is made like they use on race cars. I know its expensive but it certainly didn't cost $5,000.
I think I will continue to do my own and ensuring that puppy is on very tight. One thing those shops don't see are the owners manual. I believe in the manual it tells you to tighten it another full turn vs the normal 1/4 turn with a wrench even! So why would Mazda put that in the manual if they didn't know about a pressure problem? In the future everyone would be wise to make sure the shop tech knows to tighten the filter per the owners manual.
As for me its K&N from now on and forever!
MSGJVH
I have heard about oil starvation in long sweeping RH curves with the engine at 6K RPMs.
But I doubt many of us MPV'ers will see that scenario.
I wonder if "Iffy Lube" put the right filter on. Heck, they may only have the earlier MPV's listed and so they slap on the filter for one of those thinking it is the same thing.
I'd check the part number on the filter then see if it cross lists to the Motorcraft FL820S unit.
If not, then "IFFY LUBE" probably porked the pooch on this one.
On the other hand, there are occasional bad filters.
I'll stick with the Motorcraft filters. Saving $2 on a filter is not worth the aggrivation of these type of situations.
Cheers,
TB
Sitting at 97xx miles on the MPV anticipating the next oil change at 10K.
OBTW, I had the Contour SVT up to 145MPH indicated this weekend, just for fun. No oil starvation problems.
Msgjvh: Just out of curiousity, is the new K&N filter a replaceable-element type (ala Wix filters) or did it just seem of extremily high quality. I've enjoyed the quality of their air filters for years, and didn't check out their oil filters.
--javadoc
It will cost you about $10 bucks us. But after reading the previous post its well worth it. Maybe I can buy a case at a reduced price!
MSGJVH
BTW, when will we see a K&N air filter on the shelves?
I asked how many miles on the van because the Yoko tires are getting bald. Only 15000 miles!!!
http://contour.org/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=007363
TB
I would like to think that I made an intelligent educated choice when I picked the K&N, however that wasn't the case. I was looking for the air filter and Kragen had the oil filters next to their stock of air filters. It was just a lucky find, specially after reading your link. I think I will buy some stock in K&N. Does anyone know the symbol?
Anyways, its K&N from now and forever for me. Plus, I justified a new wrench to the wifey!
MSGJVH
This is my first post on site -
We recently bought a 2001 Mazda MPV LX, and we
just love it. Have had it about 2 weeks or so.
This morning, while driving my daughter to school,
I was braking to come to a stop, and I heard a
loud noise which seemed to come from the rear
passenger side. It sounded like I hit something,
and scared me half to death. There was nothing
in the road though. I know it wasn't the anti-lock brakes, this was a totally different sound and feel. I came home and called my
husband, and he said the same thing had happened
to him a few days ago. He said he thought he had
run over something or blew a tire, but when he
got out to look, everything seemed okay. Has
anyone experienced this or heard of this kind of
problem before? We are supposed to drive down
to Florida in a few weeks, and now we're a little
nervous.
Thanks
I took my 2000 MPV ES for its first oil change at a local dealership (not where I bought it) and two days later my wife was driving the car --when
woosh , all the oil blew out at once. Luck had it that she was only 100yrds. from home and stopped quickly. Had it towed to dealer and same story..
sticky pressure relief valve, they said that they have seen this once before.
It took 2 weeks in shop to rip engine apart and change oil pump and gaskets.
Couple months have gone by with no problems..
except fog lights don't work .. local dealer was small and poor service and response to problem, but good thing is that it was covered under warranty.
I will be taking it to dealer where I bought it (25 miles away) for all oil changes.
I figured that I could tie this in with the sticking fuel door and dropped by the dealer. The service manager says he sees this a lot with the MinuteLube and other places.
Concerning oil filters, go to http://www.pureoil.com/Etch_Bulletins.htm.
It provides two articles that could help you in your fight. I have read of this problem before on this and Mazda replaced the engine after first denying that there was a problem with the design.