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Mazda MPV: Problems & Solutions

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  • mazdafamilymazdafamily Member Posts: 1
    I contacted my dealership yesterday (26-Jan-2004) to receive an update on the status of the fix (Hard 2-3 upshift in 2003 MPV with 2500 miles). I was promptly asked when I could bring my van in. It goes in this Friday (30-Jan). I'll let you know how it goes.
    Don't wait for your dealership to call you. Call them. Be proactive.
    -Tony
  • dan2004dan2004 Member Posts: 86
    Not even a hint of a hard shift since the update. How's everyone else doing?
  • steveeaststeveeast Member Posts: 158
    ...so far. But it's bl**dy cold here in Mpls at the moment. Front and rear heating both seem to be working well. I generally always keep fresh air coming in to avoid fogging. Nice to discuss something other than trannies.

    Steve.
  • bigdadibigdadi Member Posts: 72
    My hard-shift 2-3 generally won't happen at least after half an hour city driving, or about an hour highway driving, exited ramp and happened after the 1st full stop.
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    you with "hardshift" (hardship?) MPVs. My '02 (with the Jatco 5 speed) has never had a hardshift, but if there is a latest and greatest, I would want to get it before warranty expires. What do you suggest?

    John
  • dan2004dan2004 Member Posts: 86
    so...did you get a hard shift after the re-flash?
  • bigdadibigdadi Member Posts: 72
    I haven't brought it in for reflash TCM yet. Seems you guys are so far so good with the new reflash or reprogram the TCM. I'll bring PeeVee to dealer in about 4 days.
  • dan2004dan2004 Member Posts: 86
    My MPV was getting better even before the re-flash and its operating very well afterwards. I've only had one hard shift in the last month. Hopefully this issue is behind us now.

    My theory is that the original tranny software maps were too high level and the engineers hoped that the tranny would "learn" to generate the appropriate data points as it went along. They tried to "self program" it on the cheap.

    Apparently this was not happening as they expected. The tranny isn't as smart as the engineers thought it would be, and additional programming effort was required. I think the reflash added more datapoints, probably collected from problem vans in the field.

    So the question is, during development didn't they have test mules for this? Did they run the mules under typical U.S. driving conditions? Or did they just take a gamble that it would work out and cut some corners?
  • steveeaststeveeast Member Posts: 158
    Remember that not all vans have the problem. Even if it's as many as 10% (and I'd guess that's high), then they could easily have half-a-dozen test vans and never see the problem.

    Steve.
  • dan2004dan2004 Member Posts: 86
    The fact that the hard shift problem spans the 2003/2004 model years has me convinced that they were looking for a fix-on-the-cheap and finally had to bite the bullet to prevent a sales melt-down.
  • danogdanog Member Posts: 318
    It has been almost one week since we had our tranny flashed with this new fix and we have had zero hard shifts. The weather and driving patterns have been the same during this time.

    How long will it last, well I hope it is a done deal but I'm not worrying about it until it exhibits any problems again.
  • bottgersbottgers Member Posts: 2,030
    Is this tranny flash some of you have had done listed as a TSB? If not, how did you go about getting it done? Did you just call your local service dept and tell them you wanted to have them do the tranny flash to fix the shifting problem?
  • notasoccermomnotasoccermom Member Posts: 55
    It's been 2 days and no hard shift. But my husband has been driving it and he drives mostly highway to work, so I don't know that he has set up the conditions for it if it was going to do it still. He's giving it to me to drive to work tomorrow (yeah!) and I do mostly stop & go. So we'll see!

    bottgers---Our dealership said that the fix is in their service database, not sure if it's listed as a TSB or if they just show that the rev level of the TCM has been updated, but they contacted us so they did know it was out there somehow. On our service order, it just says "Customer states vehicle shifts hard from 2nd - 3rd gear, updated TCM with reflash/software update." or something like that. Nothing about a TSB #. I'd just call your dealership and ask them to check into it.
  • notasoccermomnotasoccermom Member Posts: 55
    I wouldn't mess with yours if it doesn't do the hard shift. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!! Seriously, since this problem only occurred in the late model '03's and '04's, there's probably something different about the TCM itself, or the hardware in the trans between the years to make ours have the problem and yours not. Your dealership probably wouldn't even do it.
  • notasoccermomnotasoccermom Member Posts: 55
    There's a fix (tsb?) for that problem too (20 degree temperature difference between the driver's side right vent and all the rest). They replaced some sort of "plate" behind the dashboard, but we have yet to test that out as well.
  • tccmn1tccmn1 Member Posts: 278
    Well, my north St. Paul Mazda dealer FINALLY broke down and said to come on in! I had to call THEM though...even though I was on the call list. I guess there are over 100 on THAT list to call. Anyway, soon I will be shifting smoothly again too! I will have them check my vents also.

    Thanks for keeping us all posted on the tranny update!

    Mileage has REALLY dropped now at -15 degrees in the tundra land of Paul Bunyan. Lucky to coax 14MPG's now around town..yikes! Sounds like that of a big SUV or something. My old DC mini never dropped off so much as this...? I STILL don't warm it up much either.
  • bottgersbottgers Member Posts: 2,030
    ......about the MPV I don't like; the shifting problem, of course, and the fuel mileage. Since the MPV is smaller and lighter than most (maybe all) of the other minis, it should get much better mileage than it does. Mazda really dropped the ball on this one.
  • dan2004dan2004 Member Posts: 86
    Make sure you keep the tire pressure up in this cold weather. I'm having pretty good luck at 35psi, ranging between 18-20mpg.
  • bottgersbottgers Member Posts: 2,030
    ......18-20 MPG for a van this size is terrible. This thing should be getting 25-30.
  • tccmn1tccmn1 Member Posts: 278
    Has anyone noticed that when it gets cold; 20 degrees ABOVE zero F or colder, that the struts or something creak when going over a bump? I park in a ramp, and each evening I go over those speed bumps at 5MPH or so, and I hear this creaking sound from the front end when I go over them! Is this another sign of things to come? Granted, when it's THIS COLD, nothing seems to work the same, but again, I never had THIS happen in my old 160K miles DC van!! Do the struts need some adjustment or is this "normal". I don't hear it when I'm driving on the roads, etc.
    I guess I should just turn the radio up louder, huh.
  • moibmoib Member Posts: 49
    Your creaking comment....I wonder if that's the same thing I noticed but I would call it a scraping sound. It sounded like something was dragging in the front, as if below the bumper area. I had also gone over a VERY small speed bump (VERY SLOWLY) and it sounded like something had scraped. I noticed it when I got home and pulled into my driveway, too. Is that the struts and should I be worried? (I also live in Minnesota.) By-the-way, did you hear it was so cold Friday morning that the Ice Palace stayed closed for a while? It opened late, at noon. I'm ready for some warmer weather!! :)
  • dan2004dan2004 Member Posts: 86
    An MPV with a turbo diesel would get 40 mpg on the highway. I think VW has a new Caravelle model in Europe with such a powertrain. The VW has a pretty good top speed, but is slow in acceleration.

    I'm not sure most American drivers would accept the trade-off, at least with gas prices below $3/gal.

    Another solution would be to incorporate the TD engine with a variation of an electric hybrid drivetrain to get back the acceleration.

    Maybe the 2010 MPV?
  • dlmc4dlmc4 Member Posts: 26
    I think if VW came out with a Passat based van similar in size to the MPV, it would be a hit. They could offer it with the 1.8T four (170 - 180HP), the 3.0 six (220HP) or the turbo diesel. Maybe even a W8 version. They also already use the Audi AWD system in the Passat. Price range could be $22K - $38K just like the Passat. I think a little more competition to the MPV would keep them honest and a smaller more nimble van would fit right in to VW's thinking. Hmmmmmmm.

    My MPV is also going in soon for the fix. I also had to call the dealer when they were supposed to call me as soon as it became available. Thanks to everybody that has been posting. It has been very helpful info. I'm glad to hear that the fix is working for everyone that has received it. I'll be glad to put this one behind me.
  • rumor24rumor24 Member Posts: 74
    OK it has been 1 week now and still no hiccup. Of course it is still hard to tell with wind chills around -30, but it is still the only thing I hated so far. Well... except for going to the atm last night and the driver window froze closed. My daughter had to roll her window down in back and do the transaction. It seemed that my dirver window was the only one that would not go down. But that could be other factors. Still driving better since the fix. I just don't like driving when it is so freaking cold. I will keep you all posted. And don't give up on all dealers and their mechanics. Mine has been absolutely outstanding through all of this. So don't give up hope
  • bottgersbottgers Member Posts: 2,030
    Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the original fix also a flash? It didn't fix the problem, what makes them think this one will?
  • dan2004dan2004 Member Posts: 86
    The flash is basically a procedure to erase the existing software from the tranny's ROM memory. Sometimes ROM can get corrupted so the idea behind the original reflash was to simply put in a clean version of the original software. Latter some changes were made to the software itself, which unfortunately did not work, but the procedure was still called a "flash."

    In the latest iteration, it seems that more changes were made in the software, and it seems to have corrected the problem. But the procedure to update the ROM is still called a "flash."
  • youdirtyratyoudirtyrat Member Posts: 7
    Does this fix cost anything? Thank You.
  • bigdadibigdadi Member Posts: 72
    Yep I got the same noise when the front wheels went over speed bumps at slow speed. It sounds something touching each other.
  • mjvchicagomjvchicago Member Posts: 149
    Don't know if I would worry... I've had that happen on every car I've owned up here in Chicago winters from Corvette's to Grand Ams to Mitsubishis. I think it's a cold weather thing.
  • tomj5tomj5 Member Posts: 209
    The "other" board reports that the noise is caused by a liner rubbing in the right front wheel well. There is a fix out on it. They cut a little off the liner. Dealer should know about it....

    Our MPV runs great, good milage, but lowest daytime temp so far was +58.....

    Tj
  • pikapp22pikapp22 Member Posts: 3
    It's been a long while since I checked these message boards. We have a 2000 MPV that's been trouble free up until recently.

    The check engine light came on a few weeks ago. My wife took it in and they said it was emisions related and that it might be that the gas cap wasn't on tight enough. They reset the light. This morning, the light came on again.

    The van runs fine and everything appears normal.

    Anyone seen something like this? I tried to search through the previous posts but didn't see anything clear.
  • oldmedicoldmedic Member Posts: 78
    My 03 ES goes in for the tranny reflash in the morning; weather permitting. Weather man is calling for an ice storm tomorrow. Everything else is flawless so far. No lights, no bells, no squeaks, and no rattles. The Autoglym leather treatment really helped the seats but probably needs more on the fronts as they were really dry and stiff. Smells like leather should though.
     
    One question; the ES sound system has a subwoofer in the back but it doesn't seem to have much punch. Shouldn't it sound as good as my computer's $75 subwoofer sound system? I've never really sat in the back to listen though.
  • notasoccermomnotasoccermom Member Posts: 55
    If you are asking about the transmission shifting problem "fix"---absolutely not, it doesn't cost anything, unless your van is out of warranty already and you never reported the shift problem BEFORE it was out of warranty. But the shift problem only occurred in late model '03s & '04s so if that's what you've got I doubt it would be out of warranty by now unless you already have over 50K miles on it!
  • dwsmhadwsmha Member Posts: 35
    I had that noise too. They shaved a bit of the fiberglass wheel well off since it was rubbing. Never heard the noise again (was about 9 months ago)
  • tomj5tomj5 Member Posts: 209
    Usually means a leak in the emissions system. I had it with our 03 MPV and so have several others... It is not serious, drive the car all you want. A loose gas cap will cause it. Usually it is faulty filter canister(some canisters were bad from factory).

    There is a lot of plumbing associated with the emissions and a leak anywhere will cause the CE lite to go on and off...

    Tj
  • youdirtyratyoudirtyrat Member Posts: 7
    Thank you very much I will be calling today for appo.
  • oldmedicoldmedic Member Posts: 78
    Just got back from the dealership after having the tranny reflashed. They said it would take about 2 weeks for the learning curve to establish itsself but it shifts perfectly already and I drove it hard. I guess I'd been babying it since the first hard shift cause I'd forgotten much of a kick the MPV was to drive. It rocks. Not one single hiccup.
  • oldmedicoldmedic Member Posts: 78
    Has anyone read about the Adele Garcia vs Mazda case in Wisconsin. It really smacks. In her letter to Mazda invoking the Lemon Law and requesting a replacement vehicle Mazda stipulated that she did not state in writing to "transfer title" of her current vehicle back to Mazda in exchange for a replacement. Duh. Case was thrown out twice on that fact. Its going to the State Supreme court now. Mazda is starting to smell again!
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    It sort of makes you wonder what the rest of the story is. Here's one link.

    Steve, Host
  • notasoccermomnotasoccermom Member Posts: 55
    And the thing is good as new! I've set it up many times for the conditions to do the hard shift, but it shifts smooth as silk. I agree, it's nice to be able to really drive it and not baby the thing. It really does rock!!
  • bottgersbottgers Member Posts: 2,030
    ......and tell them I want them to do the tranny flash on my PeeVee, they're going to know exactly what I'm talking about? I hate that look like my head is falling off!
  • oldmedicoldmedic Member Posts: 78
    No problem just speak to the service manager in one syllable words: "fix my gear box with the flash, jack". Or "shall I call Mazda for you". My dealership said its not a matter of having the information, its having a service technician on hand that knows how to use it. Shucks, it would be worth it to drive somewhere that could fix it.
  • pjgptpjgpt Member Posts: 15
    I called my dealership yesterday (Long Island, NY) and scheduled the tranny reflash for 2/13 so that I could get a loaner car. For those of you that have had the reflash, how long did it take?

    I called the dealership about two weeks ago and they had no idea what I was talking about when I mentioned a fix or hard shift problems. Two weeks later and they know what it is and how to fix it. Apparently Mazda has gotten the word out.
  • bigdadibigdadi Member Posts: 72
    Great news. Hope it's really a fix. Go over some speed bumps and see whether you get some scraping sound in the front end. If yes, you can get it together. The forum messages said Mazda fixed it by scraping some fibrelass off the wheel well.
  • cutawaycutaway Member Posts: 5
    Folks, I need you help ASAP. I have my 03 MPV in the dealership right now to fix the hard shifting (2nd - 3rd). They called me saying that they cannot reproduce it and their diagnostic shows no problem. They are also saying the TSB they found doesn't apply to my VIN...in other words, I have the latest software.

    They are freaking telling me to come pick up the car and bring it back when I can reproduce it consistantly. What the #$!?

    Any advise? Thanks.

    James
  • steveeaststeveeast Member Posts: 158
    Your dealer may well be working from the old notice and not have the info about the new fix. I suggest you tell them to contact Mazda. If they stall, call Mazda yourself.

    Steve.
  • dan2004dan2004 Member Posts: 86
    Call Mazda and report your dealer. They are simply incompetent. If the reflash applies to 04 models it sure applies to 03's.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    After all that phone calling, join other Mazda owners and fans in the Mazda Mania chat tonight.

    Starts in about 2 hours and the link is on the left.

    Steve, Host
  • bigdadibigdadi Member Posts: 72
    Try to call another Mazda dealer near you.
  • danogdanog Member Posts: 318
    Well we almost made it two weeks without a hard shift after the trans flash and it happened today on the ride home. It certainly wasn't because it was cold and demonstrated the same characteristics as before.
This discussion has been closed.

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