Problems with your 3 so far?
October-11th-2004, 07:01 PM
#76
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 29
Mazda isn't the only make with evaporative emissions problems. I work for Dodge, and Just bought 2 Mazda 3's .(wife got the cool one, 5 door 2.3, I got the cheapo 4 door 2.0)
I change out gas caps, leak detection pumps, purge solenoids, emission lines, and charcoal cans almost daily. Federal regulations are forcing almost yearly changes, so there's not a lot of R&D time from the drawing board to implementation. In short, the manufactur's are "winging it" to get the cars out the door, as they have almost zero lead time to design a decent system. Thank California for this one, not your dealer.
The system is designed to keep the gas tank in a state of vacuum, and it has a multitude of tests to run. If the gas cap is loose or leaks, MIL light. Cracked vacuum/emission line? MIL light. Loose fuel pump module retaining ring? Sticking switch in the Leak detect pump? (basically the sensor for all the evaporative emissions) Stuck Purge solenoid? (It supplies the vacuum for the system to operate) MIL light.
Give your dealer a break, as these problems are NOT easy to find, and the tests to verify correct operation of the system can take over 30 minutes each time. It's not a lemon, the engine isn't gonna blow, the transmission isn't gonna FALL OUT at 70 mph, ect ect. The best fix is to give your dealer/tech TIME to correctly hash out the problem. Don't come in as a waiter, but arrange to LEAVE the car for the day. You'll get better results, I gurantee you.
I change out gas caps, leak detection pumps, purge solenoids, emission lines, and charcoal cans almost daily. Federal regulations are forcing almost yearly changes, so there's not a lot of R&D time from the drawing board to implementation. In short, the manufactur's are "winging it" to get the cars out the door, as they have almost zero lead time to design a decent system. Thank California for this one, not your dealer.
The system is designed to keep the gas tank in a state of vacuum, and it has a multitude of tests to run. If the gas cap is loose or leaks, MIL light. Cracked vacuum/emission line? MIL light. Loose fuel pump module retaining ring? Sticking switch in the Leak detect pump? (basically the sensor for all the evaporative emissions) Stuck Purge solenoid? (It supplies the vacuum for the system to operate) MIL light.
Give your dealer a break, as these problems are NOT easy to find, and the tests to verify correct operation of the system can take over 30 minutes each time. It's not a lemon, the engine isn't gonna blow, the transmission isn't gonna FALL OUT at 70 mph, ect ect. The best fix is to give your dealer/tech TIME to correctly hash out the problem. Don't come in as a waiter, but arrange to LEAVE the car for the day. You'll get better results, I gurantee you.
October-12th-2004, 10:16 AM
#77
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 92
Danielle, if the car won't start or won't run reliably then YES, you should get a loaner.
It's supposed to be part of the 4year warantee program. Complain (try to remain calm and somewhat polite - otherwise you become the AssXXXX customer from hell) - Call another dealer, call and write Mazda corporate. Let us know how it works out.
But if it's minor stuff that doesn't impact you driving safely and relatively comfortably from point A to point B - it's customary to make an appointment.
Here's an example I had on another car -
me: "The electric driver's window is stuck down"
them: "Make an appointment"
me: "HUH? It's January and it freezing outside! You have to fix it today!"
them: "Oh, okay - I guess we can do that"
and they did! OTOH If the problem had been that I couldn't rolll down a passenger's window, well then I would have been willing to wait a few days.
It's supposed to be part of the 4year warantee program. Complain (try to remain calm and somewhat polite - otherwise you become the AssXXXX customer from hell) - Call another dealer, call and write Mazda corporate. Let us know how it works out.
But if it's minor stuff that doesn't impact you driving safely and relatively comfortably from point A to point B - it's customary to make an appointment.
Here's an example I had on another car -
me: "The electric driver's window is stuck down"
them: "Make an appointment"
me: "HUH? It's January and it freezing outside! You have to fix it today!"
them: "Oh, okay - I guess we can do that"
and they did! OTOH If the problem had been that I couldn't rolll down a passenger's window, well then I would have been willing to wait a few days.
October-12th-2004, 10:21 AM
#78
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 92
Worm,
You have a better chance of getting it fixed if you can do a little more testing to narrow things down better ....
It happens with the radio off. Okay, so we're probably pretty safe ruling out the radio system - although there might be some tiny chance that the speaker circuits are somehow picking up some nasty electrical noise.
It happens in 4th and/or 5th. Okay good. Can you do it in fourth? At what speed and RPM? Can you get it in 5th? At what speed and RPM? Answering these questions might help figure out whether the problem has to do with engine speed, tranny, or some other components...
You have a better chance of getting it fixed if you can do a little more testing to narrow things down better ....
It happens with the radio off. Okay, so we're probably pretty safe ruling out the radio system - although there might be some tiny chance that the speaker circuits are somehow picking up some nasty electrical noise.
It happens in 4th and/or 5th. Okay good. Can you do it in fourth? At what speed and RPM? Can you get it in 5th? At what speed and RPM? Answering these questions might help figure out whether the problem has to do with engine speed, tranny, or some other components...
October-12th-2004, 10:28 AM
#79
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 92
Monzsta,
appreciate hearing it from your point of view. Would you please comment on:
1) Some of us want to know what that engine light might mean BEFORE we take the car in. For example, to get some idea of what and how serious the problem might be.
a) Why the heck can't the auto makers give us a standard USB or serial port on the car - so we can jack in and give us some "free" downloadable software or a CD that comes with the car so we can get some better diagnostics OURSELVES?
b) Many cars have LCD or LED displays capable of display a few characters or numbers - why the heck just the idiot light? Why not an error code on a built-in display - or better yet - a timesquare style scrolling error message in plain English (or language of your choice)?
2) Which if any of the many possible EVAP problems can lead to rough idling, hard starting or other noticeable driving problems?
appreciate hearing it from your point of view. Would you please comment on:
1) Some of us want to know what that engine light might mean BEFORE we take the car in. For example, to get some idea of what and how serious the problem might be.
a) Why the heck can't the auto makers give us a standard USB or serial port on the car - so we can jack in and give us some "free" downloadable software or a CD that comes with the car so we can get some better diagnostics OURSELVES?
b) Many cars have LCD or LED displays capable of display a few characters or numbers - why the heck just the idiot light? Why not an error code on a built-in display - or better yet - a timesquare style scrolling error message in plain English (or language of your choice)?
2) Which if any of the many possible EVAP problems can lead to rough idling, hard starting or other noticeable driving problems?
October-12th-2004, 12:09 PM
#80
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: cincinnati, ohio
Posts: 6
thanks for the tip bob...
I've been trying to narrow it down but unfortunately, I've only got 800+ miles on it - only over a week or so old. I haven't been driving it that much (some would say i have in a week
) but nevertheless, it happens 40+ mph so that's when i'm in 4th and higher up. It's intermittent I suppose. It doesn't happen all the time...at least not that I can see/hear. I drive on the same road...commuting back and forth from work. Some days it happens and then some days it doesn't. It's not that big of a deal to me to be honest with you but I do want to get looked at if it's a serious problem or can cause a serious problem later, ya' know.
I suppose I just posted it up just in case someone else was having the same problem.
I've been trying to narrow it down but unfortunately, I've only got 800+ miles on it - only over a week or so old. I haven't been driving it that much (some would say i have in a week
) but nevertheless, it happens 40+ mph so that's when i'm in 4th and higher up. It's intermittent I suppose. It doesn't happen all the time...at least not that I can see/hear. I drive on the same road...commuting back and forth from work. Some days it happens and then some days it doesn't. It's not that big of a deal to me to be honest with you but I do want to get looked at if it's a serious problem or can cause a serious problem later, ya' know. I suppose I just posted it up just in case someone else was having the same problem.
October-12th-2004, 08:54 PM
#81
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 11
Getting the stalling fixed....
When I got to the dealer today for my stalling and carpet problems on my M3-5 door, they had me down for a rental car. I was almost going to get mad about that but I got the loaner without trouble.
Any way, They replaced my fuel pump as it had gone out some time last week. They replaced three other things that I'm not sure what they are.
Does replacing a fuel pump mean that they have to take the gas tank out?
Because when I left the dealer the gas was full and when I got 1/2 mile away it was down 4 notches.
They're ordering all new carpeting for my interior. Hopefully they will do a good job. I'll get that put in in about 2 weeks when it gets there.
Geez Mercury Sables really suck ***.
Oh and whoever said don't be mean to the reps or that would make me seen like an *******, I know. I know how that works. I only raise my voice when they won't help me and tell me to come back another five times.
Any way, They replaced my fuel pump as it had gone out some time last week. They replaced three other things that I'm not sure what they are.
Does replacing a fuel pump mean that they have to take the gas tank out?
Because when I left the dealer the gas was full and when I got 1/2 mile away it was down 4 notches.
They're ordering all new carpeting for my interior. Hopefully they will do a good job. I'll get that put in in about 2 weeks when it gets there.
Geez Mercury Sables really suck ***.
Oh and whoever said don't be mean to the reps or that would make me seen like an *******, I know. I know how that works. I only raise my voice when they won't help me and tell me to come back another five times.
October-13th-2004, 08:41 AM
#82
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 92
Danielle,
Yes, fuel pump may be in the tank and require draining the tank (not sure on the 3- but I won't be surprized). I had a pump go bad on a Toyota and the F-ing dealer/mechanic charged me full mechanic hourly rate for the time to siphon the tank and that siphon was darned slow - I asked and that was their lamo explanation - "well sir, you had a full tank of gas - so naturally we have to charge you an extra $250 to drain that - too bad your tank wasn't empty"!!! (From now on, if car is out of warantee - it's going to my own mechanic - even if that means towing it the 20 extra miles.)
Anywho, it's easy to see how a balky pump would lead to all kinds of problems - that engine needs gas to go! Let's hope they nailed the problem this time.
Raising your voice ( modulating for effect ) can be a good thing - just don't over do it
Yes, fuel pump may be in the tank and require draining the tank (not sure on the 3- but I won't be surprized). I had a pump go bad on a Toyota and the F-ing dealer/mechanic charged me full mechanic hourly rate for the time to siphon the tank and that siphon was darned slow - I asked and that was their lamo explanation - "well sir, you had a full tank of gas - so naturally we have to charge you an extra $250 to drain that - too bad your tank wasn't empty"!!! (From now on, if car is out of warantee - it's going to my own mechanic - even if that means towing it the 20 extra miles.)
Anywho, it's easy to see how a balky pump would lead to all kinds of problems - that engine needs gas to go! Let's hope they nailed the problem this time.
Raising your voice ( modulating for effect
) can be a good thing - just don't over do it
Last edited by bob teatow; October-13th-2004 at 08:43 AM.
October-17th-2004, 11:11 PM
#83
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 5
well the car isn't really mine its more like the family car. Anyway we have 30k km on it already. we've had it for almost over a year. anyway i think the engine stalled i think twice, hasn't stalled in a while. The airbag light used to keep going off but now it doesn't, i'm not sure if the dealer fixed it or not they just give us some BS like they already did when they didn't. I noticed the backwheels seem to be rusting but the front ones are shiny. Nothing else seems wrong with the car i guess if we're at 30k km already its not a lemon.
October-20th-2004, 02:57 AM
#84
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Kauai, Hawaii
Posts: 16
I've had my Mada3 for about a month and haven't had any major problems so far besides a rattling in the front passenger door that made niose everytime bass went off from the speaker, but I fixed that myself, I'm a takes charge myself kind of guy, and other then that haven't had any problems with it and I am enjoying it alot. I also own a Protege5 and I noticed that everytime I went over 70mph there would be a slight whine coming from the dash, I took it to the dealer to repaint it and ever since then the whine has been gone.
October-20th-2004, 02:13 PM
#85
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 8
Uncomfortale driver seat
Greetings,
I'm a new 3-5s manual owner. Nice car. I like it a lot, however the driver seat is causing me problems on long drives. I just spent 5 hours driving from D.C. and my right leg and foot were killing me. It's still partially numb and sore. I tried every combination of hight and distance from the pedals and could not get comfortable. I had 2 VWs before - Jetta GLX and Beelte Turbo - never had this trouble with any car. I'm 6' and 150 lbs or so so I fit fine. Any thoughts on aftermarket products?
thanks,
Scoggins
I'm a new 3-5s manual owner. Nice car. I like it a lot, however the driver seat is causing me problems on long drives. I just spent 5 hours driving from D.C. and my right leg and foot were killing me. It's still partially numb and sore. I tried every combination of hight and distance from the pedals and could not get comfortable. I had 2 VWs before - Jetta GLX and Beelte Turbo - never had this trouble with any car. I'm 6' and 150 lbs or so so I fit fine. Any thoughts on aftermarket products?
thanks,
Scoggins
October-20th-2004, 02:57 PM
#86
Registered User
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Belleville, IL
Posts: 7
Burning Smell
I've had my M3 5 Door for about 5 months now and have put 8,000 miles on it without any problems. Just this last week though, I have been noticing a burning smell coming from the front of the car wheneer I come to a stop. It smells like burnt rubber. I don't peel out or drop the clutch either.....Does anyone have any ideas before I take it in???
October-21st-2004, 10:38 AM
#87
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 11
Your leg hurting while driving
Hi..When I first got my m3-5 door, it hurt my leg to drive it too! The seat was in perfect position and it's still in that same position now and I don't have any pains.
But that's weird...Well I guess some times it still bothers me a little. I think that maybe the gas pedal is a little too hard to push. I'm 125 lbs. and sure do feel a work out and strain with my right leg. (I drive with both feet).
Maybe you just need to try losening it up a bit. I won't try that because I'm a girl... but I think that's the problem. I don't know how to tell you to do that though.
I'm still trying to figure out when to get my new carpet installed. Hmm... am worried about them installing it poorly. and screwing up things when they take seats out. I always hate it when the greasy workers sit in my car. I had a nightmare last night that my fuel pump went out again. It died on me in the middle of the freeway. agh!
But that's weird...Well I guess some times it still bothers me a little. I think that maybe the gas pedal is a little too hard to push. I'm 125 lbs. and sure do feel a work out and strain with my right leg. (I drive with both feet).
Maybe you just need to try losening it up a bit. I won't try that because I'm a girl... but I think that's the problem. I don't know how to tell you to do that though.
I'm still trying to figure out when to get my new carpet installed. Hmm... am worried about them installing it poorly. and screwing up things when they take seats out. I always hate it when the greasy workers sit in my car. I had a nightmare last night that my fuel pump went out again. It died on me in the middle of the freeway. agh!
October-21st-2004, 08:49 PM
#88
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 8
Thanks Danielle,
I sat in every which way possible. I was temped to click on cruise control and drive from the passenger's seat. That would have been fun at 80 mph! I appreciate your reply.
Good luck with your car. Why new carpeting?
I sat in every which way possible. I was temped to click on cruise control and drive from the passenger's seat. That would have been fun at 80 mph! I appreciate your reply.
Good luck with your car. Why new carpeting?
October-22nd-2004, 12:24 PM
#89
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 4
the dealerships in the US make most of thier money on parts and service, not sales. That's why the car makers don't make it easy for the consumer to figure out what is wrong. If we could then most would do the work ourselves.