I got a CEL today. Let me explain the circumstances:

I went to work at 9am this morning with no problems. When I went outside, I crank the car up and I had a CEL. Hadn't pumped gas in awhile so I know it isn't the cap. I proceeded to my second job and I pulled the battery cable to see if it was a fluke. After replacing it, it came back on with the second start (the first one never lights it). It was raining today but it rained while my car was parked before the CEL and it was in a parking garage. I'm noticing no loss in power. The only thing I have notice is that when I crank it up it bogs just a second and then acts normal. If this means anything, when I added oil at my last full tank, I spilled a little bit.

Please help guys. Ask questions if needed.

might just be a miss fire, my cel is actually lit up now, and if I drive it around for about 3 days it'll go away. It's solid and not blinking correct?

No, it isn't blinking. I absolutely hate that light more than anything. Anything suggestions or precautions?

A CEL on start-up isn't usually anything motor-threatening.
Its likely an evap leak or bad CAT or O2S.

Alright. Well tell me this, what should I do to eliminate symptoms. My dealer sucks arse and I don't want to take it up there if I don't have to.

Should I wait for the cycles to pass?

Thanks everyone for timely responses.

Get the codes scanned.

Alright. Will do soon. I doubt it's an evap leak because I had that one already and got the new cap and it went away.

Ugh... I hate CELs so much. Any additional input from anyone else?

Alright. Will do soon. I doubt it's an evap leak because I had that one already and got the new cap and it went away.

Ugh... I hate CELs so much. Any additional input from anyone else?

Like MazdaManiac said, get the codes scanned at the dealer. Your car is under warranty anyways! you cant figure out what to do until you know what the code is.

Actually, I think my warranty may be up now.

Also, is there anyway I can disable the light for the time being? You don't understand the wrath it induces from me.

If you just want it to go away, buy a resetter/reader from the 'bay, $40......

Just make sure it can handle the "CAN bus" protocol.

S

UPDATE: Popped the hood this morning at work because I was tempted to cut the power for one last CEL drive before I accepted it and I noticed something: My DipStick is gone! (Laugh, I know it's funny :) ) But seriously, it's just plain gone! Could that be the problem? Perhaps some kind of leak or something?

From my last tank ago I must have missed the hole. I never have a problem missing a hole so this is new to me. ;)

UPDATE: Someone in a PM told me to check my hoses and vacuum lines and all of them were attached that I could see. Is there one I should check in particular?

There is the little one directly under the throttle body - it controls the VFAD diaphragm. It will give a CEL if it's off/leaking.

S

Do you think the absence of dipstick could be throwing it?

If it is an '06 or '07, they have a newer PCV system, lets the "crancase" vent into the intake. An uncontrolled leak of air into the sump would probably upset the fuel trim settings - short answer, yes.

S

So, not an 04?

UPDATE: Check the hose under the throttle body. It was properly connected. Anything else?

I just want to let everyone know that I appreciate all contributions in my time of need.

If you had the TSB for the PCV hoses, you might trip a CEL with an air leak like that.

A new Dipstick will be here tomorrow from Rosenthal... I just wonder why it took 3 days or so to trip the CEL if that's the case. But now, if you pull the battery cable for a reset, cut if off (after it's warmed up of course), and start it again, it runs the code every time!

The 3-day delay is because it was registered as an evaporative leak.
The PCM likes to be absolutely sure its not an spurious reading before it waives a flag on that one.

Ok. I'll wait on trying to get the code pulled until I get my dipstick tomorrow morning. I'll update this then. In the meantime, if anyone wants to touch on this, it will surely be welcomed.

UPDATE: Got the codes pulled and I pulled a P 0037 - After Cat O2 Sensor failure if I'm not mistaken.

Simple replacement in order?

UPDATE: Got the codes pulled and I pulled a P 0037 - After Cat O2 Sensor failure if I'm not mistaken.

Simple replacement in order?


You are correct, P0037 is the rear O2 sensor. I would make sure that the connector is fully connected, but it will more than likely need replaced.

UPDATE: Just ordered the rear 02 Sensor. Should be here tommorow.

I know your dealer "sucks arse"—most Mazda dealers do—but maybe there 's another Mazda dealer—a good one—within, say, 50 miles or so? First thing I do when I get a car is locate a good service department. I'll drive an hour out of my way if I locate one. They're perfect for this kind of stuff.

I like to go to the dealer once or twice a year just to make sure I'm caught up on ECU flashes.

Besides, there aren't a lot of rotary mechanics out there. If you need work on your engine some day, might as well take it to someone who knows what the hell they're doing.

Just my 2¢. Glad you got this solved.

Driving around with no dipstick could load your oil with dust/owls/water/leaves/road grit.

Get your oil changed soon.....

S

The Dipstick should be here in a couple of hours. I'm going to have the oil changed soon anyways.

Sneak Peek: I just ordered Wheels and Tires too...

Driving around with no dipstick could load your oil with dust/owls/water/leaves/road grit.

LOL:lol:

Be prepared for the possibility that its not the sensor, but the CAT.

It was only like 3 days without a dipstick... Unfortunately, I can't tell if you're serious or not. Do you think it may be my cat?

Also, I only drive like 15 miles a day so it's not like I've been whippin' all over the place....

dude I dont know how much you paid for that baby... probaly a ton.. but you could just get a universal one from auto zone($70.00) and wire it in from the stock harness.. could save you a ton! I know that it works because I did this myself... car runs perfectly and no more check engine light. Got the idea from a reputable rotary mechanic.

also rip that heavy ass cat off and and get a midpipe.. you wont have to worry about a clogged cat ever again.

Emissions good sir. Don't know any crooked garages around here. Actually I paid less for the OEM sensor than I did from the ones at AutoZone. I priced them while I was there getting the code read.

LOL:lol:

Be prepared for the possibility that its not the sensor, but the CAT.

I too thought that MM. Hope the new sensor works.

Did you ensure that the connector wasn't just loose?

Fuck. Anyone want to give me a recommendation on a replacement cat?

Also, is there not a seperate code for Cat Failure? P0037 specifically stated that it was a rear 02 sensor failure. I'm not doubting anyone chiming in that that's the possibility; I'm just trying to understand.

If the CEL bothers you that much and it turns out to be a clogged cat and not the sensor, make sure you get a hi flo cat not the midpipe as suggested earlier.

I have a permanent CEL since my resonated midpipe.

Is there any way I can tell that it's the cat and not the sensor from some sort of noise or smell or anything?

UPDATE: Just got a call from the shop I used and they said it appears the O2 Sensor did the trick. Will post a final update when I get it back in a few hours.

When I installed my mid-pipe I did get a cel, all I did was clear the ecu and havent had one since... I also passed emissions cause all they did was hook up a computer to the OBD-II and as long as there was no exsisting code she passed it! It was really smelling up the place too HA!!

Lol. Tsk Tsk. While I love performance, I personally want my car to be as green as possible in doing so.

UPDATE: Got the shit sensor that was in there before and it sucked ass. I can see why it threw the code. No more CEL. Car is running well; therefore all is well. I hope this thread can help some people later down the road.

Glad you got it resolved. I know how infuriating the CEL can be.

Here's the culprit.:icon_no2:

My 04' CEL comes and goes and is on now. I take it in and my dealer gives me a loaner (very nice!) and they have replaced O2 sensors and catalytic converter but it still comes and goes. Doesn't run bad. They are just as mystified as we are tho. Might just be an RX-8 "Gemlin". Shouldn't Mazda figure this all out?

Get the code and post it. Could be the dreaded Evap Leak. You may just need a gas cap.

SOMEBODY HELP!

I too, had a P0037, check from Autozone several months ago. The code first appeared after I changed the stock air filter for a K&N drop in replacement. I've looked around for loose hoses but haven't seen any.

So, I assumed that my problem was the rear O2 sensor, as the P0037 indicates. I ordered a Denso exact fit, and installed it this morning. I tried clearing the CEL by disconnecting the battery, pulling the Room, Door, and Window fuses, and also by rapidly pressing the brake pedal 20 times. None of those procedures cleared my CEL, and it comes on immediately every time I've started the car after each procedure.

Does anyone have any other suggestions for clearing the CEL? I have not driven the car very much since replacing the O2 sensor, maybe just a total of 5 miles, but I thought one of those procedures should have forced the CEL to clear.

Do I just have to wait and drive the car a few more days to see if it goes away, or should I go to Autozone and read the code again?

Any help would be appreciated.

+1

Just got my first CEL ever. It came on after right when i was about to drive my car home from work... i know it wasnt the gas cap. Im gonna get it scanned hopefully tomorrow. I do have a HF cat on there from Rotary Performance. I hope it isnt that...

Does anyone have any idea where I can take my 8 for problems that isn't over an hour away from Terre Haute, IN?

If I HAVE to drive all of the way to Indy, it's going to be a huge pain in the ass everytime.

At the moment, I need a code for my CEL that reared its ugly head this morning. :banghead:

I'm in the same situation. My CEL is on and I live in an E-Check county in Ohio. They won't test my car since the light is on, and I have a $2k Matco code reader. I reset my codes but the light won't stay off on the second startup, problematic for anybody trying to pass E-Check.

Right now after reading all these posts I'm gonna try to replace the rear O2 sensor. After that I'll open my dash and disconnect the CEL itself... R-tards @ E-Check won't know the difference, and they'll think my car's been serviced by a dealer since there's no code history.

God bless the Eight because I know we all love it, but I've never owned a car so idiot-light happy. I especially love the green "courtesy light" that comes on to let me know everything's cool with my headlights. I'm not ignorant enough to believe this is the last time I'll wrestle with this problem...

I'm surprised nobody's called anyone a "newbie" on this site so far... that BS is the reason I left here 2 years ago, now I've come back and hopefully order's been restored. Rest assured I have a roll of quarters all ready for the mouth of anybody with the cajones to type that word on this board...

My CEL is on and I live in an E-Check county in Ohio.

I noticed you're from Cuyahoga Falls.
I live just south of Chapel Hill mall.
Come over to the regional forum and meet the other locals:
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=59020&page=83
We are currently setting up our next meet.

How much was the O2 sensor my light is on now.

1.) This is a two year old thread

2.) How do you know it's on due to the o2 sensor?

3.) Check www.mazmart.com or maybe www.finishlineperformance.com or maybe even.......http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?siteid=214264 or http://www.mazdaparts.com/

I will check that thanks.