Well, today on my way to take the SAT (for the 500th time ) I was just cruising on the freeway at about 70mph and the check engine light flashed for about 5-10 seconds. I have no reason why though. The oil level is fine and the car seems to be running well. The only thing I've noticed the past couple of days is that the engine cooling fan has been staying on for quite a while. I can understand after a spirited drive [I live right by Angele's Crest Ntl Forest ] but the fan stayed on for a good few minutes after a short few mile drive. Its been in the high 80's low 90's though, that may be the reason...

I already have an appt to take my car in Weds because I just hit 5,000mi but I wanted to know if anyone here has any ideas. I love this car and always take great care of it so I don't know. Maybe I'm just paranoid but if anyone has any ideas to why the check engine light flashed let me know. Any input is thanked...

 

Tiltmode: The same thing is happening to mine. I'm taking mine in this Wednesday as well. Initially they thought it was some electronic cord shorting out that apparently was a recall. They checked, and that cord has already been replaced. Now they have to go deeper into the engine for some other electrical thing to deal with. I'm mechanically illiterate, if it hasn't become apparent already, but let me know what your guy finds out, I'll let you know what mine finds out. Also, my airbag light is on A LOT. But mine is doing the same with the engine cooling as well. As I said, I'll let you know what I find out!

 

Could be a random misfire or possibly a failing catalytic converter. Be sure to tell the dealer about it and have them pull the code(s). May be something as simple as a fouled spark plug causing a misfire.

 

Will do, I am figuring its nothing (drove 200mi today without any problems) anyways. Thanks for the input guys...

 

If it just flashed and then is off, you wont be able to pull it if you have since turned off the car. It is very likely to have been a pending P0302 (rear rotor missfire). Buy a cheap Actron scanner and keep in handy in the car, that way you can pull and clear your own codes and see pending codes.

 

Bought car at 5.2K mi, same day accelerating over [old] train tracks check engine flashed. Thought "I've been duped" then it stoped. Did it maybe one other time before Saturday (just gone). Again on roughish ground and hi-rev/acceleration. This time after it settled out I didn't calm down as much as I did last time. Accelerated as soon as light was off, light came back on... and stayed on. Took car in this morning. They said it was a P03000 (I think, papers are in car) misfire. They said "its not misfiring", they reset and took her out - no trouble. They spent time on phone to Mazda - Mazda claimed they'd never had this problem reported (hmmm BS).

They mechanic said that it could be a faulty connection or wire that is grounding and tripping the computer. He said there isn't much they can do, escp. as its first time. I guess if it keeps happening I'll take in an request forcefuly that they take her until she's fixed...

He did hint at the fact it could be a deeper problem that is starting to surface but that only time would tell on taht.

I guess I should get a reader as mentioned in this thread.

Dealer: Great Valley Mazda, Sacramento (happy with service so far)
Car: 2005 Ti Grey

 

Oh oh oh the punch line - And on way to work after this - it happened again; just flashed, then off - I was clearly very careful.

 

tiltmode43-its a random misfire. try cleaning or getting your plugs cleaned/checked.

woodgie- you also had a random misfire- but im concerned you are confusing your dash lights. its quite possible that when you went over the tracks you got the light for the traction control for a sec or 2 while it was activated. this is the little car with the wavy motion lines. watch for it the next tiem you are accelerating over gravelly areas or over tracks.

also- from your description the person who talked to you at the dealership is either not competent at his/her job or is a bullshitter/liar. you should not be happy with the service.

1. P03xx is a misfire code https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=26291so why would they say "its not misfiring"? unless they meant while idling in the shop hooked to the wds.

2. They spent no time on the phone to mazda. Because mazda woudlnt have said "never heard of a random misfire code before". Unless the tech lines response was "we've never had anyone cal lus about a first visit for a random misfire code before".

3. "could be a faulty connection or wire that is" but didnt bother to check and clean your plugs?

has all the recall work been done to your car? find out if and when.

 

Thanks zoom44 -

First up: LOL No, I'm talking about the right icon. Thanks for checking tho

Next;
"try cleaning or getting your plugs cleaned/checked." - Any forum links you can point me to off the top of your head pls? Would like to do myself if I can (I'm mechanicly illeterate - and generaly illeterate LOL ;-)

They said it registered a misfire but didn't apear to be misfiring. Is that clearer? Does that trigger any other thoughts. I did feel like I was being fobbed off/brushed aside. FYI the check engine came on but there was no discerable 'feel' different to the engine.

 

Took my car in Wed. as planned, the guys took the engine apart, and then the dealer called and said he feels like a real dumbass because he forgot to order the part. I imagine his employees were not thrilled. In the meantime, the light has not come back on. We're really wondering if I got a tank of bad gas??? Who knows. I'm just glad it's not back on.

 

Well I guess I'm adding myself to this thread. My check engine light came on today. Along with the traction control. I pulled over and started it up but both lights stayed on. Car would only go 7mph so I had to have it towed. Only thing I can say I noticed was the fan staying on a lot more. Even after short drives it would stay on for a long time.