BunnyGirl

My car is acting up on me. My CEL came on two weeks ago and I thought it was likely related to the gas cap since it came on right after getting gas. I checked and redid the gas cap just in case. The light hasn't gone off two weeks later. I took it ot Auto Zone and another place to see what the code was to know if it's a big deal or not. Neither place could get a code on it. So, I took my car in today to have them look at it since I needed my oil changed anyway and also my tail light since there is at least 3 inches of standing water in it AGAIN!!! My car is just over 4 years old and has 56K miles on it. I was told my warranty was up at 4 years 48K, not 5 years 60K. They gave me a printout saying that only a few things were covered for 60K and that likely the 100K extended warranty I bought wouldn't apply nor would the 100K extended warranty on the engine and components Mazda gave when they did the recalls. So, now I have to pay $90 diagnostic fee to look at the CEL. I was then told it's most likely an oxygen sensor considering my mileage, which would be around $300 to replace and that it's not covered under the emissions warranty past 2 years. Grrrr!!!! Plus, it's $350 to replace my tail light because it's not warranty either. I think it should be because they refused to fix it for the last 2 years when it was still under warranty and it only had moisture getting in at the sides and it was fogging up. At that time they told me when it got bad enough to pool water in the bottom they'd fix it under warranty, but not before then. Now that it's full of standing water it's a problem and they said it's not warranty anymore!!!!

I guess I'm mainly just ranting at this point, but does anyone have any ideas what might be causing my CEL??? My car seems to be running fine and driving fine, although my gas mileage has dropped in the last month before the light came on from 19-21 to 17-19. I assumed that was because I don't drive my car as often (I walk to work a lot because it's close) and when I do I have a lot more short trips as well as hauling packages for my business in there. But that might not be it considering the check engine light. Has anyone else had this problem before where the light is on but no code found??? I'm going to be pissed it's costing me $90 to figure out what it is if it turns out to be something really stupid like the gas cap (even though I fixed it).

Yes, I know this technically belongs in another subforum than here, but it won't let me post where it belongs for some reason.

Pico

iTrader: (2)

Dam dealerships

Give some more info on your car. Plugs, coils. plug wires -- mileage? AT or MT and your driving habits

BunnyGirl

It's a 2006, 6-speed manual, and has OEM parts that have been replaced when needed and all maintenance done on schedule. Mileage 56,148. I drive it pretty standard, not easy and babying it, but not really hard on it either. I don't do much stop and go driving at all. It's mostly all driving with the occasional stop lights. I do make a point of redlining it at least once per trip as well.

BunnyGirl

Another clue that I didn't think much of was that it was starting rough several times before the CEL came on, but it's been starting fine since the CEL came on. The last time this happened I needed new plugs. I didn't have a CEL that time though.

Pico

iTrader: (2)

Hmmm it could be as simple as a ghost code from a wire harness problem or PCM problem. I would check and clean your MAF -- thats a good starting point

What were the temps amb. and engine when you had the rough starts? Hot day/ cold day?

BunnyGirl

Turns out the CEL is from a cracked fuel cap so it won't seal properly. So, that means some idiot at the gas station f'ed it up since we can't pump our own gas in this state. Kindly, the dealership is waving the price of the cap and the diagnostics fee. Tail light will be $260 with my parts discount so I'm going to have them order that too.

BunnyGirl

The rough starts were cold and rainy days.

Pico

iTrader: (2)

The cap is easy enough. Replace and see how it runs. Taillights have always been a problem.

I hate the way dealers rape people.
Still check/clean your MAF. You should already have an updated starter as well


Hopefully your problems are solved.

zoom44

hey bunny how ya doing? long time no see

anyway glad they got the cap for you gratis. where did you take it this time? where are you getting the tail lamp? check shipped prices at finishline performance and Mazmart before you buy local.

with the way the weather has been the last week im not surprised you had a couple of rough starts. but it might also be an early sign that you will need new sprk plugs or coils soon. did you change them previously? i dont remember you posting about them before.