Diagnosis help
#1
Diagnosis help
Was just wondering if hopefully someone here could help me diagnose an issue that has recently happened...
The car seems to have lost only a little bit of power under full acceleration, and at WOT when in gear, after giong to redline, I am getting the CEL flashing at me. It only happens after running to redline at WOT in gear, and it flashes for a bit, then it goes away. The light doesnt stay on. Has anyone else experienced this? Can I have the car scanned and will they be able to diagnose the issue? It happened this afternoon, and I am hoping it is not a serious issue...
Any help is appreciated, and Thanks in advance.
Oh yeah, 2004 with 70k miles, 6 spd, in case that info is needed to diagnose. Thanks again.
The car seems to have lost only a little bit of power under full acceleration, and at WOT when in gear, after giong to redline, I am getting the CEL flashing at me. It only happens after running to redline at WOT in gear, and it flashes for a bit, then it goes away. The light doesnt stay on. Has anyone else experienced this? Can I have the car scanned and will they be able to diagnose the issue? It happened this afternoon, and I am hoping it is not a serious issue...
Any help is appreciated, and Thanks in advance.
Oh yeah, 2004 with 70k miles, 6 spd, in case that info is needed to diagnose. Thanks again.
#4
I just filled the car up with gas earlier in the day, and filled it with premium, as I always do... The plugs have less than 3k miles on them, and the coils and wires are not too old either. I will try to have it scanned tomorow.
#5
Also worth pointing out cjkim, the problem is consistent under those conditions... After running to redline under load it would give me the flashing CEL.
If it is a misfire and a plug is fouled, would this be covered under the mazda extended warranty for our vehicles?
If it is a misfire and a plug is fouled, would this be covered under the mazda extended warranty for our vehicles?
#7
High RPM + Flashing CEL = misfire. You need to change your coils. If you already changed your wires/spark plugs 3k or so ago, then start by only changing the ignition coils. Probably not covered under a warranty since it is a normal wear and tear part. Cost you about $120 for all four and about 10-20 minutes of your time to install.
#9
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I don't know that the aftermarket is making them. You can go to a local Mazda dealer to get them but shop around if you have more than one available. Some shops markup their parts more than others. Or you can get them online from a place like Mazmart and have them shipped to you. Getting them local gives you instant gratification and you pay sales tax. Getting them online will be cheaper, but requires you to wait and pay for shipping.
#10
mazmart and finishlineperformance have them for a good prce. I got mine from Mazda because I wanted them asap. It was like $130. If you buy them online you might be able to get them for like $100 or so after shipping.
#11
Thanks guys, I will make some calls today and see what I can find. I ran the engine a bit earlier, didnt get the flashing CEL anymore, but it still feels like it is not 100%... It could just be a mental block though...
Are there any tests I can run to make sure it is the coils? Money is tight ATM, and I want to make sure before I go spending money. Thanks again.
Are there any tests I can run to make sure it is the coils? Money is tight ATM, and I want to make sure before I go spending money. Thanks again.
#12
Thanks guys, I will make some calls today and see what I can find. I ran the engine a bit earlier, didnt get the flashing CEL anymore, but it still feels like it is not 100%... It could just be a mental block though...
Are there any tests I can run to make sure it is the coils? Money is tight ATM, and I want to make sure before I go spending money. Thanks again.
Are there any tests I can run to make sure it is the coils? Money is tight ATM, and I want to make sure before I go spending money. Thanks again.
Warm the car up for 10-20 minutes. Then, rev engine to HIGH and see if you get a flashing CEL. If yes, you need to replace the coils. Im sure there is some techincal test but I dont know it. If you are worried that wont fix it, then buy them from Mazda, install them, then see rev your engine high and see if you get the flashing cel and see if the car feels like it is running better.
Best case scenario, it works great. Worst case scenario, you immediatly take them off, give them a quick wipe down(just incase they got slightly dirty) and return them to mazda if they dont fix the issue.
#13
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Loss of top end power, misfires, Hard starts when the engine is hot could also be a sign of loss of compression. If coils wires and plugs don't fix it, A compression test would be up next on my list of things to look at.
#14
After more driving around today, starting the motor (either hot or cold) is difficult, it doesnt want to start, and struggles once it starts firing, gives a lot of sputtering and is very slow starting. I am getting the flashing CEL after everytime I run to redline in second gear, first gear I get it sometimes, but nto consistently like second gear. Power loss is all around, not just top end, but bottom end as well. Also, the engine note seems to sound different to me, but I dont know if it actually does or if this is a psychological effect because I think something is wrong...
#16
Heres the test to see if the coils need to be replaced.
Warm the car up for 10-20 minutes. Then, rev engine to HIGH and see if you get a flashing CEL. If yes, you need to replace the coils. Im sure there is some techincal test but I dont know it. If you are worried that wont fix it, then buy them from Mazda, install them, then see rev your engine high and see if you get the flashing cel and see if the car feels like it is running better.
Best case scenario, it works great. Worst case scenario, you immediatly take them off, give them a quick wipe down(just incase they got slightly dirty) and return them to mazda if they dont fix the issue.
Warm the car up for 10-20 minutes. Then, rev engine to HIGH and see if you get a flashing CEL. If yes, you need to replace the coils. Im sure there is some techincal test but I dont know it. If you are worried that wont fix it, then buy them from Mazda, install them, then see rev your engine high and see if you get the flashing cel and see if the car feels like it is running better.
Best case scenario, it works great. Worst case scenario, you immediatly take them off, give them a quick wipe down(just incase they got slightly dirty) and return them to mazda if they dont fix the issue.
use a multimeter or pull your plugs and look for any that are fouled.
#17
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Low compression would be great news. You're still covered under warranty for it. A fresh, new engine at 70K miles. Sure you'll need to give the car up for a week but they'll give you a loaner, and then your car will be strong as the day you first bought it. You might even want to go to the dealer before doing the coils and see if they will compression check it for you for free.
#18
Low compression would be great news. You're still covered under warranty for it. A fresh, new engine at 70K miles. Sure you'll need to give the car up for a week but they'll give you a loaner, and then your car will be strong as the day you first bought it. You might even want to go to the dealer before doing the coils and see if they will compression check it for you for free.
#19
Any more info on the MM test? What exactly am I checking for? Voltage drop across the 4 coils?
#20
#22
Well, I called the dealership...
The compression test is NOT free if that is not the problem... Which I think sounds like horse ****, and I might just call in to mazda coroprate and check that out... Also, the test would require me leaving the car there for a few days, which also sounds fishy to me.
Also, as an update, my CEL came on as a solid earlier this morning lol. Guess its time to do something before it takes out my cat or anything else.
The compression test is NOT free if that is not the problem... Which I think sounds like horse ****, and I might just call in to mazda coroprate and check that out... Also, the test would require me leaving the car there for a few days, which also sounds fishy to me.
Also, as an update, my CEL came on as a solid earlier this morning lol. Guess its time to do something before it takes out my cat or anything else.