VT_Wankel

I have a 2004 RX GT AT (no idea when it was made, I haven't looked). The CEL came on while I was drving the other day. I was doing a "spirited" run on a quite piece of highway. The tranny downshifted to third, I hit a quick pace and the CEL came on. My foot may have been on the floor. That was 3 days ago and it is still on. I checked the gas cap and it seemed tight. I took it off and put it back on (three clicks for sure this time) and I have started and stopped the engine several times. Still the CEL is there. Is there something I may have triggered by running wide open? I shifted to 4th and backed off when the CEL came on. I did not even hit 7000 RPM. I have an appointment at my "local" mazda dealer for Monday, but "local" is 75 miles away..... Other problems I have had are rough starts (takes 8 to 10 seconds to kick the motor over) and it flooded once (I let off the ignition on a long start and the motor turned over and then died). Surprisingly enough, the instructions from Mazda got it going again right away. Also it idles kind of rough in the cold (haven't really drivin it in warm weather yet).

Go48

The dealer will read the DTC error and do the necessary repairs whatever the problem is.

While you're there, make sure you mention the flood and ask for the no-start warranty service which should "encourage" them to install updated starter, battery and spark plugs. This makes a huge difference in starting. Print out the service bulletin at the link below and take it with you.
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...4-05-1448e.pdf

VT_Wankel

Any idea how long all this should take? Should I be looking forward to a week with no car? Thanks for the link, I will definately bring that with me when I drop it off.

Go48

The actual work listed in the no-start service bulletin can be done in less than an hour, assuming they have the parts on hand. You might want to call them today and inform them of the flooding problem and that you will be requesting the servce bulltein work. That way, if they are on top of things, they wil order any of the parts they don't have in stock so that the parts will be available Monday. Make sure they know the car is an AT. I believe the AT takes an updated starter that is different from the MT updated starter.

Have no idea on the work related to the CEL. Depends on what is causing it and whether or not they have the required parts in stock to make repairs. You might want to request a loaner car in case they have to order parts. In any case, I would think that unless they are very busy and barring a major problem with the car, they should be able get it back to you within a few days max.

VT_Wankel

Turns out the CEL was on because the enige was misfiring. I bought the car used and it seems the guy who had it before me was trying to maintain it himself. The dealership told me that there were rear plugs in for the front plugs and they were all pretty fouled. I had the crank no start service bulletin done and I got the new plugs. It does make a huge difference. The car definately starts better, idles better and drives better. I also had the PCM flashed to the latest version. The car goes like crazy now. I loved it when I got it and I love it even more now.

Go48

Good to hear all is well now. Thanks for the feedback!