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I hired a mobile mechanic to try to replace my AIR solenoid to fix my P2259 OBD-II Trouble Code: Secondary Air Injection System Control B Circuit Low error.
I've had this code for over 2 years and have been able to get it to go away during inspections by unplugging/cleaning etc and getting a little lucky that it didn't trip while I was in there. After buying the part, I became a bit too overwhelmed by the process to handle it myself, worrying I would break something. I needed a lot of other work done, so I wanted to get this fixed while I was at it.
Anywho, The mechanic tells me that he can't get the UIM off because the bolt behind the gas cap is spinning. Apparently he said it connects to nut and he can see it spin but it won't come off. His only suggesting was to take a drill and burn through it, but he didn't feel great about that idea, and neither did I. I messed around with it after he left and sure enough it just spins in either direction
Has anyone encountered this problem or maybe could provide a little more context as to what he was talking about? Am I looking at a new UIM here or are we overlooking something?
Last edited by bullbuchanan; 08-22-2017 at 05:37 PM.
Man, I love my car, but the amount of cheap, garbage-quality plastic that is in this thing is infuriating. To my knowledge those bolts have never been touched, unless mazda did it when they replaced the engine.
I guess the problem here is that the bolt won't lift out, and even if it did, doesn't seem very safe to put a grinder in there to snap the bolt head off. I know the dealership charges upwards of $600 to replace the solenoid, and they probably will want to tell me I need to replace the UIM because the nut came loose.
He doesnt even have to take those two bolts off. If he unbolts the other bolts and the two ends where the lower piece mounts the whole thing can be taken off together. It just takes some long 1/4" extensions and a flex head coupling to get to some of the bolts which any half respecting mechanic should have and recognize. Once it's off it will be easier to fix the bolt with the loose insert because he will have direct access to that end. Finding a used lower piece to replace it should be easy. I have several, but will be out of town for the next 8 days.
I've owned mine from new since 2005 and done most of my own work including several full drivetrain tear downs and not really ever had any of the issues some people seem to be tormented by. IMO it's not the car.
He doesnt even have to take those two bolts off. If he unbolts the other bolts and the two ends where the lower piece mounts the whole thing can be taken off together. It just takes some long 1/4" extensions and a flex head coupling to get to some of the bolts which any half respecting mechanic should have and recognize. Once it's off it will be easier to fix the bolt with the loose insert because he will have direct access to that end. Finding a used lower piece to replace it should be easy. I have several, but will be out of town for the next 8 days.
I've owned mine from new since 2005 and done most of my own work including several full drivetrain tear downs and not really ever had any of the issues some people seem to be tormented by. IMO it's not the car.
Oh wow, didn't even know you could leave it assembled. Thanks for the tip - I'll have to lok through the DIY more closely. Maybe I'll try my hand at it this weekend or give him a call back and see if that's something we could do. If I could get it all off without that, might not even make sense to replace it.
08-22-2017, 05:14 PM
