2005 check engine light problems! HELP!
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2005 check engine light problems! HELP! - 7/2/2008 1:54:19 PM
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freelyfallin
Posts: 1
Joined: 7/2/2008
Status: offline
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Hey all,
About a month ago, I got a 2005 Mazda 3 Hatchback. The Check engine light has gone off in total about 4 times. Once, there was actually a problem(maybe the emission control valve or something?). The other times, it was a fluke and there was no code recorded. So anyway, I thought those problem was solved last Friday because the dealership rebooted the "black box" that controls those codes, but the CEL went on again yesterday. According to them, the next step would be to replace that black box. So here are some questions:
1) Is the "black box"(not sure of it''s technical name) definitely causing the CEL to go off for no reason? I''m afriad that this is a problem intrinsic to the car that will not go away. I''m worried that even if the black box was replaced, the CEL will continue to go off. Essentially, I''m afraid the car''s a lemon.
2) The dealership said that I shouldn''t go to an auto repair shop to have them read the code because they can delete it etc. Is this good advice? Right now, I am 70 miles away from a mazda dealership, and I''d like to be able to know what''s wrong without having to drive all that way(I won''t be able to make it to the dealership for at least a week).
3) How long will it take to replace the black box? Do you think that it could happen while I wait if I arrange it with them beforehand? I''d like to, as the dealership is so far away from me.
4) Should I be concerned about driving with the CEL on(for perhaps even a month or so)? Assuming it is driving normally, etc.
Thanks a lot
Matt
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RE: 2005 check engine light problems! HELP! - 7/2/2008 5:50:14 PM
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virgin1
Posts: 4846
Joined: 3/15/2007
Status: offline
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Matt,
I am taking my ''04 in for the second time in a week tomorrow for the same issue.
The "black box" is generally known as the ECU (Electronic Control Unit,) but Mazda seems to call it a PCM (Programmable Control Module,) and it should only take minutes to replace, unless they have to re-flash it, which I''m told could take 1.5hrs to download the new software into it.
After mine was in overnight from Monday to Tuesday, the CEL came on after only 25.2 miles of driving and I''m only a little better now than I was then. The car does run better now than before, but the light is driving me crazy.
I will write back after I get home again tomorrow and let you know the short-term outcome.
_____________________________
 "There is no tool you can buy that will replace experience." - Josh Mills, C.K.DeLuxe
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RE: 2005 check engine light problems! HELP! - 7/4/2008 11:33:41 AM
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UrbanmanUSA
Posts: 551
Joined: 2/19/2007
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: freelyfallin
2) The dealership said that I shouldn''''t go to an auto repair shop to have them read the code because they can delete it etc. Is this good advice? Right now, I am 70 miles away from a mazda dealership, and I''''d like to be able to know what''''s wrong without having to drive all that way(I won''''t be able to make it to the dealership for at least a week).
4) Should I be concerned about driving with the CEL on(for perhaps even a month or so)? Assuming it is driving normally, etc.
Thanks a lot
Matt
Of course the dealer does not want you to go to an auto repair shop that is not them - they do not want to lose your business!
As is indicated in the article below, some auto parts stores will read and interpret the code at no charge. If I was experiencing frustration with the dealer, that is what I would do.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/news/2005/what-to-do-if-the-check-engine-light-goes-on-1205/overview/
What I know works is, disconnect the battery for five minutes, then reconnect it. This will reset your CEL (turn it off), and may even reset your ECU (I have heard the ECU resets itself if it is disconnected from the battery for more than a couple of minutes). If the problem is real (or your ECU is wonky), the light will come back on. It''s not like you''ll lose anything.
_____________________________
''07 3i touring, 1999cc, auto, srs side bags, abs, runnin dino 5w30
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