Hi everyone,
I'm new here and I was wondering if anyone has any ideas on my car's problem because it is driving me insane. Forgive my lack of technical mumbo jumbo, I don't know much about cars, just how to drive them =)

Okay so it's an automatic1990 323 Astina, although on the receipt for it's visits to the Mazda dealer it says 1992. Not sure what that's about. Anyway, the hold light flashes a fair bit. Usually it starts after I have been driving for about 20-30 mins or after I have driven for that long and then parked somewhere, left the car and come back to it. It doesn't happen every time it gets driven for that period of time though. When the light flashes it has alot of trouble shifting through gears and revs really high, espeially when it's trying to switch from first to second just after taking off from a standing stop. I can usually tell if the hold light is about to start flashing because it starts doing this before the light even flashes.

The Mazda dealer did the following to it last time I took it in and told them about this problem. I have no idea what any of it means but I'm including it because it might rule out some problems for people who know what it means:
*Remedy leak at trans pan gasket
*R&R cross member R&R trans pan replaced and resealed, trans pan reassemble steam cleaned engine r/t rechecked all ok r/t.

So after that it was okay for a bit, but then it started doing the exact same thing again. Could be that they never fixed the problem in the first place? Or could it be a totally different problem with the transmission? I really don't want to buy a whole new transmission since the car is so old and I can't afford it. I took it to a transmission specialist and it started having its flashing and gear problems on the way there so it was doing it when they tried to pull the codes, and they said it wouldn't tell them the codes and I would have to take it back to the Mazda dealer.

I know 626's often have these problems but what about 323's? Any ideas what's going on or stories from people who have successfully rectified the same problem?

Thanx!

 

The hold light flashing is telling you that a problem has been detected and needs attention. The HOLD light is the transmission computers equal to the CEL for the engine computer. You should be able to tell what year your 323 is by looking at the 10th digit of the VIN or Vehicle Identification Number. VIN should be at lower left corner of dash board visible thru the windshield. 10th digit for 1990 will be the letter "L" and 1992 model will be the letter "N".
You need to determine what fault code is being set when the light starts flashing. To do this locate the DIAGNOSIS connector under the hood. US models have them in left rear area of engine compartment near the wiper motor. It will be a Black or Gray box with the letter DIAGNOSIS imprinted on the top. Open up this little box and you will see the connector. Onc the underside of the cover lists what each pin of the connector does. You want to either use a paper clip to short the TEN and GND pins together or use a jumper wire to short the TEN to a good ground connection. Now get inside and turn the key to the "RUN" position. This is when all of the dash warning lights come on not starting the engine just yet. The CEL or HOLD light should come on and then go off and will then start flashing. Count the number of flashes. Flashes of long duration are the tens digit and flashes of short duration are ones digit. Example would be 3 long flashes followed by 4 short flashes, and long pause and then repeat that pattern would be a code 34. Need that code number to know what the computer is trying to tell you.
It sounds like the "repair" made was only to fix an oil leak and not the driveability problem unless you fluid level is/waslow and that is the problem. See diagrams below for grounding TEN pin and reading the flashing light for a code.

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I didn't know you could tell the year that way, thanks! It's definately 1990, I was looking at thewarranty signedby the original owner and it says 1990 as the date on there.The dealer just has it wrong in their system I think.

Trivial information aside, thankyou so much for that. I hope the diagnosis connector is in the same place as on the US models (I'm in Australia). I'll show this to my dad so he can help me do it and see what it says.

Oh, does the hold light have to already be flashing in the first place to detect the code, or is the code still stored regardless of whether it has begun to flash on that particular day or not?

 

Codes should be stored for quite a while. Different ones vary by how long they are stored and why the computer might erase them however. Flashing or on would assure you that one was stored but try anytime.A few pics of location on US cars from further away and then closer.Would get a good close up but our shop camera is horrible if closer than 2 feet or so.[:@]
Orange "XX"s is the connector cover.

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Feitceria, I really enjoy this site and I find that there is alot of useful info. However, I was disappointed to see the profanity in your subject title. Don't wanna step on any toes,I just don't like to see that sort of stuff hereor anywhere as far as that goes.

 

I don't want to step on any toes either so I'll change it on my original post and my replies.If there's one person in here that's offended by that there's probably more. You'd think 13 years of Catholic schooling would remind me that sometimes others aren't so keen on taking the lord's name in vain.

 

lol sorry dbaty but do u give everyone **** for that ?? I mean no offence but it seems that you cant get away from that in the world.. I understand that if you may be religious that it may offend you, but its not you who is useing these words so its really not your problem...

 

Hello, my 323 BG 1992 refuses to give the motor power to the wheel. The HOLD light is blinking if i turn to 2 or 3. I connected TEN of the diagnostic port to ground but there is no reaction on the HOLD light ( if I turn on ignition the HOLD keeps dark, if i turn to 2 or 3 of the gear handle the HOLD starts blinking. What can I do?

 

In a public place or forum asking someone to watch their language is acceptable feedback. Expecting people to be able to converse in a socially acceptable manner is reasonable. GD, MF, etc. might express the person's frustration level or personality, but those words don't convey useful information and since I'm no longer in the Corps, I don't care to be around it anymore.

The writer came back with a fine apology and that was great. For those not offended or who don't object to any language, then still fine, for no one is offended by standard discourse.