Tracking an electrical issue
 

'92 Mazda MX-3 (4cyl)

Issues:

• "Hold" light periodically flashes
• Seatbelt alarm/light periodically comes on
• AC compressor is getting no power
• One of the cooling fans is not coming on
• A 15amp fuse fried my 20amp testor

I took it to a shop. There computer could not read ANYTHING - no codes no nothing. They did jump the AC compressor and it works fine so there seems to be a short somewhere. Which of these would be best to start with?

The seatbelt problem is always the center retractor. One of the cooling fans only runs with the A/C on so fixing the compressor issue should solve that. The hold light coming on should store a code in the TCM. There is a 1 pin terminal under the hood you can ground then count the flashs of the hold light to get a code. The compressor not coming on will have to be traced with a test light.

Finally, back to the hold light:

1) Trouble codes found:
1a) 25 - Solenoid valve (pressure regulator)
1b) 62 - 3-4 shift solenoid valve

Where might these bad boys be located? The Haynes manual is next to useless. How difficult to replace?

Also, could an overfilled transaxle cause this? It does not happen all the time.

Still looking.:eek:

I bet they're in the valve body, inside the transmission's fluid pan. It controls the transmission. New valve bodies are expensive!

over-filled transaxle might cause that, I can't say for sure. If it's leaking fluid and the codes are showing up after you fill it up, or shortly thereafter, maybe... Or possibly when the fluid level drops a little too far...
Have you changed the filter and fluid, or had it flushed?