So... sevargmt... may I ask how often you use your AC system in the car?

 

Basically I never turn it off... I have the Grand Touring with the automatic climate control so I either turn the temp up or down depending on what I need but otherwise leave it on.

 

I took my Mazda3 into the dealership this past Saturday (10/16) and left it for them to figure out my problem. On Monday (10/18) they called me to say it was definitely the junction box and that it would be repaired free of charge -- even though my warranty has expired. This will be the 3rd junction box on my car... On Wednesday (10/20) they called and said my car was ready to go. I picked it up yesterday evening (10/21) and all is well. The cashier was the only one on duty at the time so she had no explanation of what was causing these failed junction boxes but asked me to call back today and speak with the service adviser, which I haven't done yet. I suspect there is possibly a leak of some sort (a/c condensate or possibly from the windshield) so I am planning on wrapping plastic around the junction box in the next couple of days. Everything is running well now. I was very pleased in that there was not one bit of drama or arguing over my expired warranty. I *DID* get a receipt for this latest work that will be filed with the other two junction box replacement receipts.

Thanks for everyone's help!

 

Glad to hear they got it replaced with no fuss - though you can see it is an easy replacement at least, coulple connectors and you're done... Though did replace the connector / contacts that got corroded as well?

The reason I asked about the AC will be obvious when you go poking around that connector location. The condenser lines for the AC run right next to the PJB (within 1/2") and it would be very easy for the atmosphere to be chilly there to cause condensation... or to have the foam get soaked that is covering stuff there and run down the wiring.
Have a look and put in a sheet of plastic over the PJB - good luck and i'm glad I could assist.

Dave

 

Registered for this forum just so i could say thanks for the posters and information contained in this thread. Dealership tried to tell me it was $900 for a new junction block + $400 labor to reprogram it for my 2004 Mazda 3. I found a working junction block on ebay for $80 though!

Hopefully the dealership will help install it, but what "reprogramming" really needs to happen? The replacement block i got is the exact same year/model, seems like you could just hook it up.

 

None that I'm aware of. It should be a passive link (simple connector,) not an active one, therefore no programming should be required... but that's based on what I know about it and I could be wrong.

 

Unfortunately I can't get a straight answer from the dealership Instead of being honest with me they are giving me a line about "reprogramming" and extra labor costs. Thanks for the info though virgin1. I might just try it myself over the weekend :/

 

Hi,

Did you swapped PJB yourself?