2021 Mazda3 - If I forget to put my car in park and turn it off, the engine shuts down but the instrument panel stays up and it tells me that I am not in park. So I put it in park, but it still not happy. To turn everything off, I have to restart the car after I put it in park and then turn it off. I assumed putting it in park even after I shut it down would be good enough, but this actually killed my battery one night because I didn't turn it back on, and then off after I put it in park. It only has 8K miles on it. Is this normal behavior? Larry

 

I had same problem. It was a defective switch in shifter. The plunger wore and would not make contact to open aux circuits. There is a video online to guide replacement. Took me under 2 hours; part cost $75 from Alabama dealer. MM Mazda rep said shifter had to be replaced at $650 - liar, liar, pants on fire. There is a Mazda bulletin all dealers have been sent with the repair procedure.

 

Welcome to the forum

If it is at 8k miles then we can assume that your Mazda is still under warranty. Therefore, this problem should be directly addressed to your Mazda dealership.

I would however advise that you get your battery load tested ASAP

 

So your Mazda was like possibly the OPs which hos may still be under warranty?
As for the Mazda service department indicating a full replacement of the shifter without full details of what they found don't you think its unfair to assume they were lying to you?
What a lot of owners and NON-Service trained individuals (DIY and home garage self taught mechanics) never seem to understand is that we are under scrutiny on some services that could be under the definition of safety service work. So Some minor repairs on a complete unit may seem more reasonable to a DIY it may not be the case in a legal sense who would be responsible if something failed by not a full replacement of a operating part or system.
Also curious as to why you did not mention entertaining getting an estimate and or confirming the issue at an independent service shop if you have have so much negaticvitiy towards a dealerships service department?

 

I had taken the vehicle into Mazda and the techs evaluated the problem. The service manager emphatically told me it was not possible to replace the part - he said the whole shifter must be replaced at $650. Afterward my buddy & I went online & found the remedy. Why would the manager tell me this when he had a companywide bulletin explaining the procedure to be followed close at hand? The defective part, worn out too soon, was replaced with one of a superior design not prone to the same wear. The warranty period had expired. My opinion of the rep was based on being led that ‘repair’ of the shifter was not an option and a second Mazda dealer willingly offered to provide me the part. I even obtained a copy of the bulletin with the procedure to install as well. I’m not bashing the car or the whole company.
The key here is the switch in the shifter is the likely culprit and there are two choices to remedy the problem. I chose the least expensive as the mechanical parts of the shifter mechanism were fine.

 

Well honestly it is one sided story that is common on forum...
I couldn't begin to think why so many service writers seem to do this across the nation and in other countries. But as I said I rarely get a member to post the actual service estimate in detail?
Now you claim that there is a TSB??? what was the TSB number? I cant find it that fits your Mazda? But then I also don't have your VIN. And I didn't spend much time looking on my TSB data account I have with Mazda corp.
Unless it is worded such in a safety recall or general service part replacement as a part that wear prematurely calling any part defective is subjective mostly by DIY and owners of vehicles. But again without reading the documentation from Mazda crop (not the dealer) then unless you are an automotive engineer not sure how you qualify to make that description. IDK are you an engineer?
For you it was remedied and serviced by you and your friend. Not all DIY have even basic skills to do this task so better information, or I should suggest more complete information based on Mazda service recommendation and procedure out lined in a factory service manual is always a better choice to follow. And not youtube or non-Mazda service procedures.
I also compared the labor time for what you did vs the complete assembly and that may be why your Mazda choose the complete unit???

No mind you all this is mostly academic without all the information.

I repeat I am pleased to read that you personally were able to repair your own Mazda. You are above average for a DIY!

 

I regret not having kept the TSB, so I do not have its identifying number. This problem had occurred two years ago this past summer. I followed the video we (a buddy) found online when replacing the component, referring to it probably a dozen times, back and forth from the computer and garage. The hardware arrangement was a bit different but not much of a hurdle. Whether subjective or not, the part had worn out. I would rather not beat this subject around any longer. 10-4

 

** as well


Good thread for you to read!

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