I have a 2006 Mazda 5, sport model, automatic transmission.
I would like some advice on the transmission. I bought the Mazda 5 used from a private seller in Dec 2021. It is in very good condition, including the engine, about 96,000 miles, but the transmission has problems. Starting cold in the morning, put it in drive, and the transmission slips, exhibiting delayed engagement. It takes about 4 minutes sitting at idle to warm up, and then it no longer slips, engages fine, and drives perfect. Using reverse is a little better. It would engage in reverse within 2 to 3 minutes. Note this is Hawaii, and so the weather is always around 70 to 85 degrees. I tried changing the transmission fluid. Drained and filled 3 times, taking it for a drive in between, and on the 3rd time changed the filter, too. This helped very slightly at first, but then it didn't. Same symptom of 4 min. of delay. Tried adding a little Lucas Transmission fix, and it again slightly improved at first, not much, and then went back to 4 min. of delay. Occasionally, about 1/4 of the time, when driving forward after the 4 min., the AT light came on the instrumental panel and the transmission acted a little irregular. The solution was to pull over, stop and re-start, and then it would drive fine, with no AT light on. Checked for codes using different scanners, but there was no codes. No leakage of fluid, and the level of fluid was o.k. Then at the end of Feb, when driving with 6 people in the car, the problem got worse. While driving, the AT light came on. Pulled over to stop and restart, but it would not go off. I had to continue driving to get home, about 12 miles. The next day, I found the ATF fluid had leaked out. I tried to fill with more fluid, but when starting the engine, the fluid immediately leaked badly, from between the torque converter (TC) area and the engine. Could no longer drive the vehicle. Since then, I have taken the transmission out of the vehicle. I found that the main seal for the TC came off. I found it loose on the TC shaft. This is obviously why all the fluid leaked out so easily. I am seeking advice on what caused the two problems, first the delayed engagement, and then the failure of the seal. Meanwhile, I am bringing the transmission to a shop to rebuild it. Hope this fixes all the problems.

 

Bad TCM?

 

May 2022. Got the transmission back from the shop, installed it, and the car runs fine now. The shop said the delay problem was definitely caused by some worn, damaged parts in the transmission, and so the only solution was to rebuild. It cost about $2,400, but I am thankful the problem was correctly diagnosed and fixed, and am glad to have the car back. Also, the shop gave a 3 year warranty on their work.