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Mazda MPV: Problems & Solutions - READ ONLY

4469 messages,  Last post on Oct 27, 2006 at 9:04 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MPV, Van

Messages Page 321 of 448

#3195 of 4469 Is the synthetic oil helpful? by bigdadi

Nov 19, 2003 (6:52 pm)

Replying to: tomj5 (Nov 26, 2003 8:18 am)
#2133 of 6943  Mobil 1 synthetic transmission fluid by mainsail2   Sep 01, 2001 (3:12 pm) If any of you have noticed "sluggish" shifting the first several minutes of your drive, I'm happy to report that the Mobile 1 synthetic appears to be helping. I had it installed using the "flush" system (took 14-15 quarts), at K-Mart/Penske for $125.00 (including tax), which I thought was a pretty good deal. I had other quotes all the way up to $180.00 plus tax. I have 19,000 miles on the car and was told that with the synthetic, I can probably go 30,000 between changes as the Mobil 1 will handle the Florida heat better than stock fluid.
 
Thanks to javadoc and cmuniz for the information about the fog lamps. I'll look at the Hellas just for the heck of it and try negotiating with the service manager at Mazda of Clearwater to see if I can get them down to a reasonable installation price.
 
#2096 of 6943  Synthetic transmission fluid by mainsail2   Aug 23, 2001 (12:00 pm) I want to use Mobil I synthetic tranny fluid in my 2000 MPV to smooth out the cold shifting, but the dealer tells me that Mazda does not have a list of approved products, and is still calling for the Dexron II specified in the Mazda manual. Does anyone have an experience with this or know whether the use of synthetic would void the warranty in the event of a transmission problem? Does the synthetic help smooth out the shifting?
#2097 of 6943  mainsail2, by javadoc   Aug 23, 2001 (12:42 pm)
 
My local dealership offers a synthetic atf for their cars (I forget the brand offhand, but I'd never heard of it...it wasn't Dexron tho). I had them install Redline D4 aft (approved as a Dexron II/III/IV replacement per their literature) and the service manager didn't have a problem with the product at all. I think you have a service manager that might not be in the know, or maybe just doesn't want to do this for you...tho some sm's are sticklers for only using OEM products.
 
#419 of 6943  synthetic tranny oil by caniel   Sep 19, 2000 (3:10 am) I decided to go with the Mobil 1 tranny lubricant because I'm concerned about the longevity of the transmission - it seems a bit strained saddled to the somewhat underpowered 2.5 duratec. Also, we made a big mistake IMHO in not opting for the 4 Seasons package - which with the transmission cooler would provide some additional protection. I honestly believe that the transmission shifts more smoothly since the Mobil 1. I'm also glad to know that, since the Mobil 1 won't get so thick in winter weather (coming soon to central Pennsylvania) the tranny should fare better. Since it cost about $150 to have it done, it's possible that my observations of improvement are simply wishful fantasty. I can tell you this - When I travel on hills (and there are a lot of them around here) the tranny does not shift around as much as it did before. This is a big relief. It could be, however, that as things are really "breaking in" and I'm getting more accustomed to learning the "style" of driving the van, I'm sensing a change that isn't really objectively there or would be there even if I hadn't switched to the Mobil 1. fyi - we currently have 6000 miles on the van. I switched to Mobil 1 in the motor and tranny at about 5700. Hope this helps.
Cheers!

#3196 of 4469 Hard shift 2-3, mazda can't fix it, and now won't try. by svmazda

Nov 21, 2003 (1:57 pm)

Replying to: tomj5 (Nov 26, 2003 8:18 am)
We have a 2002 MPV that started this shift problem as intermittant and progressed to as soon as it warmed up it would do it. When it's bad it's like doing a tranny drop into 3rd. The Dealer replaced the TCM, then flashed it with an update, then had to go back to older software because it was WORSE. Then they (and the regional mazda service manager, refused to work on it because they didn't know how to fix it. I had to take the dealership manager for a ride to prove that it is actually dangerous (I have had it slip a on wet road, what happens when it snows?). He convinced the svc manager to give us a rental. So my van is sitting at the dealer while they figure out how to fix this. My question is, if it's driven by software, then what is the outside factor causing it take a bad software branch? I've had nothing but problems with mine including the whole wiring harness replaced because they couldn't figure out why the 4th cylinder started to miss (three tow jobs). I would hope mazda would do the stand up thing and extend the warranties because I think this has probably hurt the life of the engine.

#3197 of 4469 svmazda by bigdadi

Nov 21, 2003 (7:22 pm)

Replying to: tomj5 (Nov 26, 2003 8:18 am)
Would it be under lemon law so to force mazda to buy back the van?

#3198 of 4469 Hard shift by bill124

Nov 21, 2003 (8:11 pm)

Replying to: tomj5 (Nov 26, 2003 8:18 am)
I would encourage all of you with this problem to post your problem with the National Highway Traffic Safety Admin. They do keep track of these, particularly if it gets to the point of being a hazard. That affects not only you but other drivers as well. With only 200 miles on the '03, I don't know if I have this problem. I guess I'll find out. No such problem with the '00.

#3199 of 4469 Shift by tomj5

Nov 22, 2003 (8:49 am)

Replying to: tomj5 (Nov 26, 2003 8:18 am)
I have been following the shift problem and have noticed that the dealers are waiting for the "magic" software that will do the fix..(Cheap fix)
 
1. My 03MPV(10K miles) shifts perfectly with the "old" software. (Never had a bad shift)
2. Problem sounds like particle contamnation of the tranny.
3. The dealer should do a back flush and filter change to clean out any contamnation particles in the tranny. (this is expensive with labor, parts and oil).. They don't want to do it...
4. Honda does three back flushes for hard shifting trannies and it cures the problem...
 
Tj

#3200 of 4469 Hard shift 2-3, mazda can't fix it, and now won't try. by svmazda

Nov 24, 2003 (2:44 pm)

Replying to: tomj5 (Nov 26, 2003 8:18 am)
This is the fourth time at least for me bringing it in for the tranny. I think there were more but I believe I lost a service receipt or two where they couldn't find a problem (when it was intermittent at first). MN Lemon Law says if after four unsuccessful repair attempts, you send them a certified letter saying this is it or you invoke the law. If I get to that point I most certainly will, but what if they simply quit trying to fix it? They didn't do a flush to it. The regional service manager said the hard shift was good for it (honest to god). I will try the National Highway Traffic Safety Admin as suggested above.

#3201 of 4469 Transmission Problem -- Tentative Fix by dan2004

Nov 24, 2003 (4:01 pm)

Replying to: tomj5 (Nov 26, 2003 8:18 am)
On my troublesome 2004, I sucked out the old fluid and replaced with Valvoline Dextron III - Mecron Maxlife. This is a silghtly souped up fluid which is still compatible with the new car warrantee and is the type specified for the MPV.
 
I used a vaccuum pump that I normally use for my boat and is available at all Boat US and West Marine stores (carefully cleaning the suction hose with tranny fluid to remove all contaminants).
 
The fluid replacement is not complete since there is still fluid in the torque converter, but exchanged about 13 quarts in three cycles so I estimate I have about 70% new fluid.
 
The change in shifting was immediate -- the tranny is far smoother and more responsive than before and so far there is none of the hard slamming that occasionally happened from 2-3. I have about 60 miles on the new fluid so far.
 
For those attempting this, the Valvoline Maxlife ATF is available at Walmart for $2.44 per quart. Also be very careful to follow instuctions on how to measure ATF fluid level--after engine is warm, idle for 2 minutes then run trans through PRND32. The while still idling in Park, check level (hot scale). Its difficult to read the scale so be careful.
 
I will keep everyone posted to see if this is truely the solution.

#3202 of 4469 TRANSMISSION PROBLEM by beansie

Nov 24, 2003 (5:03 pm)

Replying to: tomj5 (Nov 26, 2003 8:18 am)
I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT THE HARD SHIFTING FROM 2 TO 3 ON THE 2003 MPV. WE HAVE BEEN HAVING THE TROUBLE ON OURS WHEN IT SHIFTS FROM 1 TO 2. WE HAVE THE AUTOMATIC TRANNY. WE ARE ALSO HAVING A PROBLEM WITH HESITATION. IT STARTED HAPPENING BETWEEN 45-50MPH AND NOW IT IS HAPPENING BETWEEN 35-40 AS WELL IS ANYONE HAVING THAT PROBLEM. WE HAVE HAD THE TRANNY WORKED ON 3 TIMES. TWICE THEY TRIED AN UPDATE. WE ONLY HAVE 3800 MILES ON THE VAN. THIS LAST TIME THEY TOLD US THAT MAZDA WAS WORKING ON ANOTHER UPDATE THAT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2004

#3203 of 4469 Stevie by tomj5

Nov 24, 2003 (5:46 pm)

Replying to: tomj5 (Nov 26, 2003 8:18 am)
You owe me a beer....
Flushes will fix tranny problem....
Congrats dan2004 for having the guts to do it yourself...
Sounds like Mazda has refused to pay the dealers for a flush...
 
Tj

#3204 of 4469 Is it me?? by lsinc

Nov 25, 2003 (5:36 am)

Replying to: tomj5 (Nov 26, 2003 8:18 am)
Ok, I'm not pointing fingers or trying to start anything. I have a simple question. Why is a hard shift condusive to tranny problems? A failing tranny does just that, it fails. Maybe I'm the fool but I have not brought my MPV in for the hard shift. I don't feel it is an issue.
 
I guess for me it's that I've had some true lemons in my life that my MPV is a joy to drive. There are so many of us on this board with the same issue that I find it hard to believe that this is a "failing tranny" issue. It's more of an annoyance just like the sulfer smell.
 
Well, when someone finds the "perfect" minivan would they let me know?
 
Leslie

Messages Page 321 of 448

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