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Last post on Mar 31, 2013 at 8:15 AM
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Mazda MAZDA6, Hatchback, Sedan, Wagon
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#2672 of 2858 Re: 2004 Mazda 6 Won't Start [krame00]
by xchikax
May 09, 2011 (5:36 pm)
I'm having a similar problem. When I turn the key, the dashboard lights flash and the needles spin. But, the lights on the stereo display/stereo itself do not turn on. When I turn the key back a click, the flashing lights stop but the stereo and display light up normally. Also, the passenger window won't go down using the master switch. It will go down with the passenger switch.
These problems come and go. Last time, they replaced the battery cable saying it was corroded. My car worked great for 6 months / 7k miles, and almost to the day 6 months later, it's happening again. This is driving me nuts. Thankfully I don't live very far from work and have AAA.
I have a 2007 Mazda 6 SVI.
#2673 of 2858 Re: 2004 Mazda 6 Won't Start [xchikax]
by krame00
May 09, 2011 (5:54 pm)
Hi there, with my car it turned out to be the sensor that tells the car that the clutch is depressed. I never replaced it, but quickly learned if I take my foot on and off of the clutch when the problem happens, the car starts with no issue. I still have the car, and it is hard to believe that it is 7 years old now. Love it.
If you have an automatic transmission, you might try moving it from park to drive a couple of times to see if it helps.
Khana
#2674 of 2858 Transmission Fluid Mantenance
by microrepair
May 17, 2011 (9:24 am)
I've got a 2009 M6i GT and it now has 30,500 miles. When I had the "spider" recall taken care of the dealer suggested it was time for a transmission flush. In checking the manual, there is no mention of any maintenance schedule for the transmission. And a call to Mazda USA didn't shed any light on it either; they had no idea what is recommended. They just suggested calling the dealer....!
Does anyone have reliable info on when or why the fluid should be changed/flushed?
Every car I've ever owned has had a recommendation for transmission maintenance in their owner's manual. What's up, Mazda???
#2675 of 2858 Re: Transmission Fluid Mantenance [microrepair]
by Mr_Shiftright HOST
May 17, 2011 (9:37 am)
I'd register on the Mazda USA owner's site and they'll give you all the info you'll need for your particular car and mileage.
https://www.mymazda.com/MusaWeb/displayOwnersHome.action
I'm personally okay with a fluid and filter change at 30K but not a "flush"--that sounds like overkill and could cause more problems than it pretends to solve.
#2676 of 2858 Re: Transmission Fluid Mantenance [Mr_Shiftright]
by la4mead
May 17, 2011 (10:00 am)
I agree with Mr. Shiftright: No mention of maint. for the tranny means drive it till it needs to be replaced/rebuilt, increasingly more common on modern cars.
I'd always get the tranny serviced (most fluid with the filter and gasket). It doesn't flush out all fluid, but that's what might be overkill. It also means that it can't cause any trouble if something's brewing, and the tranny mechanic can see the magnetic pan and filter to check for early warning of any potential wear problems. Many dealers won't bother to "service" transmissions any longer in favor of higher-profit "flush". I don't go to the dealer for that. I've been taking my cars to a local, trusted tranny mechanic. Check your manual first for the correct fluid type. Most places only carry generic types (although yours may call for that, I'm not sure).
#2677 of 2858 Re: Transmission Fluid Mantenance [microrepair]
by lrota
May 17, 2011 (12:11 pm)
BE VERY CAREFUL about someone trying to sell you a transmission flush even if it is at a dealer or an oil change service shop.
I read somewhere that some of the flushing machines filter the transmission fluid.
The problem is that sometimes these filters remove certain additives in the ATF fluid. This was especially the case with Honda's ATF. In my case, the flush was done on a Honda Accord with about 100K miles....by about 130K miles I started to have gear noise.
I much prefer to avoid ATF flush and just drain and refill. If you are really worried about the fluid that usually remains in AT, then just repeat the drain and refill.
Personally, I went with a Mazda 6i GT with manual transmission because I wanted to have no problems with AT. It seems that most customer complaints these days about cars are about the AT.
#2678 of 2858 Re: Transmission Fluid Mantenance [Mr_Shiftright]
by microrepair
May 17, 2011 (2:03 pm)
I logged into the owner's site and they did not say anything about the tranny; but they didn't know I had 30,500 on the car; they thought it only had 23,000.
I just got off the phone with my local mechanic of 15 years who stays up on the latest info and he does NOT recommend a complete flush on the newer cars due to lots of new internal parts like one-way valves, electronics, etc. He says that the newer trannys can go 60K miles with just a simple drain and filter change (some now have two filters).
So guess what my plan is? I'll take a look at the fluid if I can and if it isn't too dark, I'll wait to drain it until near the 60K mark..
Thanks for all the feedback folks.. Just saved $219 at the dealer..!!
May 17, 2011 (2:13 pm)
Last year I had the CD changer on my 09 Mazda6i replaced in August 2010 because when a CD had played about halfway, the sound would start to break up and within 20 seconds it would no longer play that CD. If I changed to the next CD in the changer unit, it would play fine until about halfway through the CD. This would repeat for all 6 discs. It seemed to be worse in the summer, but the new CD deck started doing the same thing (but not as often) when the cold weather came. Now with the warm weather it is getting to be routine again.
Even though it should still be covered under the 12 month replacement warranty, it doesn't seem like it is the head unit itself, but maybe something else. Any ideas on what the problem might be?
BTW, it makes no difference whether the CD is store bought or one that I burned; they all behave the same.
#2680 of 2858 Re: Transmission Fluid Mantenance [microrepair]
by jkobty2
May 18, 2011 (10:34 am)
I already changed mine at 30K miles. did it myself. NEVER do a flush or let anyone open the transmission. they are more likely to cause harm than good.
If you drain and refill the fluid regularly, you do not even need to worry about replacing any filter.
The procedure is very simple.
1. Buy a 4 litres of a good quality transmission fluid compatible with Mazda. I used Mobile Super multi ATF which clearly states it is compatible with Mazda Mercon V
2. Lift the car and remove the plastic bottom cover.
3. The transmission pan is black in color and has a drain plug that if I remember correctly uses an 8mm allen key.
4. Remove the drain plug and collect the fluid in a container that can measure the collected fluid level.
5. When the fluid stops flowing you would have collected about 3.5 liters.
6. Close the drain plug then refill with exact amount collected.
7. If you really want to over do it, then drive the car for a few minutes, then repeat the steps.
What I usually do is drain and replace at 30K and then every summer after that, keep the oil clean and no one will ever need to open your transmission.
FYI, at 30K miles the fluid color was similar color to a fresh engine oil, that is it lost its red/pink color but was not too dirty,
#2681 of 2858 Re: Transmission Fluid Mantenance [microrepair]
by ericzoom
May 18, 2011 (11:25 am)
I've already done 3 drain-refills using Redline D4 on my 04' 6s since i bought it new over 7 yrs. ago. That, combined with a ATX cooler and a shot of Lubeguard Red, has had my ATX running great.