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Mazda MPV Electrical System/Lights

73 messages,  Last post on Dec 27, 2012 at 2:57 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MPV, Electrical, Van

Messages Page 1 of 8

#2 of 73 I need help. by questionmark

Aug 16, 2006 (3:36 pm)

Hi, i'm new here. I just want to ask a question
I bought a 2002 Mazda MPV LX. The previous owner drives around 3000 miles per month, so the van has very high milage (146000 miles)
I found out the "check engine" alert is light.
I talked to the mechanic and I was told it was just the sensor's problem, no big deal. Can anyone tell me is it true? How to solve the problem?

#3 of 73 Re: I need help. [questionmark] by backy

Aug 16, 2006 (3:49 pm)

Replying to: questionmark (Aug 16, 2006 3:36 pm)
A check engine light could be caused by a faulty or fouled sensor. The fix is to clean or replace the sensor.

#4 of 73 Re: I need help. [backy] by questionmark

Aug 16, 2006 (5:13 pm)

Replying to: backy (Aug 16, 2006 3:49 pm)
thanks for telling me that, can u please tell me is it expensive to change the sensor for that? Can i do it myself?

#5 of 73 Re: I need help. [questionmark] by backy

Aug 16, 2006 (5:23 pm)

Replying to: questionmark (Aug 16, 2006 5:13 pm)
If doing mechanical work on a modern V6 engine doesn't bother you, sure, why not. I have no idea how much the part is. Most engines have more than one sensor--first you'd need to figure out which one. Labor cost varies a lot depending on if you use a dealer or other mechanic.
 
Maybe someone who has replaced one of these sensors on an MPV can reply and give you more details. Personally, I would not mess with it and would take it to the dealer (the fact my 2002 MPV has a bumper-to-bumper warranty with 0 deductible until 2011 is a big factor there).

#6 of 73 Re: I need help. [backy] by jipster

Aug 16, 2006 (5:30 pm)

Replying to: backy (Aug 16, 2006 5:23 pm)
Would you mind sharing some info on who you got your extended warranty from and for how much?

#7 of 73 Re: I need help. [jipster] by backy

Aug 16, 2006 (6:54 pm)

Replying to: jipster (Aug 16, 2006 5:30 pm)
The warranty is from Ultimate Warranty Corp. I got it when I bought my van last April from a used-car dealer (not Mazda). The cost is a little tough to figure, since I was negotiating with them on the total cost including the warranty, and the final cost including warranty was about $1000 less than their initial asking price for both the car and warranty. But officially, according to the contract, the warranty cost $1,114. It's for five years from date of purchase (to April 2011) or 100k miles, whichever comes first (the van had 44,500 miles on it when I bought it). I put 9-10,000 miles a year on it, and plan to keep it for no more than five years, so the terms were just right for me. It is bumper-to-bumper, zero deductible, and includes rental car coverage and (for the first two years) roadside assistance.
 
I haven't had to use it yet, and I hope I don't have to, but I figure one problem with the powertrain (which seems pretty common in the MPVs) will more than pay for the warranty.

#8 of 73 Re: I need help. [backy] by jipster

Aug 16, 2006 (7:24 pm)

Replying to: backy (Aug 16, 2006 6:54 pm)
That's a pretty good price for five years no deductable. I looked at warranty.direct about a year ago...it may have been around $1,600 for 4 years/0 deductable.
 
We just hit 20k in our 2004 MPV LX(bought in July 2004) I believe our dealer said we had 1,000 miles before manufacturer warranty ran out to extend warranty. Can't really decide to go for the extended warranty or not. I think if the warranty was extended at the price that Toyota Siennas warranties go for, around $800 7yr/70k/0 deduc...it would make the decision a lot easier.
 
I haven't really read that many complaints about problems with the MPV's powertrain. The ones I have read are usually dealing with the transmission shifting hard and reflash not working. I haven't read many that the transmission had failed or needed to be rebuilt/ replaced. The Ford Duratec 3.0 engine...can't recall any complaints(on reliability).

#9 of 73 Re: I need help. [jipster] by backy

Aug 16, 2006 (8:06 pm)

Replying to: jipster (Aug 16, 2006 7:24 pm)
If the tranny on my MPV shifted hard, I would consider that a problem. Maybe if someone pays for the repairs, my Mazda dealer would hop right on it?

#10 of 73 Re: I need help. [questionmark] by dtownfb

Aug 17, 2006 (1:54 pm)

Replying to: questionmark (Aug 16, 2006 3:36 pm)
any time your check engine light comes on, it leaves a code in the computer. The best thing to do is take the van to an auto parts store like Advance Auto parts, Pep boys, Auto Zone, etc. They can read the code for you and give you a print out for FREE (a dealer will charge at least $60 for this). Just tell them that your van has the "check Engine Light" come on. It will take about 5 minutes tops. Then post the code on this forum and I am sure someone will be able to help diagnose the problem. This way you wil know if it something you need to take care of right away.
 
there are too many things that could go wrong to even guess what the issue could or how much it costs. Once you get the code, others can help determine what is wrong.
 
Good luck.

Messages Page 1 of 8

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