Yay! My First CEL

[Zubbie]

Wow, I feel like a real modder now.:bana2

Well my check engine light came on tonight on my way home from work, but I have noticed a difference in my car over the last 2 days.

First, 2 days ago I noticed that when crusing in third or fourth at exactly 2250 rpm my car would vibrate (I need a better word) and the rpms would slightly go up and down for a second and it could even be heard through my exhaust.

Then yesterday, I was leaving work and started my car and the air bag light on the instrument cluster stayed on. I waited for a bit, shut off my car and started it again and it was still there, so I decided to go to Mazda of Brampton because it's right around the corner from my work.
I pull into Mazda turn off my car, and started it again to make sure it was there when I got someone to look at it and it was gone. I thought nothin of it.

And today on my way to work I noticed that when shifting from first to second it would feel like I was mis-shifting (I think to myself "that was a bad shift, I hope no one heard that"), but it happend a couple more times on my way to work. Also more jerky when shifting. I normally shift at about 2500 when cold and anywhere from 2500-4000 when warm.

My car does not feel sluggish at all, except when shifting from first to second, it seems to be driving fine (but different). I have also noticed my exhaust gets black really fast like 3 or 4 days.

Any one have any similar symptoms before their CEL came on?

Does my description of symptoms point to any clear problem?

Opinions and ideas are NEEDED. I am also refusing to go back to Mazda of Brampton and have read great reviews of Mississagua Mazda and will probably go there. I assume all dealerships are closed tomorrow right?

I know most people are gonna say check the MAF, and I will tomorrow.

Thanks,
Chris.

[b]

I had similar issues 2 weeks ago or so. Turned out I had a wire in my computer loose or so they said... This was at mississauga mazda. It could be a number of things...

Hope you get it solved.

[Zubbie]

How is Mississauga Mazda for modded cars? are they gonna look at my intake or exhaust and say "well, there's the problem"?

[b]

I have an intake and exhaust. They haven't said anything... but I am off warranty now so I have to pay for everything I get fixed. So thats why they probably don't say anything to me. Erin Mills Mazda was great with mods. They replaced my engine when it blew and I had a cai on it. They didn't ask any questions... They are cool with mods. I had mine lowered with cai & exhust there when I was still under warranty.

[bubba1983]

mine is still on..i feel lonley if it goes away!

[chinsterr]

when were your CAI/Exhaust installed ? If its been more than a month than I highly doubt those mods have caused your problem. But if you didn't loosen your MAF wires then your problem can be right there.

[Zubbie]

when were your CAI/Exhaust installed ? If its been more than a month than I highly doubt those mods have caused your problem. But if you didn't loosen your MAF wires then your problem can be right there.

My CAI was installed in February... I drove around without loosening the MAF wires for a couple of weeks, then I read somewhere on here that I should remove the clip from the battery box, so removed one of them but left the clip near the bottom of the battery box.

My exhaust was installed about a month ago.

[Zubbie]

Went to Mississauga Mazda today, they scanned my car and told me it was the MAF. The service advisor "advised" me to remove my CAI and said that he was 95% certain that was causing the problem.

On my way home I was thinking to myself "screw that, im gonna keep it on", then as soon as I pulled into my driveway my CEL came back on.

So, im gonna remove it and put my stock air box back on and see if my CEL goes away.

I noticed the service advisor put a note on the work order saying "has aftermarket intake", do all Mazda dealerships see that or just Mississauga Mazda?

[chinsterr]

warranty voided


























jk, i know Avante noted that i have after suspension when i went to get an alignment done

[majic]

Went to Mississauga Mazda today, they scanned my car and told me it was the MAF. The service advisor "advised" me to remove my CAI and said that he was 95% certain that was the problem.

On my way home I was thinking to myself "screw that, im gonna keep it on", then as soon as I pulled into my driveway my CEL came back on.

So, im gonna remove it and put my stock air box back on and see if my CEL goes away.

I noticed the service advisor put a note on the work order saying "has aftermarket intake", do all Mazda dealerships see that or just Mississauga Mazda?

so did they charge you anything? (if not, that's super nice of them)

did they fix anything? are they going to when you bring it back stock?

are you still under warranty?

[Zubbie]

so did they charge you anything? (if not, that's super nice of them)

did they fix anything? are they going to when you bring it back stock?

are you still under warranty?

No they did not charge me anything, the service advisor did tell me though if they can prove its the intake 100% than my warranty would be void and I would have to pay $49.95 for the scan + any parts and labor.

They flashed my car so the CEL disappeared until I got home. Im pretty sure if I have to go back there for a CEL then they will charge me to fix whatever the problem is.

I have now changed back to my stock air box and after driving around for 20-30 mins, then turning off my car and starting it again the CEL has disappeared.

I am still under warranty, actually only had my car for 10 months.

When I took my intake off I saw lots of dirt in the bend is that normal?? And the top piece of the stock system just sits on the bottom half, is there supposed to be someting to hold them together?

[Wild Weasel]

Let me clarify that for you.

If they determine that your intake install killed the MAF sensor then they will not repair that under warranty and you'llbe on the hook for whatever it costs to fix.

That does not affect the warranty on the rest of the car, unless the bad MAF sensor causes other damage (such as mucking up a cat or something).

[Zubbie]

Let me clarify that for you.

If they determine that your intake install killed the MAF sensor then they will not repair that under warranty and you'llbe on the hook for whatever it costs to fix.

That does not affect the warranty on the rest of the car, unless the bad MAF sensor causes other damage (such as mucking up a cat or something).


Thanks, I should of been clearer. Only the parts that they can prove were damaged by an aftermarket intake I will be responsilbe for.

[KOKKINO]

i had this problem a few weeks ago!! i was told that the after market alarm starter was installed wrong and broke a few wires wich was causing a trip in the ignition and the car would jerk especially from first to second.

$250 later it's all gone!! so if u have an aftermarket alarm/starter get it checked out and check ure wires

[ksukh]

I only have a few mods done to mine with more to come...I take my 3 to Prima Mazda in Woodbridge. So far so good...they haven't mentioned anything about the aftermarket mods....instead I actually got a compliment from the exhaust + the mechanic said it was loud. I laughed and took off.