So many problems!

[05gt3]

Hi guys. Looking for some help/advice on my decaying '05 3GT.

So I have a number of issues.

First is a loud "clunking" noise coming from my front driver side wheel. I had the bearing and hub on the same side replaced 2 months ago for $564. Well it's sounding like it did before the replacement. But only occurs when I first start the car and make an extreme turn to the left. Once i get driving i don't hear it. Shop is telling me it's "probably" the bearing by what i'm telling them but would need to assess it ($90!) to know for sure.

Second is my ABS light. Brakes are just about done but i'm replacing those next week. Would this cause the ABS light? (Light was on before i replaced hub/bearing)

Third, my car will NOT run after putting gas in. I try to start it and it sputters and shakes for a few seconds and gives up. To get it to start i have to give it a little gas. I've ignored this for some time, and now it's to the point where it's started stalling when i stop at lights or signs! i've resorted to putting it in neutral and reving while stopped to prevent this. I went to a part store as i was told it could be the fuel filter but turns out the whole pump needs to be replaced if that's the issue. The generous store owner checked the codes and said the problem is most likely the O2 sensor. After researching i now know there are two (not very mechanically inclined) and not sure which sensor needs replacing, if it is a sensor at all.

Fourth, my passenger head light melted! O_o light went out, replaced it. went out a week later. replaced it again. went out again in 3 days. Took a look for myself rather than bring back to a shop, the socket had melted along with a portion of the harness. I purchased a new socket and universal harness that i will splice in. Does the battery need to be disconnected for this?

Some help would be greatly appreciated! I know a bit about what do with some of this stuff, like the head light (just not sure how the electrical system on a car works), but others i'm having trouble trusting what i'm being told by mechanics.

[zoomahh]

:whoa oooooo.....a melting headlight !!???
Dude that's an electrical issue that DEMANDS attention like NOW. If the car was owned previously, then I would have to say an aftermarket HID setup, stereo, car starter, etc was installed poorly. Electrical problems are probably one of the most troublesome to solve. Keep this thread alive and hopefully one of the mechanics on the forum will chime in to assist.
This sounds like a job for McGuyver :popcorn .........dude knows electronics on the 3's front back n 3 ways from sunday

[05gt3]

You it was previously owned. Still wired for sound system.... wires running from floor board into passenger door, wires comming from under back seat into trunk, stryker fuse under hood

[Default User]

First is a loud "clunking" noise coming from my front driver side wheel. I had the bearing and hub on the same side replaced 2 months ago for $564. Well it's sounding like it did before the replacement. But only occurs when I first start the car and make an extreme turn to the left. Once i get driving i don't hear it. Shop is telling me it's "probably" the bearing by what i'm telling them but would need to assess it ($90!) to know for sure.

Could be a number of things – sway bar bushing, strut mount, hub, bearing…


Second is my ABS light. Brakes are just about done but i'm replacing those next week. Would this cause the ABS light? (Light was on before i replaced hub/bearing)

Worn brakes will trigger the ABS light



Third, my car will NOT run after putting gas in. I try to start it and it sputters and shakes for a few seconds and gives up. To get it to start i have to give it a little gas. I've ignored this for some time, and now it's to the point where it's started stalling when i stop at lights or signs! i've resorted to putting it in neutral and reving while stopped to prevent this. I went to a part store as i was told it could be the fuel filter but turns out the whole pump needs to be replaced if that's the issue. The generous store owner checked the codes and said the problem is most likely the O2 sensor. After researching i now know there are two (not very mechanically inclined) and not sure which sensor needs replacing, if it is a sensor at all.

Could also be the MAF wiring (common issue) is stretched
Or possibly a small vacuum leak
What was the code that was pulled?



Fourth, my passenger head light melted! O_o light went out, replaced it. went out a week later. replaced it again. went out again in 3 days. Took a look for myself rather than bring back to a shop, the socket had melted along with a portion of the harness. I purchased a new socket and universal harness that i will splice in. Does the battery need to be disconnected for this?

Are you are using the right bulb? Sounds like the wattage is too high. You shouldn’t have to disconnect the battery to install headlight bulbs


If you’re in the GTA area – I highly suggest going to a proper shop to get these looked into. Search the boards for Street Performance as he’s a Mazda3 genius.

You can also go to any Parts Source location and have them scan the codes for free

[zmz3]

Ok... sounds like someone has a lemon!

You have already spent a lot of money on fixing some stuff... I'd suggest to stop wasting anymore on diagnosis and such -- it's out of warranty.

Take it to Jimmy @ Street Performance. He knows Mazda's very well and serves half of TM3 (at least)

His prices are fair, and he is an honest mechanic.

Good luck.

[Jackal]

Ok... sounds like someone has a lemon!

You have already spent a lot of money on fixing some stuff... I'd suggest to stop wasting anymore on diagnosis and such -- it's out of warranty.

Take it to Jimmy @ Street Performance. He knows Mazda's very well and serves half of TM3 (at least)

His prices are fair, and he is an honest mechanic.

Good luck.
+1
Take it to the Mazda 3 guru Jimmy at SP. He'll fix it up at a great price. Book in advance because he's so busy. Just to warn you there will be a lot of waiting around and you may have to come back to fix all issues. Good luck.

[trulankan]

yikes that sounds like some serious issues. i guess the previous owner did a bad job on the installs or didnt get it done from a good place. Go see Jimmy!

[05gt3]

Hey guys,

thanks for the help, got the noises fixed and engine issues. just one problem left. my engine light and abs light are still on, and after having everything else fixed my speedometer died. it no longer moves and my odometer has stopped counting. when i start my car my engine light and abs lights are one, and it isnt until i start moving (over 10kph.... i think) that the other lights come on. once going the e brake light comes on as well as the power steering light, which cuts out my power steering. could this be the speed sensor? if so is it something i could fix on my own?

[Wes08M3]

Hey guys,

thanks for the help, got the noises fixed and engine issues. just one problem left. my engine light and abs light are still on, and after having everything else fixed my speedometer died. it no longer moves and my odometer has stopped counting. when i start my car my engine light and abs lights are one, and it isnt until i start moving (over 10kph.... i think) that the other lights come on. once going the e brake light comes on as well as the power steering light, which cuts out my power steering. could this be the speed sensor? if so is it something i could fix on my own?

All I can say is what the F?! Someone has seriously butchered your car up... It sounds like an electrical nightmare, drive it off a cliff! If there is any sort of aftermarket electrical garbage (audio system, HID's, etc.) rip that junk out and put it back EXACTLY the way it came from the showroom.

I'd start there because it seems like something someone did one day is now ruining every electrical system on your car. And maybe go see MacGuyver, if anyone is going to know whats going on, he will.

[krimsalt]

Your fuel pump is dying. That's what causing the stalling

Also sounds like a passenger side motor mount is gone, that's the clunking

[krimsalt]

Hey guys,

thanks for the help, got the noises fixed and engine issues. just one problem left. my engine light and abs light are still on, and after having everything else fixed my speedometer died. it no longer moves and my odometer has stopped counting. when i start my car my engine light and abs lights are one, and it isnt until i start moving (over 10kph.... i think) that the other lights come on. once going the e brake light comes on as well as the power steering light, which cuts out my power steering. could this be the speed sensor? if so is it something i could fix on my own?

Your abs sensor in the wheel hub is caput. Tha abs sensor is also the speed sensor and counts for the odometer. That or if the bearings were replaced, they we're put in backwards. Mazda3 bearings have a magnetic side on one side so the abs sensor can read hour fast the bearing race spins