CEL - possibly related to transmission

Thought I'd throw this up in case anyone has had a similar experience with their '04 2.3L automatic.

First off, I had my auto transmission replaced back in April at 74,000 km. I had only had the car about three months at that point, but was covered under the extended warranty I purchased from the dealer (Gyro). [see here]

This morning I drive to work no problem, but when I go to move my car about an hour later the check engine light comes on. Also noticed when I was driving that it revved higher than normal from 1-2, and 2-3. Seemed like I couldn't get any power out of it. Half hour after letting it sit, I find the engine light is off, but the performance problems persist. I took a chance and drove it to the dealer after work, and noticed serious rev dipping in 4th in addition to the above problems. They're going to try and squeeze me in tomorrow, but wondering if anyone here has any ideas?

Has anyone else experienced these issues on an '04 with a (nearly) brand new transmission? There's only about 18k on it since the new one was dropped in. Mostly highway driving with some city, I take it pretty easy though I do like to give it the gas when I'm frustrated by traffic/grandmas/deadbeat drivers. Certainly haven't rode it hard enough to cause damage.

I have lingering suspicions about the electrical ...

not sure about manual transmission but auto have a light on dash tells you which gear your in park, reverse, drive etc... do you have it? in automatic if that light is blinking you got a problem with your transmission engine light on is just something to do with emissions but if you ever see it blinking stop the car and tow to dealer right away!!

It's an automatic, so yes I have the gear display. Nothing flashing at me, so that's a good sign. Also don't have the 'AT' light on, which is another indicator something is up with the transmission.

if you not under warranty check the transmission oil lvl if your under warranty since you said you got the transmission replaced 18k before just drive the hell out of it until it quits...better they give you a new one than fixing anything since transmission damage is very costly.

there should be a year's worth of warranty on the tranny, so you should take it to any dealer to have them look at it (bring the invoices!)

how much was the tranny anyways ? was it done at a mazda dealer ?

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Originally Posted by gskills

how much was the tranny anyways ? was it done at a mazda dealer ?

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Unfortunately there is no warranty on top of warranty, if the transmission was replaced under warranty in April, but now you are out of warranty now the transmission will not be covered under warranty (not sure if this your case or not)

I would have the vehicle scanned, if the engine light came on that means a code was registered and would still be in the computer to show what happened.

there should be PARTS warranty for one year, regardless of whether the vehicle had work done under warranty or not
call mazda canada if you want to make sure

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Originally Posted by gskills

how much was the tranny anyways ? was it done at a mazda dealer ?

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Tranny was roughly $3000, but was covered under the CoverageOne aftermarket warranty I purchased at the time of sale. It's an '04, so the manufacturers powertrain warranty was up at the time I bought it (Jan '10). The CoverageOne cost me roughly $2000, so I suppose anything I get out of it from here on in is gravy. Funny story though, I was told at the time by the service desk that it was a brand new transmission, not a rebuild. When I spoke with one of the techs this week, he informed me that there's no such thing, that all "new" transmissions from mazda are rebuilds with OEM parts.

Update on the status: took the car into Gyro since they did the transmission work the first time and was hoping they would be accommodating after f**king me around the first time. Pulled the code, it was a P0715 - Turbine speed sensor failure - something it looks like a few others here have dealt with. The sensor was covered by CoverageOne, but had to pay the $100 deductible since it's not a part they replaced during the transmission swap. Still experiencing the rev-dipping in 4th gear cruising at medium speeds (50-70 km/h), I take my foot off the gas and the tach drops from around 2000 quickly to 1000, and bounces back to 1500 before dropping back down. Does anyone else experience this? I've never seen this behaviour prior to the CEL. Also seems like the shift points have changed on me, the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts are much higher revs than before. Maybe need to reset the PCM to relearn my driving habits, or will it do it on it's own over time?

They also pulled a P0226, indicating the thermostat was buggered, and when they checked it, it was stuck open. Combine that with a seized e-brake and a broken engine mount, and I ended up forking out about $900.

Still not impressed with the service center at Gyro Mazda. Although they were able to fit me into a busy schedule, I feel like the front desk staff have their head up their butt. No one test drove the car before I picked it up to see if the issues I complained about were resolved. Also, when I complained about the performance difference still being there (rev-dipping, consistantly higher revs from 1-2 and 2-3 vs. before the sensor issue), the tech let me drive someone else's car off the service lot to compare performance, without the owners approval. I know if I were that owner, I would be right-royally pissed to have someone taking my car out for a spin without my consent.

Thinking about finding another shop in the east end, I'm sick of the attitude and staff at Gyro. Any suggestions?

wow i cant believe gyro mazda let you drive another customers car... from the way you describe you need a idle valve its a valve that stays open when you take your foot off the gas to supply air to the engine for idle... id pay $150 for a service at rustcheck its called intake cleaner they run chemicals thru your engine to clean it restores power. also check your EGR valve and air filter...

why don't you take your car to one of the reputable dealers (which are discussed thoroughly here) instead?

doesn't the aftermarket warranty cover the other broken crap? you should also have your ECU flash updated as the 04 one has been pretty buggy, especially the thermostat detection logic... last time I checked, it is at the 6th revision (what I am running)

your tranny is still under warranty until next april for sure... there's a parts warranty on it! I don't think labour is covered but if it's truely broken, you wouldn't have to pay much!

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Originally Posted by ultimatedbz

wow i cant believe gyro mazda let you drive another customers car... from the way you describe you need a idle valve its a valve that stays open when you take your foot off the gas to supply air to the engine for idle... id pay $150 for a service at rustcheck its called intake cleaner they run chemicals thru your engine to clean it restores power. also check your EGR valve and air filter...

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I couldn't believe it either! I was hesitant to even get in the car, but he insisted that I need to drive another mazda3 to compare (never mind it was an '07 or '08 and had a 5 speed, which is going to act completely different than the 4 speed in mine).

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Originally Posted by TheMAN

why don't you take your car to one of the reputable dealers (which are discussed thoroughly here) instead?

doesn't the aftermarket warranty cover the other broken crap? you should also have your ECU flash updated as the 04 one has been pretty buggy, especially the thermostat detection logic... last time I checked, it is at the 6th revision (what I am running)

your tranny is still under warranty until next april for sure... there's a parts warranty on it! I don't think labour is covered but if it's truely broken, you wouldn't have to pay much!

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I'll be taking it elsewhere from now on. I only took it back there for the tranny since I had bought it there three months earlier, and wasn't sure how the CoverageOne warranty worked. The tranny is definitely still covered under parts warranty, but that only covers the core - no sensors or valves or anything.

The aftermarket warranty covered the engine mount as well, but that's it. The e-brake cable is considered "wear and tear", and inexplicably, so was the thermostat. If anyone can tell me how you wear and/or tear a thermostat, I'd love to hear it.

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Originally Posted by acrossthec

....... Still experiencing the rev-dipping in 4th gear cruising at medium speeds (50-70 km/h), I take my foot off the gas and the tach drops from around 2000 quickly to 1000, and bounces back to 1500 before dropping back down. Does anyone else experience this? I've never seen this behaviour prior to the CEL. .....

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The rev dipping is something I also notice on my 2007 4spd auto Mazda 3 (GX). At around the same speeds you mentioned, I also notice that if I let my foot of the gas pedal, the RPM will drop rather quickly to around 1100-1200 then go back to 1400-1500. I am not sure what the case is, as I do not experience it with higher speeds. Usually above 85km/h.

My car has 78900kms and has original tranny. I bought it used 3 weeks ago, and it's been like that since day 1.

You are not alone, but would a member care to note to 'acrossthec and my self if our trannies are doing funny things. I have always noticed it, usually at speeds mentioned and lower sometimes.