A Mazda follow-up

"cabarne4" (cabarne4) 07/17/2014 at 18:05 • Filed to: None

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After my Mazda maintenance story hit Answers of the Day yesterday (not even sure how, as the work wasn't done as warranty, and I posted the story as a reply to someone's legitimate submission), I decided Oppo deserves a follow-up.

Today I finally had some free time, so I decided to check underneath the hood (haven't had a chance to since getting it back from the shop). Long story short, since getting my shift linkages replaced, I've had multiple shifting issues. The shifter almost feels like it has a bind in it. It doesn't always go into gear, and it pretty much will NOT go into reverse unless the car is off.

I popped the hood to inspect the new linkages, and I found this:

(ignore the mud. I have to drive down a lot of forest service roads).

What's that?

I don't think that's Mazda-OEM. Could be wrong though... Upon further inspection, it's a magnetic screw-finder thing! (non-telescoping. The wire is malleable, and can be bent way out of shape). Definitely not OEM, must be aftermarket. 2+ HP!

Oddly enough, I don't remember my hydraulic fluid reservoir (used for clutch and brakes) being held together by zip ties. Could be wrong though.

Also, I'm clearly missing my battery tie-down. That thing has more wiggle room than... well, let's not go there.

There's also this wire. It's incredibly crimped. I'm surprised if it's actually sending a good signal. Could be responsible for my intermittent CEL.

Last but not least, all the screws that hold my car's nose on are missing! Save weight, bro!

I'll get new clips this weekend, then try and figure out why my reservoir now requires zip ties. On the shifting issue: With the car off (obviously), I can get it into any gear with the shifter, or by manually moving the linkages under the hood. This tells me there's no bind in the linkages, or anything screwy in the transmission itself. So now I'll have to start diagnosing clutch issues. My bet is clutch hydraulics (most likely slave cylinder). Seems to me like the clutch isn't fully disengaging when the pedal is on the floor, so I'm relying entirely on the synchros to get it in gear.

crowmolly > cabarne4 07/17/2014 at 18:16

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I believe you have a small claims court case.

cabarne4 > crowmolly 07/17/2014 at 18:21

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It's such a hassle though! Ugggh

Between school and job hunting, really don't want to have to deal with that shit. Guess I'm going to have to eventually. Gonna get more in-depth tomorrow or Saturday, but hopefully I don't find anymore surprises.

EDIT: Also, in order to have some ground to stand on, I would need a repair estimate for all the new things wrong. Meaning driving 2 1/2 hours to the nearest Mazdaspeed dealer, and sitting around in 115 degree heat while they diagnose it (and paying a hefty diagnosis fee, of course).

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > cabarne4 07/17/2014 at 18:25

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Could the hydraulic fluid reservoir being held by zip ties be a possible cause for your clutch/ shift issues?

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > cabarne4 07/17/2014 at 18:27

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Could the hydraulic fluid reservoir being held by zip ties be the source of your clutch/shift issues? Possibly loose and not delivering fluids to the clutch properly?

cabarne4 > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback 07/17/2014 at 18:27

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Possibly. As I said in my edit above, in order to have some ground to stand on in small claims court, I'd have to get a repair estimate from a Mazdaspeed dealer (they would also be the ones who give me the evidence that the zip tied "repair" is what's causing my shift issue).

Can't just go to court and say "They need to give me money because this isn't working!" ...Gotta go in knowing how much damage was done, and if the damage is directly causing the issue.

cabarne4 > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback 07/17/2014 at 18:29

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And yeah, I'll have to check and see if anything is loose. I literally just took pics and walked off (I have homework to do). Tomorrow or Saturday I'll have time to fully check it out. The reservoir is a hair over the max line, so I'm sure it's not leaking... but there could be air in the system that wasn't there previously.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > cabarne4 07/17/2014 at 18:32

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Yeah if its full there might be air in the system. You'll have to keep us updated through out the weekend.

Takuro Spirit > cabarne4 07/17/2014 at 20:02

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Dude that's fucked up. If you were closer to my dealer I'd help ya but....

cabarne4 > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback 07/17/2014 at 20:18

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I'll definitely try.

cabarne4 > Takuro Spirit 07/17/2014 at 20:19

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Where's your dealer? I love road trips!

Takuro Spirit > cabarne4 07/17/2014 at 20:21

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Wisconsin.

cabarne4 > Takuro Spirit 07/17/2014 at 20:46

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...nevermind.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > cabarne4 07/17/2014 at 21:02

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That is what everyone says to WI.

cabarne4 > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 07/17/2014 at 21:03

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I mean, don't get me wrong. It's a pretty state with some nice areas and friendly people... it just sucks going there.

Agrajag > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 07/17/2014 at 21:29

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That got a legitimate chortle.

Trevor G. > cabarne4 07/18/2014 at 15:48

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Cabarnett,

Yea, whoever this dealership is is wack. But hopefully I can help you out some. I'm not sure how car savvy you are but I hopefully can help you fix a few of these issues.
First is the bump and car almost dying. There is one certain ground that if loose can cause this issue.

It's under the cover where the red circle is. It's just a ground that may not be fully tight. If you need another picture of it I can go get one.
Second, the zip ties on the resevoir. On my 6(Regular not Speed) that cap would break and wouldn't clamp down anymore. This could have been a issue you had but they "fixed" for you. Shouldn't effect anything.

Third the shifting issue. Since they replaced the cable(which is stupidly common in these cars) they may not have adjusted the shifter right. There are many Youtube videos and articles on how to do this, just Google "adjust mazdaspeed shift cable". The fact it's still moving while clutch is depressed could be your clutch slave needs bled or replaced. Truthfully, all of this shouldn't require a Mazdaspeed Dealer. They're cars just like the rest of the line. But then again I don't trust dealers period. www.mazdaspeedforums.org Go here, sign up, and search for solutions. There are local groups called NATOR that may have the same stories about the same dealership. You could talk to them and maybe they could help you and push you towards a shop that wont royally screw you over.

cabarne4 > Trevor G. 07/18/2014 at 16:40

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I'll check that ground first chance I get.

Zip ties are certainly a quick fix, but they should have at least mentioned it. I'll look into those videos as well. Probably does need adjusting. I've actually been suspecting the slave cylinder — that's what everything has been pointing to.

I'm on MSF, and know the NATOR guys in my area... just none of them live in the part of the state that I do.

Hondanazi > cabarne4 07/28/2014 at 13:28

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I know it's obvious but have you checked if your floor mat is pushed forward too much and may be between the pedal and the floor? It was the fix quite often on my old Datsun 510 as it was just enough to make it hard to get into reverse but all the forward gears were normal. If not I would guess your slave cylinder is leaking or not adjusted(if it can be like some old Japanese cars can be). Your front bumper cover was removed by the previous owner or a Bodyshop and they lost/forgot the upper screws and that may show there was an accident of some kind. I also agree with the other poster that you may have a loose ground or main fuse/fuseable link that is making a bad connection. It looks like someone modded your car and didn't do a good job of putting it back together.

cabarne4 > Hondanazi 07/28/2014 at 14:52

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I don't have floormats in it right now. There's actually a small metal plate behind the pedal arm. You can actually here a tap when you push the pedal all the way. I'm leaning towards faulty slave cylinder. I just don't have a way to deal with it right now.

As for the bumper, they pulled it off when doing the shift linkages. Probably forgot to put them back in. Still a pain in the ass, and now I'm out like 2 entire dollars to buy new plastic clips.

Only accident was my taillight — a lady backed into me in a parking lot. I've been too lazy to get it fixed. Still works, just cracked.

Hondanazi > cabarne4 07/28/2014 at 19:56

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clutch master or slave cylinder are only $20-35 each and with a friend to help you bleed them it's an easy job.

cabarne4 > Hondanazi 07/28/2014 at 20:00

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Yeah, problem is all my tools are 2 hours away, and I'm not allowed to do auto work anywhere on campus. Seriously, they've ticketed people for changing headlamp bulbs an flat tires.

Ninja edit: Actually had it pack up on me again today. I had to run to the store. On my way back, on the interstate. Going from 5th to 6th, the car decides it's a Cobalt all over again. This time I actually went a little off the road (steering locked, could only use the brakes). Couple minutes later I was able to get it to turn on, but it's not running right. Full throttle, revs are bouncing between 1,100 and 1,300 violently, and the whole car bucks back and forth. Max speed of about 7mph. Limped it back to campus, parked it. Not sure what I'm gonna do now.

Hondanazi > cabarne4 07/29/2014 at 00:41

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strange that the steering locks, it's not like you turn the key. You should have some codes at this point, is your check engine light on? I hope you find it soon, good luck.

cabarne4 > Hondanazi 07/29/2014 at 10:29

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That's the weird thing — no check engine light through all of this. Because of the steering lock, I'm thinking something between the ignition, immobilizer and ECU is fried.