My car has started to do another weird thing

"V6 or Bust" (j-turn)
03/16/2016 at 20:58 • Filed to: None

Today, I noticed that when starting my car, a 2005 Mazda 6 V6, the check engine light briefly flashes. It’s never done this before.

At first, I thought it was just coming on with all of the other lights and I just hadn’t noticed it. So, instead of turning the key straight from “off” to “start,” I turned it to “on” and waited for all of the computers to initialize and for the fuel pump to power on.

Once the only lights left on the dash were the CEL and the alternator light, I cranked it over. As usual, all of the cabin lights turned off during the starting, but as soon as the dash lit back up, the CEL, and only the CEL, was on, just for a hot second. Maybe this is normal for some; I’m 99% sure it hasn’t been happening in this car.

Maybe I’m a fool, and this is just a thing that happens. These damn Duratecs seem to have one problem after another.

For now, I’ve just added this to my laundry list of other issues including ticking at idle, tapping under light load, burning oil, leaking oil, transmission kicks, bad brakes, broken CD player, interior rust, and suspension wear.

Paint still looks great, though.

DISCUSSION (13)

wafflesnfalafel > V6 or Bust
03/16/2016 at 21:19

My wife had a 92 Accord coupe that did just that - turned out it was a bad battery of all things....

V6 or Bust > wafflesnfalafel
03/16/2016 at 21:21

Uh oh, I just replaced the battery! I hope that’s not it...

DoYouEvenShift > V6 or Bust
03/16/2016 at 21:33

Flashing CEL light means a misfire. Hows it drive? Get it scanned for codes.

V6 or Bust > DoYouEvenShift
03/16/2016 at 21:41

It drives like shit. I’ll bust out the bluetooth scanner tomorrow. These Duratecs LOOOVE to misfire. Honestly, the brakes are a bigger priority for me.

jariten1781 > V6 or Bust
03/16/2016 at 22:05

Mine did that when I was low on oil at startup and on hills.

V6 or Bust > jariten1781
03/16/2016 at 22:35

Thanks, I’ll look at that. It’s been burning oil, so it’s probably time for a top-off.

LoveTheWagon > V6 or Bust
03/16/2016 at 22:56

I have an 05 mazda 6 v6 and haven’t had that issue yet. I have the issue with the lcd in the center console not working well and the headlights dim when I use the power mirrors. I only have about 75k miles so I haven’t had any bad problems yet. Good luck.

V6 or Bust > LoveTheWagon
03/16/2016 at 23:01

Hey, I have both of those problems, too! Almost all of my center console lights are burned out. By the way, if your A/C hasn’t broken yet, it will. Same with the front suspension. Good luck to you as well.

I’m now realizing you mean the nav LCD, which is a very rare option. Do you have the fuel economy monitor in the clock area then?

Ryanator122 > V6 or Bust
03/17/2016 at 05:21

Mine eventually did this more and more, especially during the summer. It got to where it would misfire each time I tried to give it any gas. It was unnerving enough that I sold it. The AC was about to let go as well, and the clunk in between 2nd and 3rd got worse and worse. Good luck man.

V6 or Bust > Ryanator122
03/17/2016 at 08:03

Thank you.

The Stig's former college room mate > V6 or Bust
03/17/2016 at 12:31

If you check your code history, you will probably find code P0316, misfire within first 1000 revolutions. It is common on the Ford Duratec v6 of that vintage. If it hasn’t had a tuneup in a while, new plugs, OEM coils (most aftermarket coils will make it misfire worse) and a professional fuel system cleaning may remedy the problem. Other causes are heavy carbon buildup on the back of the valves causing them to hang open slightly, timing chain stretch and small vacuum leaks in the plastic manifold.

brianbrannon > V6 or Bust
03/17/2016 at 15:59

If it flashes three times only then it means your emission monitors haven’t set. Usually happens when battery dies or when codes are reset

V6 or Bust > brianbrannon
03/17/2016 at 16:02

Nope, just once. I’m about to hit it with the code reader.