Car Problem #2

Kinja'd!!! "mazda616" (mazda616)
01/02/2015 at 09:55 • Filed to: Problems

Kinja'd!!!2 Kinja'd!!! 9
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After a little over five years of me owning it, my Mazda3 now has its second problem. The first problem was the passenger side upper motor mount (a poorly designed hydraulic unit) leaking fluid a couple years ago. We replaced the mount with a new OEM part in about a half hour.

Today, I have discovered a new problem that has gradually been getting worse within the past couple of weeks. Occasionally, the car will not allow me to shift out of park, even when the brake pedal is firmly depressed. I did some research and found that the brake switch is on its way out. During the times when the brake is pressed but I still can't shift out of park, the brake lights also aren't illuminated. It doesn't happen every time but it is happening more often now, so I am going to go ahead and replace the switch tomorrow.

Thankfully, it's only a $19 part and takes about 20 minutes at the absolute most to replace.


DISCUSSION (9)


Kinja'd!!! RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > mazda616
01/02/2015 at 10:09

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I'm guessing it's the under-dash kind and not the hydraulic kind?


Kinja'd!!! Takuro Spirit > mazda616
01/02/2015 at 10:23

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That's a new one.


Kinja'd!!! mazda616 > Takuro Spirit
01/02/2015 at 11:00

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Apparently it happens with the older 3s. There's a topic on the forums about it. I'm just glad it is an easy fix.


Kinja'd!!! mazda616 > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
01/02/2015 at 11:01

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Yeah, it's right down by the brake pedal.


Kinja'd!!! Takuro Spirit > mazda616
01/02/2015 at 11:31

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I don't think I've ever sold one.... lots on CX-7/9 and a few Mazda6, but nary a 3 to my knowledge.


Kinja'd!!! gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > mazda616
01/02/2015 at 22:52

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Do your brake lights work while driving?


Kinja'd!!! greasemonkey235097 > mazda616
01/03/2015 at 01:42

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Sorry for the hijacking, but I am burning oil in my 2.3 like crazy, 5quarts 1300miles, is it a common issue on this engines, new to me 06 mazda3


Kinja'd!!! mazda616 > greasemonkey235097
01/03/2015 at 11:57

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It's a very common issue of they weren't maintained correctly. The 2.3 is VERY picky with its oil changes. But, my friend has a 2004 Mazda6 with 330,000 miles on the original 2.3 and 5-speed transmission. But she does her oil changes precisely on time every time and uses synthetic oil.


Kinja'd!!! mazda616 > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
01/03/2015 at 11:58

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About every third or fourth time, they don't. So 25-30% of the time they weren't illuminating. But I replaced the switch this morning and all seems to be back to normal.