Topic: Advice needed please - Mazda6 Aisin auto 6SP issue(s)

[Careener]

As you may know from other threads my Mazda6 wagon has been in the shop since Dec 19.
I was having transmission symptoms, rough shifts, slamming into gear (especially on kickdown from 6th)and occasionally not engaging a gear.
When the dealership originally scanned the transmission they got 1 cpu and 5 transmission error codes. They have been going back and forth with Mazda since when I brought it in and were convinced it was the main CPU. They have now replaced it twice. After the first CPU replacement they were thinking it was the main wiring harness. Now they got back to me saying the transmission control unit is shot.
Here's the kicker. As Mazda is telling them to replace the control unit and not the transmission (believe me..the tranny is shot...) I get to pay $1500 for the part + additional $ for labour as the control unit is only covered (according to the dealership) by the 3yr comprehensive warranty and not the powertrain warranty which the car was still under when I brought it in for this service.

So the option I have from Mazda Canada at this point is to pay out of pocket to replace this part. If the part is replaced and the transmission still has problems they might potentially replace the transmission (including a new control module) under warranty..and I'm still out @$1800 (in addition to the rental vehicle I have been paying for out of pocket since the car went in to the shop).
The dealership also advised my not to source the part in the US as it "may not be compatible based on the internal functions". This is find quite difficult to believe.

Another option would be to pick up a used part which they also advised against.
The part # is AW02-18-9E1J
I have seen it for $750 US new.


Any ideas folks?

Thanks in advance.

[mrthompson]

How much is the rental car costing you per day?  How much has it cost you thus far?

[Careener]

$800 in rentals so far.
I think I may counter by strongly suggesting they swap the tcm out with a known good unit and prove that it works before I pay.

[articsteve]

I get to pay $1500 for the part + additional $ for labour as the control unit is only covered (according to the dealership) by the 3yr comprehensive warranty and not the powertrain warranty which the car was still under when I brought it in for this service.

So the MONKEY DANCE is in full swing.

So whatda ya think about Mazada Canada now?  2nd/3rd tier budget manufacturer comes to mind.  TCM not part of powertrain warranty. Really 

My, my, they have facked the dog on this; (December 19th) to install 2 PCMs and reflashes. 

So Mazda has locked you into a classic Catch 22.

1. Source used part for $200. tax and shipping included from Ontario wrecker and install.  If still not working they won't authorize new tranny because TCM was used even though perfectly good.

2.  Pay $1800. (parts and labour) for an $800. part and if that doesn't work they MAY or MAY NOT authorized a reman tranny.

Should have laid the POS on Donway Ford.     

[articsteve]

I think I may counter by strongly suggesting they swap the tcm out with a known good unit and prove that it works before I pay.

THat is the only sensible and acceptable solution.  After all it is there POS and Mazda knows full well that those transmissions are JUNK.  Hence the Monkey Dance; hoping you just go off and die somewhere in the meantime.

The real interesting stuff will come if the TCM replacement fails.  Either they replace with a reman or tell you that it's actually working within acceptable parameters.  At that point, reman or not, they know you'll never buy another Mazda so they aren't afraid of losing you as a future return customer.

[Julie]

Very tough Careener.

Sounds like you don't have a choice to pay their price, or else chances are they'll refuse to fix it if it still doesn't work (because you voided the warranty by installing non-approved parts or something similar).

Get rid of the car first chance you get.

[Careener]

So whatda ya think about Mazada Canada now?  2nd/3rd tier budget manufacturer comes to mind.  TCM not part of powertrain warranty. Really 

Agree. They pulled the exact same trick initially when the distributor failed on my 626. They ended up covering that one. At thetime in Quebec I knew a lawyer who's firm used to represent Mazda and claimed they would pay them to stretch out court cases to cost the plaintiff as much as possible in the hope that they would drop the case.

My, my, they have facked the dog on this; (December 19th) to install 2 PCMs and reflashes. 

Agreed

So Mazda has locked you into a classic Catch 22.

1. Source used part for $200. tax and shipping included from Ontario wrecker and install.  If still not working they won't authorize new tranny because TCM was used even though perfectly good.

2.  Pay $1800. (parts and labour) for an $800. part and if that doesn't work they MAY or MAY NOT authorized a reman tranny.

Should have laid the POS on Donway Ford.     

Exactly my thoughts re sourcing a used part.
I wouldn't feel comfortable trading in a car with issues though. Karma can be a ...

[Careener]

I think I may counter by strongly suggesting they swap the tcm out with a known good unit and prove that it works before I pay.

THat is the only sensible and acceptable solution.  After all it is there POS and Mazda knows full well that those transmissions are JUNK.  Hence the Monkey Dance; hoping you just go off and die somewhere in the meantime.

The real interesting stuff will come if the TCM replacement fails.  Either they replace with a reman or tell you that it's actually working within acceptable parameters.  At that point, reman or not, they know you'll never buy another Mazda so they aren't afraid of losing you as a future return customer.

I proposed it to the dealer. They accepted if I pay the labour @$200.. better than $1800.
I am waiting on a response from a trusted transmission shop for their input before I respond to the dealer.

[Careener]

Very tough Careener.

Sounds like you don't have a choice to pay their price, or else chances are they'll refuse to fix it if it still doesn't work (because you voided the warranty by installing non-approved parts or something similar).

Get rid of the car first chance you get.

My wife still likes the car. I'm going to step up the replacement campaign..of course not fun right after doing a cash deal on a new Mustang. She and the kids love the Mustang by the way. I'm not sure I'll be allowed to drive it 

[rrocket]

What a bunch of pricks......

[Arthur Dent]

Wow - that stinks. I hope you get some semi-decent resolution of out this but it sure sounds like you only have losing propositions to choose from.

[Careener]

Here's the list of powertrain warranty parts from Mazda US


 

Powertrain Warranty Parts List

The listed below are the powertrain components covered under the Powertrain Limited Warranty:
Engine

    * Cylinder Block, Cylinder Head, and All Internal Lubricated Parts (Piston engines)
    * Rotor Housing and All Internal Parts (Rotary engines)
    * Timing gears
    * Timing chain/belt and tensioner
    * Timing chain/belt front cover and gaskets
    * Flywheel
    * Valve Covers
    * Oil Pan
    * Oil Pump
    * Intake Manifold
    * Exhaust Manifold
    * Engine Mounts
    * Turbocharger Housing and All Internal Lubricated Parts
    * Supercharger Housing and All Internal Lubricated Parts
    * Powertrain Control Module
    * Water Pump and Gasket
    * Thermostat
    * Fuel Pump
    * Seals and Gaskets
    * Freeze Plugs were not added

Transmission and Transaxle

    * Transmission Case and All Internal Parts
    * Torque converter
    * Clutch Pressure Plate
    * Transmission Mounts
    * Transfer Case and All Internal Parts
    * Transmission/Transaxle Control Module

Front/Rear Drive System

    * Final Drive Housing & all Internally Lubricated Parts
    * Manual and Automatic Hub (4X4)
    * Front Wheel Hubs and Bearings (FWD Transaxles)
    * Rear Axle Housing & all Internally Lubricated Parts
    * Axle/Drive Shafts
    * Propeller shaft (RWD and AWD only)
    * Universal Joints
    * Constant Velocity Joints
    * Rear Axle/Hub Bearings (RWD and AWD only)
    * Seals and Gaskets

Watch Mazda Canada have a smaller list. Time to get out my owner's manual.

[Careener]

There's a used 07 tranny for $750 at a wreckers. Probably also with the exact same issue.

Here's is Mazda Canada's distributor relevant limited warranty description. Compared to the US it's a total joke. Nice and vague...

Transmission/Transaxle
Trans. Case and All Internal Parts, Torque Converter, Trans. Mounts, External Oil Cooler,
Gaskets and Seals.
Drivetrain
Differential Housing and All Internal Parts, Drive Axle and Constant Velocity Joints,
Propeller Shaft, Centre Bearing and Universal Joints, Internally Lubricated Bearings,
Boots, Gaskets and Seals.

[rrocket]

There's a used 07 tranny for $750 at a wreckers. Probably also with the exact same issue.

Here's is Mazda Canada's distributor relevant limited warranty description. Compared to the US it's a total joke. Nice and vague...

Transmission/Transaxle
Trans. Case and All Internal Parts, Torque Converter, Trans. Mounts, External Oil Cooler,
Gaskets and Seals.
Drivetrain
Differential Housing and All Internal Parts, Drive Axle and Constant Velocity Joints,
Propeller Shaft, Centre Bearing and Universal Joints, Internally Lubricated Bearings,
Boots, Gaskets and Seals.

Call them and ask them over the telephone for specifics.  Mazda Canada.

[articsteve]

They accepted if I pay the labour @$200..

Well you've got little choice but to go this route at this stage in da game.

You never know; it's hard to believe in the end that Mazda will walk away from this.  I think it's a matter of perseverance.  Customers who hold out to the bitter end tend to get their way.

If I read in the Star on line that man goes berserk with his car in Mazda dealership then I'll know that they gave you back the car with the issue unresolved telling you that the transmission is "operating normally" and "with parameters".  

[Careener]

If I read in the Star on line that man goes berserk with his car in Mazda dealership then I'll know that they gave you back the car with the issue unresolved telling you that the transmission is "operating normally" and "with parameters".  

I think it would read something more like this...

"Client's faulty transmission causes unintended acceleration event. Vehicle drives through newly renovated dealership showroom window".   



I kid I kid.

[rrocket]

"Client's faulty transmission causes unintended acceleration event. Vehicle drives through newly renovated dealership showroom window".   



I kid I kid.

Reminds me of a story.  A friend had some rare(ish) 1985 GSXR750 parts he wanted to sell.  A place in TO wanted them.  Before leaving, my friend called to make sure they weren't going to "low ball" him after we drove all the way to TO.  The guy at the shop said he wouldn't do such a thing.  Once we got there, the guy tried low balling my friend by $250.  My friend looked at the showroom and very calmly said "Man, I can't imagine how much the deductable would be for that huge plate glass window if a rock were thrown through it after hours.  I bet it's far more than $250."  He got his $250.

[Careener]

"Client's faulty transmission causes unintended acceleration event. Vehicle drives through newly renovated dealership showroom window".   



I kid I kid.

Reminds me of a story.  A friend had some rare(ish) 1985 GSXR750 parts he wanted to sell.  A place in TO wanted them.  Before leaving, my friend called to make sure they weren't going to "low ball" him after we drove all the way to TO.  The guy at the shop said he wouldn't do such a thing.  Once we got there, the guy tried low balling my friend by $250.  My friend looked at the showroom and very calmly said "Man, I can't imagine how much the deductable would be for that huge plate glass window if a rock were thrown through it after hours.  I bet it's far more than $250."  He got his $250.

[quadzilla]

I have no advice but hope you get things resolved soon. I enjoyed the 4 years and 120,000kms I put on my 6-wagon. Maybe I'm happy I gave it back. Of course, I'm getting my DSG flush tomorrow which comes with a free anal lube. Yipee!

[rrocket]

I have no advice but hope you get things resolved soon. I enjoyed the 4 years and 120,000kms I put on my 6-wagon. Maybe I'm happy I gave it back. Of course, I'm getting my DSG flush tomorrow which comes with a free anal lube. Yipee!

Do they use the old DSG fluid for the anal raping??