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2000 Miata - Check Engine Light



 
 
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  #1  
Old November 11th 05, 12:52 PM
Carol
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default 2000 Miata - Check Engine Light

Looking for advice on a recent problem ---

I have a 2000 Miate which started running horrible all of a sudden --
check engine light on steady and then flashing and then on steady
again. Spoke to my mechanic's assistance and was told to drive it to
his place but watch for oil pressure guage and water temp guage and
not to "push" it.

Started driving it (even though I really didn't want to). Drove maybe
10 km and then I was sure I smelled something "burning" so I pulled
over and had it towed.

Turned out to be my ignition coil. Had it replaced. The next day my
check engine light came on again. Took it back, he checked it out and
checked the settings for the Catalytic Converter (which showed OK).
Figured it was maybe just running through stuff that had been in the
gas tank when I had the original problem), and cleared the codes.

To make a long story short, I have had the check engine light cleared
a couple of times now but it has come back on. The code says
something about the O2 sensor (or something like that). He is now
saying that I need to replace the Catalytic Converter (its around
$1200) !!

Is there some way I can be sure that it's the Catalytic Converter?
Can it be tested someway BEFORE I spend that kind of money? Could it
be just a sensor of some sort or a loose wire?

I live in Ontario where we have E-tests -- could having an E-test
check it out? (I JUST had an e-test in mid October and everything was
fine).

Not sure what to do but it's getting colder and I need to put the car
away for the winter but want to get the problem solved before I do.

Does anybody have any thoughts or suggestions?

MUCH appreciated.


Carol
Ads
  #2  
Old November 11th 05, 01:39 PM
DBLZOOM
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default 2000 Miata - Check Engine Light

If you suspect the cataylic convertor you should take it to a Mazda
dealership and have them check it out. The catalytic convertor is
warranted for 80,000 miles under the emmission control warranty (at
least here in the States). I had mine replaced for free and I'm the
fifth owner of the car. You shouldn't spend any money on a catalytic
convertor unless you have very high mileage.



Carol wrote:
> Looking for advice on a recent problem ---
>
> I have a 2000 Miate which started running horrible all of a sudden --
> check engine light on steady and then flashing and then on steady
> again. Spoke to my mechanic's assistance and was told to drive it to
> his place but watch for oil pressure guage and water temp guage and
> not to "push" it.
>
> Started driving it (even though I really didn't want to). Drove maybe
> 10 km and then I was sure I smelled something "burning" so I pulled
> over and had it towed.
>
> Turned out to be my ignition coil. Had it replaced. The next day my
> check engine light came on again. Took it back, he checked it out and
> checked the settings for the Catalytic Converter (which showed OK).
> Figured it was maybe just running through stuff that had been in the
> gas tank when I had the original problem), and cleared the codes.
>
> To make a long story short, I have had the check engine light cleared
> a couple of times now but it has come back on. The code says
> something about the O2 sensor (or something like that). He is now
> saying that I need to replace the Catalytic Converter (its around
> $1200) !!
>
> Is there some way I can be sure that it's the Catalytic Converter?
> Can it be tested someway BEFORE I spend that kind of money? Could it
> be just a sensor of some sort or a loose wire?
>
> I live in Ontario where we have E-tests -- could having an E-test
> check it out? (I JUST had an e-test in mid October and everything was
> fine).
>
> Not sure what to do but it's getting colder and I need to put the car
> away for the winter but want to get the problem solved before I do.
>
> Does anybody have any thoughts or suggestions?
>
> MUCH appreciated.
>
>
> Carol


  #3  
Old November 11th 05, 05:57 PM
Scott Hughes
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default 2000 Miata - Check Engine Light

"DBLZOOM" > wrote in
oups.com:
> If you suspect the cataylic convertor you should take it to a Mazda
> dealership and have them check it out. The catalytic convertor is
> warranted for 80,000 miles under the emmission control warranty (at
> least here in the States).
>
>
> Carol wrote:
>> check engine light came on again. Took it back, he checked it out and
>> checked the settings for the Catalytic Converter (which showed OK).
>>
>> He is now
>> saying that I need to replace the Catalytic Converter (its around
>> $1200) !!
>>
>> Carol


I'll second that about the 80k mi warranty. Tho iirc, it was a US fed
mandated warranty, so might not apply for you. Of course, if you're over
80k mi, it's moot anyway. I had my cat on my OTM replaced at the
79,800mi mark for free. On the bright side, I've been told by more than
one knowledgable person that there's a good chance the cat itself was
actually fine and that it was just a seal or something else that had the
problem. Could have fixed the problem for much less if it wasn't gonna
be warranty covered. If the warranty solution isn't available for you,
I'd definately get an opionion from a trusted mechanic or 2 before
replacing the cat. I've also been told that the $1200 that a dealer
charges for that is way more than it should be for that job (at least in
the Subaru world). Good luck.

-Scott
  #4  
Old November 11th 05, 06:55 PM
Carol
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default 2000 Miata - Check Engine Light

Thanks for the responses. I only have 49,500 km on it so now I will
have to check about the warranty. I purchased the car 2nd hand in
2003 and opted not to take the extended warranty so again, not sure if
it will be covered, unless it is an automatic thing with Mazda. $1200
was JUST the part here in Canada -- it is another $75 for installation
AND our wonderful GST and PST -- so I'm hoping I don't have to go
there.

Carol

On Fri, 11 Nov 2005 16:57:48 +0000 (UTC), Scott Hughes
> wrote:

>"DBLZOOM" > wrote in
roups.com:
>> If you suspect the cataylic convertor you should take it to a Mazda
>> dealership and have them check it out. The catalytic convertor is
>> warranted for 80,000 miles under the emmission control warranty (at
>> least here in the States).
>>
>>
>> Carol wrote:
>>> check engine light came on again. Took it back, he checked it out and
>>> checked the settings for the Catalytic Converter (which showed OK).
>>>
>>> He is now
>>> saying that I need to replace the Catalytic Converter (its around
>>> $1200) !!
>>>
>>> Carol

>
>I'll second that about the 80k mi warranty. Tho iirc, it was a US fed
>mandated warranty, so might not apply for you. Of course, if you're over
>80k mi, it's moot anyway. I had my cat on my OTM replaced at the
>79,800mi mark for free. On the bright side, I've been told by more than
>one knowledgable person that there's a good chance the cat itself was
>actually fine and that it was just a seal or something else that had the
>problem. Could have fixed the problem for much less if it wasn't gonna
>be warranty covered. If the warranty solution isn't available for you,
>I'd definately get an opionion from a trusted mechanic or 2 before
>replacing the cat. I've also been told that the $1200 that a dealer
>charges for that is way more than it should be for that job (at least in
>the Subaru world). Good luck.
>
> -Scott


  #5  
Old November 12th 05, 12:23 AM
Leon van Dommelen
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default 2000 Miata - Check Engine Light

Carol > wrote:

>Thanks for the responses. I only have 49,500 km on it so now I will
>have to check about the warranty. I purchased the car 2nd hand in
>2003 and opted not to take the extended warranty so again, not sure if
>it will be covered, unless it is an automatic thing with Mazda. $1200
>was JUST the part here in Canada


$1,200 seems excessive
http://www.carpartswholesale.com/cpw...converter.html

I paid about $150 for the aftermarket cat now on my 96.

Leon

> -- it is another $75 for installation
>AND our wonderful GST and PST -- so I'm hoping I don't have to go
>there.
>
>Carol
>
>On Fri, 11 Nov 2005 16:57:48 +0000 (UTC), Scott Hughes
> wrote:
>
>>"DBLZOOM" > wrote in
groups.com:
>>> If you suspect the cataylic convertor you should take it to a Mazda
>>> dealership and have them check it out. The catalytic convertor is
>>> warranted for 80,000 miles under the emmission control warranty (at
>>> least here in the States).
>>>
>>>
>>> Carol wrote:
>>>> check engine light came on again. Took it back, he checked it out and
>>>> checked the settings for the Catalytic Converter (which showed OK).
>>>>
>>>> He is now
>>>> saying that I need to replace the Catalytic Converter (its around
>>>> $1200) !!
>>>>
>>>> Carol

>>
>>I'll second that about the 80k mi warranty. Tho iirc, it was a US fed
>>mandated warranty, so might not apply for you. Of course, if you're over
>>80k mi, it's moot anyway. I had my cat on my OTM replaced at the
>>79,800mi mark for free. On the bright side, I've been told by more than
>>one knowledgable person that there's a good chance the cat itself was
>>actually fine and that it was just a seal or something else that had the
>>problem. Could have fixed the problem for much less if it wasn't gonna
>>be warranty covered. If the warranty solution isn't available for you,
>>I'd definately get an opionion from a trusted mechanic or 2 before
>>replacing the cat. I've also been told that the $1200 that a dealer
>>charges for that is way more than it should be for that job (at least in
>>the Subaru world). Good luck.
>>
>> -Scott

--
Leon van Dommelen Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)
http://www.dommelen.net/miata
EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)
  #6  
Old November 12th 05, 01:14 AM
Alan
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default 2000 Miata - Check Engine Light

Carol,
Probably what happened based on your description was the failed coil pack
cause the damage to the cat. When an engine misfires it dumps large amounts
of unburned fuel into the exhaust system. This will causes the cat to
overheat , even glow cherry red sometimes (this was the burning smell). If
this goes on for too long the inside of the cat melts down. You now have an
inefficient cat. The code that set should have been P0420 for cat
efficiency. You may have also damaged the downstream O2 sensor. In most
cases the dealer will replace the cat under the 8/80 warranty, but not the
O2 sensor. Good luck.
Alan
"Carol" > wrote in message
...
> Looking for advice on a recent problem ---
>
> I have a 2000 Miate which started running horrible all of a sudden --
> check engine light on steady and then flashing and then on steady
> again. Spoke to my mechanic's assistance and was told to drive it to
> his place but watch for oil pressure guage and water temp guage and
> not to "push" it.
>
> Started driving it (even though I really didn't want to). Drove maybe
> 10 km and then I was sure I smelled something "burning" so I pulled
> over and had it towed.
>
> Turned out to be my ignition coil. Had it replaced. The next day my
> check engine light came on again. Took it back, he checked it out and
> checked the settings for the Catalytic Converter (which showed OK).
> Figured it was maybe just running through stuff that had been in the
> gas tank when I had the original problem), and cleared the codes.
>
> To make a long story short, I have had the check engine light cleared
> a couple of times now but it has come back on. The code says
> something about the O2 sensor (or something like that). He is now
> saying that I need to replace the Catalytic Converter (its around
> $1200) !!
>
> Is there some way I can be sure that it's the Catalytic Converter?
> Can it be tested someway BEFORE I spend that kind of money? Could it
> be just a sensor of some sort or a loose wire?
>
> I live in Ontario where we have E-tests -- could having an E-test
> check it out? (I JUST had an e-test in mid October and everything was
> fine).
>
> Not sure what to do but it's getting colder and I need to put the car
> away for the winter but want to get the problem solved before I do.
>
> Does anybody have any thoughts or suggestions?
>
> MUCH appreciated.
>
>
> Carol



  #7  
Old November 12th 05, 06:56 AM
junktin
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default 2000 Miata - Check Engine Light

I had the same problem with my 2000 Miata this past summer. (At least
the same results- fouled cat converter.)

The car was out of warranty but the dealer replaced the cat converter
under the longer emissions warranty.

Question your dealer on this and perhaps visit another dealer but I
understood the emissions warranty is something like 7 years.

Dave

In article >,
Carol > wrote:

> Looking for advice on a recent problem ---
>
> I have a 2000 Miate which started running horrible all of a sudden --
> check engine light on steady and then flashing and then on steady
> again. Spoke to my mechanic's assistance and was told to drive it to
> his place but watch for oil pressure guage and water temp guage and
> not to "push" it.
>
> Started driving it (even though I really didn't want to). Drove maybe
> 10 km and then I was sure I smelled something "burning" so I pulled
> over and had it towed.
>
> Turned out to be my ignition coil. Had it replaced. The next day my
> check engine light came on again. Took it back, he checked it out and
> checked the settings for the Catalytic Converter (which showed OK).
> Figured it was maybe just running through stuff that had been in the
> gas tank when I had the original problem), and cleared the codes.
>
> To make a long story short, I have had the check engine light cleared
> a couple of times now but it has come back on. The code says
> something about the O2 sensor (or something like that). He is now
> saying that I need to replace the Catalytic Converter (its around
> $1200) !!
>
> Is there some way I can be sure that it's the Catalytic Converter?
> Can it be tested someway BEFORE I spend that kind of money? Could it
> be just a sensor of some sort or a loose wire?
>
> I live in Ontario where we have E-tests -- could having an E-test
> check it out? (I JUST had an e-test in mid October and everything was
> fine).
>
> Not sure what to do but it's getting colder and I need to put the car
> away for the winter but want to get the problem solved before I do.
>
> Does anybody have any thoughts or suggestions?
>
> MUCH appreciated.
>
>
> Carol

  #8  
Old November 12th 05, 06:43 PM
KWS
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default 2000 Miata - Check Engine Light

The '90 Miata continues to keep trucking along on the original catalytic
converter. I bought a 2000 Protégé recently that had a bad cat (and about
120K on the clock). A new one from Trussville Mazda, with gaskets, was
around $350. Installation was easy, at least for the Protégé.

Ken

"junktin" > wrote in message
...
> I had the same problem with my 2000 Miata this past summer. (At least
> the same results- fouled cat converter.)
>
> The car was out of warranty but the dealer replaced the cat converter
> under the longer emissions warranty.
>
> Question your dealer on this and perhaps visit another dealer but I
> understood the emissions warranty is something like 7 years.
>
> Dave
>
> In article >,
> Carol > wrote:
>
> > Looking for advice on a recent problem ---
> >
> > I have a 2000 Miate which started running horrible all of a sudden --
> > check engine light on steady and then flashing and then on steady
> > again. Spoke to my mechanic's assistance and was told to drive it to
> > his place but watch for oil pressure guage and water temp guage and
> > not to "push" it.
> >
> > Started driving it (even though I really didn't want to). Drove maybe
> > 10 km and then I was sure I smelled something "burning" so I pulled
> > over and had it towed.
> >
> > Turned out to be my ignition coil. Had it replaced. The next day my
> > check engine light came on again. Took it back, he checked it out and
> > checked the settings for the Catalytic Converter (which showed OK).
> > Figured it was maybe just running through stuff that had been in the
> > gas tank when I had the original problem), and cleared the codes.
> >
> > To make a long story short, I have had the check engine light cleared
> > a couple of times now but it has come back on. The code says
> > something about the O2 sensor (or something like that). He is now
> > saying that I need to replace the Catalytic Converter (its around
> > $1200) !!
> >
> > Is there some way I can be sure that it's the Catalytic Converter?
> > Can it be tested someway BEFORE I spend that kind of money? Could it
> > be just a sensor of some sort or a loose wire?
> >
> > I live in Ontario where we have E-tests -- could having an E-test
> > check it out? (I JUST had an e-test in mid October and everything was
> > fine).
> >
> > Not sure what to do but it's getting colder and I need to put the car
> > away for the winter but want to get the problem solved before I do.
> >
> > Does anybody have any thoughts or suggestions?
> >
> > MUCH appreciated.
> >
> >
> > Carol



  #9  
Old November 13th 05, 12:05 AM
Leon van Dommelen
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default 2000 Miata - Check Engine Light

"KWS" > wrote:

>The '90 Miata continues to keep trucking along on the original catalytic
>converter. I bought a 2000 Protégé recently that had a bad cat (and about
>120K on the clock). A new one from Trussville Mazda, with gaskets, was
>around $350. Installation was easy, at least for the Protégé.


Aftermarket M1 cats are less than half that.

Leon

>Ken
>
>"junktin" > wrote in message
...
>> I had the same problem with my 2000 Miata this past summer. (At least
>> the same results- fouled cat converter.)
>>
>> The car was out of warranty but the dealer replaced the cat converter
>> under the longer emissions warranty.
>>
>> Question your dealer on this and perhaps visit another dealer but I
>> understood the emissions warranty is something like 7 years.
>>
>> Dave
>>
>> In article >,
>> Carol > wrote:
>>
>> > Looking for advice on a recent problem ---
>> >
>> > I have a 2000 Miate which started running horrible all of a sudden --
>> > check engine light on steady and then flashing and then on steady
>> > again. Spoke to my mechanic's assistance and was told to drive it to
>> > his place but watch for oil pressure guage and water temp guage and
>> > not to "push" it.
>> >
>> > Started driving it (even though I really didn't want to). Drove maybe
>> > 10 km and then I was sure I smelled something "burning" so I pulled
>> > over and had it towed.
>> >
>> > Turned out to be my ignition coil. Had it replaced. The next day my
>> > check engine light came on again. Took it back, he checked it out and
>> > checked the settings for the Catalytic Converter (which showed OK).
>> > Figured it was maybe just running through stuff that had been in the
>> > gas tank when I had the original problem), and cleared the codes.
>> >
>> > To make a long story short, I have had the check engine light cleared
>> > a couple of times now but it has come back on. The code says
>> > something about the O2 sensor (or something like that). He is now
>> > saying that I need to replace the Catalytic Converter (its around
>> > $1200) !!
>> >
>> > Is there some way I can be sure that it's the Catalytic Converter?
>> > Can it be tested someway BEFORE I spend that kind of money? Could it
>> > be just a sensor of some sort or a loose wire?
>> >
>> > I live in Ontario where we have E-tests -- could having an E-test
>> > check it out? (I JUST had an e-test in mid October and everything was
>> > fine).
>> >
>> > Not sure what to do but it's getting colder and I need to put the car
>> > away for the winter but want to get the problem solved before I do.
>> >
>> > Does anybody have any thoughts or suggestions?
>> >
>> > MUCH appreciated.
>> >
>> >
>> > Carol

>

--
Leon van Dommelen Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)
http://www.dommelen.net/miata
EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)
  #10  
Old November 13th 05, 06:40 AM
KWS
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default 2000 Miata - Check Engine Light

Perhaps I should have asked some more when I was doing this repair. I did
check many (many!) places on the web and did not find much of anything that
would work with this car. There were some online suggestions of going to a
muffler shop where some clever guy with a torch would put on a general
purpose cat. I guess I considered this sort of half assed and wanted to do
the job right. I can't say for certain it was worth it but ... damn....it
sure went together easy!

Ken


"Leon van Dommelen" > wrote in message
...
> "KWS" > wrote:
>
> >The '90 Miata continues to keep trucking along on the original catalytic
> >converter. I bought a 2000 Protégé recently that had a bad cat (and about
> >120K on the clock). A new one from Trussville Mazda, with gaskets, was
> >around $350. Installation was easy, at least for the Protégé.

>
> Aftermarket M1 cats are less than half that.
>
> Leon
>
> >Ken
> >
> >"junktin" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> I had the same problem with my 2000 Miata this past summer. (At least
> >> the same results- fouled cat converter.)
> >>
> >> The car was out of warranty but the dealer replaced the cat converter
> >> under the longer emissions warranty.
> >>
> >> Question your dealer on this and perhaps visit another dealer but I
> >> understood the emissions warranty is something like 7 years.
> >>
> >> Dave
> >>
> >> In article >,
> >> Carol > wrote:
> >>
> >> > Looking for advice on a recent problem ---
> >> >
> >> > I have a 2000 Miate which started running horrible all of a sudden --
> >> > check engine light on steady and then flashing and then on steady
> >> > again. Spoke to my mechanic's assistance and was told to drive it to
> >> > his place but watch for oil pressure guage and water temp guage and
> >> > not to "push" it.
> >> >
> >> > Started driving it (even though I really didn't want to). Drove

maybe
> >> > 10 km and then I was sure I smelled something "burning" so I pulled
> >> > over and had it towed.
> >> >
> >> > Turned out to be my ignition coil. Had it replaced. The next day my
> >> > check engine light came on again. Took it back, he checked it out

and
> >> > checked the settings for the Catalytic Converter (which showed OK).
> >> > Figured it was maybe just running through stuff that had been in the
> >> > gas tank when I had the original problem), and cleared the codes.
> >> >
> >> > To make a long story short, I have had the check engine light cleared
> >> > a couple of times now but it has come back on. The code says
> >> > something about the O2 sensor (or something like that). He is now
> >> > saying that I need to replace the Catalytic Converter (its around
> >> > $1200) !!
> >> >
> >> > Is there some way I can be sure that it's the Catalytic Converter?
> >> > Can it be tested someway BEFORE I spend that kind of money? Could it
> >> > be just a sensor of some sort or a loose wire?
> >> >
> >> > I live in Ontario where we have E-tests -- could having an E-test
> >> > check it out? (I JUST had an e-test in mid October and everything

was
> >> > fine).
> >> >
> >> > Not sure what to do but it's getting colder and I need to put the car
> >> > away for the winter but want to get the problem solved before I do.
> >> >
> >> > Does anybody have any thoughts or suggestions?
> >> >
> >> > MUCH appreciated.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Carol

> >

> --
> Leon van Dommelen Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)
> http://www.dommelen.net/miata
> EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)



 




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