Learning Japanese

[DrEntropy]

Neighbor with a G37 Infinity we did some extensive engine work on last year (oil pump shattered) has a 2008 Mazda 3 as the wife's grocery-getter. The little beastie went to limp mode recently, the cheezy code reader I have said the Transmission Control Module wasn't talking to the ECM... We went to YouTube for some visuals, then Mazda Forums. Seems the TCM issue is not uncommon with these models. We priced a new TCM and found that insulting ($350~$500, depending on source!) considering just WHERE the engineers decided to mount the unit: On TOP of the transmission case, just rear of the engine. It is bound to get hot enough to eventually fail. Sent the unit to an outfit in Lauderdale for a rebuild ($200--wasted) with "no joy". While hunting for a used unit, driving the car in third as the top gear caused a previously faulty repair (by either a ham-fisted P.O. or unscrupulous shop) of a plastic coolant manifold to leak, an engine overheat resulted, shooting superheated coolant onto the TCM. That cooked the "reconditioned" unit for certain. Replaced the coolant manifold (approx. $30), leak stopped. Got a good used TCM ($180) yesterday and installed it on the firewall, ran a good ground lead, all well away from direct contact with the aluminum trans case. Now no AT fault light, no overheating engine, shifts smoothly through the cogs.

This would have been a repair at a dealership costing well more than the car is worth. An independent shop came close to that.

What a game we play.

 

[JPSmit]

good on you for being a good neighbour!

 

[pdplot]

You obviously knew what you were doing. I know little enough of old cars but less than nothing about new ones, plus I would have to climb into the engine compartment to reach many items. I'm at the mercy of my dealer and when out of warranty, my indy shop. Crank sensor? That's when I come near another old geezer. TCM? How about TCP - Tomcat p#ss - remember that stuff?

 

[pdplot]

In addition, every time I work on a car I get broken blood vessels/purple blotches on my hands and arms. Picture attached. Blood thinners like coumadin will do that to you.

 

[DrEntropy]

Well after the fourth time removing all the plastic covers, battery, ECM and suchlike, no blood sacrifice was needed this time. I count it as a minor miracle.

 

[Ian Mckenzie]

In addition, every time I work on a car I get broken blood vessels/purple blotches on my hands and arms. Picture attached. Blood thinners like coumadin will do that to you.

You surely love what you do, try to be extra careful next time.

 

[DrEntropy]

Update: They found a clean well maintained Toyota RAV4 for the wife.

...anybody want a 2008 Mazda 3, cheap?

 

[DrEntropy]

Same neighbor has a manual six-speed Nissan Altima, his daily commuter. He keeps his G37 in the garage, that's his toy. The Altima came home squealing like a pig a while back, belt noise and smoke. Alternator check showed only battery voltage while running (after cool-down, and no more squealing). Got an alternator today along with a new serpentine belt. Once the alternator is swapped out we'll have to run it long enough to determine if that was the whole issue. Could be coincidental to failure of one of the other spinny things driven by that belt... Waiting for a halt to all the rain before we begin the task.

The G37 engine bay after all the work and some added bling and paintwork: