Scanning ECU/CEL Codes? Whole day?

[bhrm]

So my CEL came on half way through my drive to oakville. My 3 only has 19,000km. I called in to Markham Mazda, closest one to my house for an appointment.

Convienantly they close at 6PM, the same time I get back from Oakville to Markham. So I book an appointment for Saturday and they said it takes a whole day to scan codes???

From the looks of it, looks like an emissions related thing. Car runs fine.

From my VW days, a scan or VAG-COM takes only 5 minutes. Or less.

WTF is going on?? I'm not pleased about leaving the car for a whole saturday. Plus they don't have shuttle service.

[mogul_pro]

Ya I hear ya I just waited an entire hour at my local mazda dealer for an oil change... that takes 15 mins at any other spot...

DEFIANTELY should not take all day to plug in and do a code scan... thats out of the question. Inquire as to why they project it to take so long and see what they have to say for themselves. I would be interested to hear the results of that convo.

[WhiteSpeed3]

lol i checked my CEL last week in 5 min

[bhrm]

Ya I hear ya I just waited an entire hour at my local mazda dealer for an oil change... that takes 15 mins at any other spot...

DEFIANTELY should not take all day to plug in and do a code scan... thats out of the question. Inquire as to why they project it to take so long and see what they have to say for themselves. I would be interested to hear the results of that convo.

Some garbage about putting it up and connecting to the computer system, inspecting, blah blah blah, and nonsense.

Markham Mazda, also home of the 2 hour oil change. At least they had Satellite HDTV and wireless internet so I was well entertained and happy. If only they served better coffee.....

[x_o_k_x]

had the same problem a while ago, not a big deal, i believe something with emmision, or could be the air filter, keep us posted

[SP33D 3]

whitby mazda told me the same thing... i guess cause service departments have an order in which cars they work on and there's a days waiting list?!?! either way i found it better just to invest in an obd-II reader... i ended up buying the aeroforce gauge and it works just as well, only problem is that it doesnt give a description of what the codes are

[RX9]

the dealer will always perform a "dyno" for problems such like CEL, if that covers by warranty, its free. otherwise you need to pay 110ish for the "dyno" alone.

[Carletonguy]

Ya I hear ya I just waited an entire hour at my local mazda dealer for an oil change... that takes 15 mins at any other spot...

DEFIANTELY should not take all day to plug in and do a code scan... thats out of the question. Inquire as to why they project it to take so long and see what they have to say for themselves. I would be interested to hear the results of that convo.

One hour is too definitely too long for Mazda 3's oil change, however I am not too crazy about any "15 mins" oil change. I have seen many customers come to my shop to ask for help, and find out loosed drain plug/oil filter/oil cap, under/overfill engine oil or oil burning smell(no time to clean up the dirty oil on oil pan??). In my opinion, it's all time related. Especially most "15 mins oil change shop" hires young apprentice who has little experience in this auto service field.

[mogul_pro]

One hour is too definitely too long for Mazda 3's oil change, however I am not too crazy about any "15 mins" oil change. I have seen many customers come to my shop to ask for help, and find out loosed drain plug/oil filter/oil cap, under/overfill engine oil or oil burning smell(no time to clean up the dirty oil on oil pan??). In my opinion, it's all time related. Especially most "15 mins oil change shop" hires young apprentice who has little experience in this auto service field.


The place I went to with my old car was pretty good though, the customer stands right beside the guysworking onthe car, they have a guy in a lowered area that stays under the car and a guy at ground level working on it at the same time. You watch them make sure there is no spill, and when they are done they show you your oil level with the dip stick. Very popular place here in niagara, they do very high volume because of the fast service and quality work. That being said, I can understand where your standpoint is because its not hard to imagine other quick oil change places provide a lower quality service.

[Wild Weasel]

Had a code on my Sunfire once. Went to the dealer and my regular service rep just went and got the hand scanner, hooked it up, got the code, and I was on my way. :)

It takes a minute or two. You just need someone willing to do it for you.

[bj21]

sounds like a scheduling thing and they want car for extended period so they can look at it when they want to....they plug the thing in and up comes the code - should take no longer than 5 minutes of actual "work"....i would schedule an appointment and tell dealership that you will wait...hopefully that gives them the message that you dont want to wait around

try asking for an appointment first thing in the morning - tell them that you want to be first up as you are going to wait for the car

bj21

[CanadaGTO]

If you're in the Brampton area I can scan and clear it for free :)

Same offer to anyone from the forums willing to come to Brampton when I'm home.

[WhiteSpeed3]

same here i got a scanner at work for anyone in brampton if patrique is to busy

[bhrm]

One hour is too definitely too long for Mazda 3's oil change, however I am not too crazy about any "15 mins" oil change. I have seen many customers come to my shop to ask for help, and find out loosed drain plug/oil filter/oil cap, under/overfill engine oil or oil burning smell(no time to clean up the dirty oil on oil pan??). In my opinion, it's all time related. Especially most "15 mins oil change shop" hires young apprentice who has little experience in this auto service field.


One hour is okay and acceptable. With my VW, I just spend an hour chatting with my mechanic. Time flies.

One hour without any sort of human interaction or entertainment = no way.

Update:

CEL went away. I'm skipping the appointment. Should be fine and now I can sleep in on Saturday morning.

[Dragazn]

If you are going to take it to Markham Mazda, make sure you slap some of the people there. They are out to get you. Many BAD experiences there.

[x_o_k_x]

I dont mind waiting, but not a whole day.. I usually go check out cars haha ask a few questions or chat with people.. As long as its a reasonable time.
I think they want you to leave a car, because they also have other cars to service i guess. But doesnt make sence to me