New recall?

[Newlook]

Anyone got a call from their dealership regarding a \"problem with the heating system\"? What is that all about?

[civiclad]

Haven\'t heard anything about a \"new recall.\"

[idreamofmazda]

What could go wrong with a heating system? The only thing that I can think of is a leak in the heater-core, causing hot fluid to drip on your feet.

[majic]

Originally posted by civiclad


Haven\'t heard anything about a \"new recall.\"

maybe it\'s an old recall :p

but seriously now.. did u search other mazda3 boards wrt this?

[Newlook]

Not yet.... It\'s heating problem and something about coolant...... the guy spoke too fast in the voice mail.

[FLIPDADY]

I think you\'re talking about this.

http://en.portal.dealers.mazda.ca/Service/Service%20Bulletins/07-04-04.pdf

[bluntman]

^^^ Links don\'t work, this one or the .doc file.

[FLIPDADY]

Originally posted by bluntman


^^^ Links don\'t work, this one or the .doc file.
Just realized that link is only for dealers signed on to Mazda.:D

[david3]

so what\'s it about flipspeed?

[Newlook]

Oh I found out... it was my survey that I put HVAC problem, coolant not topped up and wiper blades don\'t do sh!t..... So now they called me back and asked me to go to the dealership to have the problems solved.

The HVAC problem was actually the A/C not cold enough during hot days.... I believe it was previously explained here and it\'s normal.

[FLIPDADY]

Basically the bulletin says in extremely cold weather -20 C, some 3\'s experience poor heat when the car is stopped at idle.

The airflow volume is higher than other models.(About 15% larger than other models). Because of this, the volume of warm air coming from the air vents is larger, but the air temperature from the vents is lower. As a result you feel the heater doesn\'t work very well.

If this applies to anyone please contact your dealer.

[mEtH]

Originally posted by FLIPSPEED


Basically the bulletin says in extremely cold weather -20 C, some 3\'s experience poor heat when the car is stopped at idle.

The airflow volume is higher than other models.(About 15% larger than other models). Because of this, the volume of warm air coming from the air vents is larger, but the air temperature from the vents is lower. As a result you feel the heater doesn\'t work very well.

If this applies to anyone please contact your dealer.

I don\'t know if thats what im feeling but I believe that in my car before this (95 Plymouth Colt GL) I felt the heat more and quicker then this one does. I find that I am driving with the heat at mid and set to 2. Just so that the car stays comfortable, it could be just that im a baby when it comes to the cold BUT I LIKE IT WARM!!!! Im sure its just the way the temperatur is going.

[everfeb]

Originally posted by FLIPSPEED


Basically the bulletin says in extremely cold weather -20 C, some 3\'s experience poor heat when the car is stopped at idle.

The airflow volume is higher than other models.(About 15% larger than other models). Because of this, the volume of warm air coming from the air vents is larger, but the air temperature from the vents is lower. As a result you feel the heater doesn\'t work very well.

If this applies to anyone please contact your dealer.

Thanks FLIPSPEED...is there a bulletin # or anything I can refer my dealer to? I bot my 3S-GT in Dec.04 (Oct 03 build date). It was brutally cold here in NW Ont. in Jan-Feb 04.
Around town at low speeds and idle it was like there was NO floor heat regardless of where fan or temp controls were. This is particularly annoying to me because when it\'s cold outside my feet really feel it more than anything. In the same weather our other car was fine. And in the same weather the dash vents did blow out a satisfactory volume and temperature of air. I did find the defrost setting quite weak but much better than the floor heat.

BTW...I read somewhere that when HVAC system is in defrost mode the \"air conditioner\" comes on. Do you know if this is true?

Thanks for your help. Regards,
everfeb

[bluntman]

Originally posted by everfeb


BTW...I read somewhere that when HVAC system is in defrost mode the \"air conditioner\" comes on. Do you know if this is true?

Thanks for your help. Regards,
everfeb

Yes, this will occur. The engineers did this so that dry air (the air conditioning system removes all humidity from the air being blown into the cabin) is blown onto the windshield so that it does not fog up.

[hotgo]

That is such a lousy reason to make it behave like this without being able to turn it off.

If I don\'t have A/C installed on my car, are they saying that I can\'t drive safely in humid conditions??? I have a button that turns the A/C on and off... so here\'s a radical idea, let\'s use it!!!

...end of rant.

So, does anyone have an easy way to disable the A/C in the floor and defrost position?

[majic]

question.. when i test drove the 3, i turned the fan to off/0 position and then turned on the defroster.. the AC light never came on - does that mean it\'s not on or still on but no light?

[bluntman]

Originally posted by majic


question.. when i test drove the 3, i turned the fan to off/0 position and then turned on the defroster.. the AC light never came on - does that mean it\'s not on or still on but no light?

As long as the fan is on and the air is going to be blown onto the windshield, the AC will switch itself on. Do you mean that you pressed the button to the right of the fresh air/recirculate button, the one that lights up orange when you press it? If so, that\'s the defroster for the rear window and the outside rearview mirrors.



Originally posted by hotgo


That is such a lousy reason to make it behave like this without being able to turn it off.

If I don\'t have A/C installed on my car, are they saying that I can\'t drive safely in humid conditions??? I have a button that turns the A/C on and off... so here\'s a radical idea, let\'s use it!!!

...end of rant.

So, does anyone have an easy way to disable the A/C in the floor and defrost position?

All they are saying is that it\'s going to take longer for your to defrost your windshield if you don\'t have AC. I think someone asked about disabling the AC in those positions in the MZ3F.com forums, do a search there. Remember, having the AC on doesn\'t always mean that you\'re going to get a blast of cold air in the winter, the temperature dial will dictate the air temperature, having the AC on in the winter just means that you aren\' blowing moist air onto the windshield.

[hotgo]

I understand the benefits of using A/C to take out the humidity and I\'ve used it in the winter on my previous car (Mazda MX6), but I just don\'t like the fact that the took the control away from the driver to turn it on or off.

In the winter I like to split the airflow between the windshield and feet but it\'s only rarely that the A/C is needed to clear the glass.

1. It reduces gas mileage as the A/C needs to be powered.
2. It affects how quickly you get warm air upon starting the car as the A/C will cool the car quicker than the heater can warm it up. (this is not an issue once the engine reaches operating temperature)

Given that not many people are bothered by this, I guess I\'m in the minority with this beef :(

But yes, if I can find a easy way to disable this feature, that would be awesome.

[Melenium]

I\'m also not a fan of the A/C being turned on automatically. Unless I\'m mistaken, the light doesn\'t even come on next to the a/c button. Irritating.

There are two benefits though: it will keep the seals in better shape since it will actually get used instead of just sitting around for most of the winter. The second thing is that I haven\'t noticed much of a power drain with the a/c on in the 2.3 5sp. In my old car it felt like it stole 10hp.

[Xenon]

I don\'t find a power difference either (this is a good thing). The only thing that I can protest to having the A/C come on by itself is the fuel consumption. But if it defogs my windows quicker, then so be it.

[everfeb]

Originally posted by FLIPSPEED


Basically the bulletin says in extremely cold weather -20 C, some 3\'s experience poor heat when the car is stopped at idle.

The airflow volume is higher than other models.(About 15% larger than other models). Because of this, the volume of warm air coming from the air vents is larger, but the air temperature from the vents is lower. As a result you feel the heater doesn\'t work very well.

If this applies to anyone please contact your dealer.

Flipspeed...do you know if your dealership has had any cars come in with this situation and if so is there a fix for it??? Is there a bulletin # I can refer my dealer to??? Thanks.

everfeb

[Newlook]

Originally posted by Xenon


I don\'t find a power difference either (this is a good thing). The only thing that I can protest to having the A/C come on by itself is the fuel consumption. But if it defogs my windows quicker, then so be it.

Since the tempature control dictates the settings, having the heat on in winter would only bring the A/C on mininum workload (to dry the air). In the summer the A/C is on full force to cool the air inside the car, so you would feel some power lost and decrease fuel consumption. In winter it should not be a big deal unless you have your temperature dial on \"cool\".

One more thing. When you have the heat on max (back in a few weeks when it was -20), vent setting on \"def/foot\", after awhile you could smell some unpleasent odour like something is burning. I think it\'s the boiling hot heater + A/C? Anyone has the same problem?

[Eric]

Originally posted by FLIPSPEED


Basically the bulletin says in extremely cold weather -20 C, some 3\'s experience poor heat when the car is stopped at idle.

The airflow volume is higher than other models.(About 15% larger than other models). Because of this, the volume of warm air coming from the air vents is larger, but the air temperature from the vents is lower. As a result you feel the heater doesn\'t work very well.

If this applies to anyone please contact your dealer.

Flipspeed (or anyone that knows), What does the fix consist of? If the problem is due to higher volume of air, is the fix just a restriction on air flow? I can t\\do that myself by just turning the fan down a notch. Can you provide details? Better heat would be great.

[david3]

Originally posted by Newlook
after awhile you could smell some unpleasent odour like something is burning. I think it\'s the boiling hot heater + A/C? Anyone has the same problem?

you know, sometimes I do smell a light burning. maybe I\'m just going crazy though.

[Newlook]

Originally posted by david3



Originally posted by Newlook
after awhile you could smell some unpleasent odour like something is burning. I think it\'s the boiling hot heater + A/C? Anyone has the same problem?

you know, sometimes I do smell a light burning. maybe I\'m just going crazy though.

Yeah that smell... but only when using front def.
Those Ford E450 vans at work would have the same smell. I guess it\'s normal but I just don\'t like it...