My Mazda 3 is throwing code P0126. The MIL extinguished two days after appearing and then returned. That's when I went to O'Reilly Auto to get the code pulled.

I flushed and replaced the coolant earlier this summer at 80K miles and the level is good. That leads me to believe the ECT is bad. The problem is that I can't find any decent diagrams online that show its location. People on the many Mazda forums my searches yield seem more adept at installing air fresheners in their vehicles that troubleshooting or rendering (competent) mechanical advice. So far, I believe a 19mm socket is needed to remove the sensor but the icing on the cake is knowing the sensor's location.

Assistance is greatly appreciated.

 

Would the p0126 lean towards a bad thermostat?... The ect is on the back of the engine by the tranny dipstick.. Look down below the wires and everything... Might need a mirror and flashlight

 

I don't see how, considering the temperature gauge operates properly.

Wow, it sounds like I need to get my dentist involved.

 

Not easy to get to thats for sure.. I had to do one before and it was a royal pain

 

The MIL extinguished on the way home last night and then became active. To me, that's indicative of a sensor issue and not the thermostat.

 

Well start with the sensor and go from there.. Weird how it comes on and off.. does the car seem to be running ok?

 

The car is running fine although I think it's drinking a tad more gasoline than it should.

 

lame having it all the way back there...another reason to own a chevy S10!!! its right on the front of the engine next to the thermostat. very easy to get to! everything is easy to do on those trucks come to think of it, my cummins has one right smack on the front of the motor too!

moral of the story, don't buy fordanese cars! (mazda = japan + ford collaboration)

 

You're going to have to kidnap him on your next appointment there.

 

The CE light kept extinguishing itself and then would reappear during downshifts. Now that the fall term at school completed, I was able to take it to the dealer to see what the issue was and what the warranty would cover.

Well, the thermostat is bad, hence the coolant temp issue. That's a weird one since the temp gauge operates as it should and I have heat. The warranty company won't cover it, which really floored the service writer.

A second code for a faulty transmission pressure sensor is present, which the warranty will cover.

Third, the service writer said she could tell I had a broken motor mount when she drove the car out of the service bay. Sure enough, the tech said one was broken. I wondered about that as a funky vibration started just in the last couple of days. The warranty will cover that as well.