On my GSL-SE there's a little cylindrical object mounted on top of the housing between oil filter and clutch release cylinder. Has single wire running to it. It's probably in the manual, but I'm not sure what to look for.

 

It is a resistor.

 

I have searched to no avail, so I too would love to learn what it is for as well as what it is...

 

It's a condenser (capacitor). Used mainly for RFI possibly to quiet the rat's nest solenoids so you don't hear them in your radio.

 

Oh, I see.

 

Anybody know where you can get a replacement part for one of these? I'm down to the last couple from my parts cars, that wire gets real brittle.

 

No clue Ray, MAZDA might have them but for around $500 (only a guess, but it's a stealership). I have one that went on the dizzy if you would like it.

 

Any pictures or wiring color? I am looking at the FSM now.

 

Resistor !? My BAD! Condenser is right. I have bought one from the dealer before for my gsl-se.

I have the envelope it came in. Desc: Condenser Mazda part number 1757-24-334

I don't remember it being very expensive.

 

1757 means it's on old school part and has been commoly used since '74 without a superceding. I think j9fd3s would agree? That means it should be compatible with 12A rats nests.

 

The tan mazda envelope it came in is dated August 2000.

 

I'll check it out, a few years ago when I quizzed the local Mazda dealer on this they couldn't get one. Which probably means they couldn't make enough profit to get one.

Thanks for the offer Stu, I've been having some reception issues with my latest radio install, I don't think it's the condenser but if it is I'll give you a call.

 

There are two condensers. One of them is at the dizzy. This one ties into the coil (+) side of things and is used to suppress radio interference caused by the ignition system. The 2nd condenser (the one we are talking about here) only ties into the oil pressure sender. I know the FCs use the same setup as well (I haven't checked on the FDs). My guess is that Mazda used this to smooth any erratic readings on the oil pressure gauge (either electrical noise or just to give a smoother sweep of the reading with changing oil pressure). Mine has been disconnected for some time (wire broke) and I haven't noticed any isssue with the oil pressure readings.

The strange thing is that they already have capacitors (same thing as a condenser) tied to each meter inside the instrument cluster (where the sender connects to the meter and connects to the ground in the cluster). They could have just increased the capacitance of the one in the cluster instead of adding this one on the engine. Of course, there may be other reasons (problems showed up after the cluster was designed, not enough space in the cluster for the larger capacitor, engine ground being a bit different than cluster ground, etc.).


Edit: Here it is (see connection E-11). This is out of a 2nd gen FSM, but is the same setup for us.


So, I know what it connects to and I have an idea of why it is there, but it doesn't seem to cause any issues without it being there. It would be interesting to hear from a Mazda engineer as to why they had to add it.

 

I bought the one at the dizzy. I don't know if they are the same part numbers. I didn't realize there were 2. Sorry for leading you the wrong way.