I need your help once again

Sometimes when I'm driving around the check engine light will go on (randomly) and then shut off a while later (time on varies in length ). Anyone have any ideas of what could be causing this? What else would you need to know before you could figure out the diagnosis? Thanks again for your help, I really appreciate it.

Tyler

 

Bad wiring.. Or bad problem. Get a diagnostic if you're worried

 

Pull the trouble codes and find out what it is. You need to connect the TEN and GRD terminals in the diagnostic box under the hood. Turn the key on and the codes will flash on the CEL.

 

Do I need a special tool for that?
I've never understood what people meant by pulling codes. Also, I have no idea what a TEN GRD or CEL are, sorry. I'm not too good with electronic stuff.

 

http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/engine_codes.html

 

they are ports in the diag. box near the battery.

check engine light - cel

get a wire and stick one end in the 'ten' slot and the other in the 'gnd' slot.

this will make sense if you open that little box box.


ever pop the hood? not being an ***, just wondering?

 

Sorry I seem like an idiot, but I told you - I don't know much about this car - I know A LOT about the MX-6 (I had a 94 MX-6 before this car). I know little about the RX-7. I am trying to learn as I go. Thanks for your help, I will try to do that today, and tell you what I found later.

 

Thanks for your help, by the way

 

We all had to learn, so no problem...just glad I could help...like I said this will all make sense once your under the hood.

 

OK, using the advice given to me, I pulled the codes (I felt so proud of myself when I figured it out - don't know why, but I did ) I got the following codes: 16 & 9 (9 = water thermosensor, 16 = EGR valve [california only]). I'm not too worried about the EGR valve, because I live in Michigan, but the water thermosensor might be bad. Anyone want to tell me what that is, what it does, and how to fix it? Thanks again

- Tyler

 

water thermosensor.. hmmm.. let me check. i'll get back to you.
oh and by the way i still feel proud when i get a reading on my cel. always feels good to be doing something for my rx7.

 

OK.....I searched the site and read the articles on the sensor. I now know that it controls how lean/rich the fuel is based on the engine temp. This malfunction makes sense because it seems like my car stalls pretty easy when the car is cold. Now, one last thing is needed. I know I can get the part through the local Mazda dealer for about $50. I don't know how to find the sensor, though, or know if I could replace it myself. I read one place that it is by the Y-pipe, but, as you can guess, I don't know what that is, either (sorry). Could someone please let me know how to find the water thermosensor? Thanks a lot guys

- Tyler

 

So, does anyone know where I can find the water thermosensor and if I could fix it myself? It's getting a little annoying having my car stall two or three times while driving when the engine is cold. Thanks

Tyler

 

If your car is stalling easy when its cold you might also want to check your O2 sensor. My CEL is doing the same thing, code 11 I believe... o2 sensor. I need to get it replaced.