13th Feb 2007, 13:30
My wife and I purchased our Mazda 626 LX back in 1997. It has an automatic transmission, which is where the majority of 626 problems reside. I have had the check engine light on forever; I just ignore it now. The transmission has had heavy bouts of the dreaded flashing OD light coming on.
See this link for more information.
14th Feb 2007, 13:40
I have a 1998 Mazda 626 LX. I bought the car used with 98,000 miles on it in Feb. of 2005.
A couple of comments:
1) If the check engine light has come on, there is a reason. You can buy an OBDII code reader for those cars older than 1996, and find out yourself what the error code is saying.
2) The transmissions put in the 1994-2002 4 cylinder 626 are from Ford, and it's known as the CD4E transmission. This transmission is too small for the 626 4 cylinder, and needs an external transmission cooler. Otherwise the transmission fluid gets too hot and ruins the transmission.
I installed an external transmission cooler immediately after I bought it, and so far so good, with 109,000 miles on it.
3) Also added ground wires can prevent computer problems in your car, that could be mistaken for transmission trouble.
Go to mazda626.net and do a search to find out how to do it.
If you have to replace the transmission, DON'T! I would not, since it's $2K-$3K more money into a 626. You're better off biting the bullet and buying a Honda or even a V6 version of the 626.
Good luck!
24th Feb 2007, 18:17
I purchased a Mazda 626LX two years ago, I read the comments on line about the car. I was warned to buy the cooler for the transmission by you great people, however, I needed to wait a couple of months until I had extra money. BIG, BIG, BIG, mistake! As a result of my procrastination and the mistake by the Mazda, I was left with a $2,000 bill. If you have this car, please don't hesitate to amend the cooling problem like I did. It's better to spend the $150.00 than to spend the $2,000 for a whole new transmission.
We also have had the car taken in for check engine light (it is still on)
Problems with the idle also occurred.
The car has been running fine for the last nine months or so and hopefully the worst is over. All in all the car has cost us approximately $3,000 in repairs since the purchase in 2005.
I must say it is a fun car to drive and even though it has caused us headaches and debt, I am glad to have this car.
7th Mar 2007, 18:57
I have a 1999 MAZDA 629 4 Cyl. Can anyone tell me where I can obtain battery cables for it. I had a battery put in last year. Apparently, the cables are two short (according to the mechanic at Precision Tune). The last place I want to go is the dealership. I know that will automatically cost me an arm and two legs. Can anyone help?
23rd Mar 2007, 08:47
I purchased a 1998 626, 4 cyl, 5 speed last year with 118K on it. I now have 145K and the car is doing well. My check engine light comes on every few weeks with the P0421 code, I reset it and continue on. I did have an idle problem. When I came to a stop and put the clutch in, the car would drop to 500 RPM's and almost die. It would then jump back to about 800 RPM's. If I sat at an idle for about 2 minutes it would begin to surge between 500 and 1000 then die. It turned out that my intake manifold gasket had a 1/4 inch section that had been sucked in on the #2 port. I purchased a new intake manifold gasket (FelPro) for $8 and spent about 2 hours replacing it (the dealer wanted $300 for the job). It now runs great.
8th May 2007, 15:05
1999 Mazda 626 LX-V6.
The engine light is on. I get hesitation when accelerating, but not slipping in the transmission. Is the transmission in the V6 relatively reliable when compared to the 4 cyl? Any thoughts on the engine light and the hesitation in acceleration?
4th Jul 2007, 20:38
I have a 2001 Mazda 626 LXv6 that developed some hesitant jerking when accelerating on the free way. Some months later the engine light came on, but soon went off for a short while. Needless to say the light soon came on and stayed on. I took the car to the dealership and the engine diagnosis revealed that I should have spark plugs and cables replaced. I immediately had it done for $650 dollars and the problem is now a thing of the past. This all happened at about 82000 miles I am now at 87700 miles and going strong. I love my car.
5th Jul 2007, 09:57
I am the original owner of a '99 626 6 cylinder, manual transmission with 88,000 miles. To date the car has been trouble free with routine preventative maintenance. However within the past year the car will sometimes shake violently when releasing the clutch from 1st gear from a stop. After that it shifts fine. The problem seems to be intermittent; but occuring more frequently lately.
I have read many posts on this board and found no similar issues, most posts seem to concern the automatic.
I think the problem lies in the clutch; however after reading all the issues with transmissions, I am having second thoughts.
Does anyone have any suggestions or similar problems?
Any ideas on other web sites to visit concerning Mazda's?
23rd Jan 2007, 12:06
I just bought my 99 Mazda 626 LX and after reading all these comments. It was extremely discouraging. My "check engine" light just recently came on. I've only had the car for about 2 months and it was fine at first. Then it started idling when it was in park and warming. The engine would seem as if it was going to die then start up again. I am currently experiencing all the problems of all Mazda owners. And reading the tips on how to deal with the problems, I don't have that kind of money to put into this car, especially when my work requires me to drive around town.
I'd initially thought it was the spark plug wires, but I highly doubt it. And the first time I popped the hood opened, I was somewhat surprised at the mixture of car parts in the engine, both ford and Mazda. Well, I will do what people have written down, take out the battery to see if the "check engine" light will go off. And maybe replace the air filter, I'd just done an oil change with oil filter replacement. Hopefully this problem is a minor glitch and the light goes off or I will be extremely disappointed. I'm worried just reading the comments and knowing I'm experiencing the same problems. I am truly disappointed at Mazda and their failure to meet the expectations of their customers. please email me if you have any tips or advices. muasxyooj@gmail.com.
Thank you and hope everyone has better luck with their next car. As long as it's not a Mazda.