08 Mazda 3 MPS - TCS light won't go out

No Pants

Car was fine on Saturday, didn't move on Sunday and last night, when I took it out for a spin, the TCS light remained on. Parked it up, but when I started it again, the light stayed on. Any suggestions as to what I should check first?

stealthyspeeder

I'd firstly try turning the system completely off (start the car up holding down the traction control button), then on again, by restarting the car (not touching the button) to rule out an electrical gremlin.

After that
Look at getting the brakes bled
ABS sensor (maybe needs replacing)
ABS control unit (get a mechanic to check its not damaged)

Common enough problem with Mazda's apparently (not one I experienced when I owned a 3 MPS though)

see the link below

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123790522-TCS-lights-stay-on-for-no-reason

88manta

A diagnostic check with proper professional equipment would be a good start.

If you let me know what area you're in I may be able to recommend someone to you.

No Pants

Brought it to a dealer as I had some other business there. They tried to clear it, but it came back. The error was "C1288 Brake pressure sensor circuit failure".

Next step is to get that looked at by someone good at diagnosing problems. I don't want a parts-thrower as that'll get expensive.

George Dalton

It will be usual problem with that ABS unit. They are fitted to loads of different makes and models and they all give the same trouble. It is a well known fault.

Where are you located?

No Pants

George Dalton wrote: »

It will be usual problem with that ABS unit. They are fitted to loads of different makes and models and they all give the same trouble. It is a well known fault.

Where are you located?

Live in Swords and work in Blanch.

88manta

Look up this site

I think its

www.ecutesting.com

Place based in England.

I've got a few repaired with them. The give a warranty also.

No Pants

88manta wrote: »

Look up this site

I think its

www.ecutesting.com

Place based in England.

I've got a few repaired with them. The give a warranty also.

So I have to get the unit removed, refurbished in England and fitted again? I need to get that verified before I jump to cause. Could it just be a connection or a wire that's gone?

George Dalton

You don't need to do that. There is a repair kit available for them. You can get the whole job done in about 3 hours for under €400 all in.

No Pants

Since this is a known issue with the unit to such an extent that a third party has established a business around a fix, have any of the car manufacturers offered a rework?

George Dalton

Yes, hence my mention of the repair kit above. We don't use third party repairs, we use the genuine parts from each manufacturer.

The brake pressure sensor is inside the hydraulic side of the ABS unit. When the failures started happening the only solution was to replace the entire unit. However since the problem is so widespread all of the manufacturers affected (with the exception of Honda) have made the hydraulic half of the ABS unit available separately, which is much cheaper than buying the whole unit as before.

No Pants

George Dalton wrote: »

Yes, hence my mention of the repair kit above. We don't use third party repairs, we use the genuine parts from each manufacturer.

The brake pressure sensor is inside the hydraulic side of the ABS unit. When the failures started happening the only solution was to replace the entire unit. However since the problem is so widespread all of the manufacturers affected (with the exception of Honda) have made the hydraulic half of the ABS unit available separately, which is much cheaper than buying the whole unit as before.

Do you recommend anywhere for this? I don't want somewhere that'll just chuck the €400 kit at it and hope for the best.

George Dalton

I don't know anybody in your area who would be familiar with them but I can tell you that we have done upwards of 50 of these MK60 repairs for this fault code and the repair kit has always worked so you are pretty safe to just go ahead and get it done.

The €400 I quoted is for the part and fitting, not just the part. Don't go to Mazda for the kit as they want crazy money for it. A Ford Focus kit is the same and is approx 1/3rd of the price.

johnayo

No Pants wrote: »

Do you recommend anywhere for this? I don't want somewhere that'll just chuck the €400 kit at it and hope for the best.

Might be a good idea to book it in with George. He is giving you real good advice there.

No Pants

johnayo wrote: »

Might be a good idea to book it in with George. He is giving you real good advice there.

I'll consider it if some can tell me where George is.

Tea 1000

No Pants wrote: »

I'll consider it if some can tell me where George is.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=George+Dalton&l=1

No Pants

Tea 1000 wrote: »

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=George+Dalton&l=1

Thanks. I didn't consider George Dalton to be his real name. :pac::o

No Pants

Just been into a Mazda dealership to confirm the code. The C1288 is there, but there's also a C1440 for the OSF Speedometer Sensor. So I'll need one of those too.

I don't know if you're reading this George, but I'll look to bring this down to you after next payday, maybe Saturday 26-Oct-2013. I'll PM you.

No Pants

All sorted, thanks George. I'm delighted to not have that light shining at me constantly.

George Dalton

Thank you Ciaran. It was good to meet you today. Nice car you have there ;-)

MetzgerMeister

George Dalton wrote: »

Thank you Ciaran. It was good to meet you today. Nice car you have there ;-)

Right, now hows about you change my front turbo for me next???

George Dalton

Never done one but we don't usually shy away from that kind of work :pac:

No Pants

George Dalton wrote: »

Thank you Ciaran. It was good to meet you today. Nice car you have there ;-)

It gets me from A to B. Quickly.