Broken Mk1 Mx5 PCM signal - help required please!

Broken Mk1 Mx5 PCM signal - help required please!

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ali_kat

Original Poster:

31,995 posts

222 months

Monday 22nd September 2008
quotequote all
OK, how the hell am I supposed to get to it to get the fuse out & replace it??

I'm squeezed into a tiny space, holding a (tiny) torch with one hand, and no room to get my other hand in to pull at the fuse.

Suggestions please?

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Combover

3,009 posts

228 months

Monday 22nd September 2008
quotequote all
There's one under the bonnet and one on the interior (driver's side) underneath the bonnet pull towards the bulkhead.

Put torch in mouth, put roof down and lie upside down with your head by the pedals and your feet touching the headrest.

Use a pair of needle-nose plyers.

ali_kat

Original Poster:

31,995 posts

222 months

Monday 22nd September 2008
quotequote all
Combover said:
There's one under the bonnet and one on the interior (driver's side) underneath the bonnet pull towards the bulkhead.
Tis the one under the bonnet pull frown

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The indicator fuse went this morning, at least, I'm hoping that is all it is, the RPM and Oil gauge went at the same time, reading the manual yikes they are all the same fuse, so fingers crossed biggrin

Zebrano

820 posts

216 months

Monday 22nd September 2008
quotequote all
I too use the roof off and upside down method... but being a fat bd just makes it more interesting for the neighbors watching.

ciderminx

809 posts

205 months

Monday 22nd September 2008
quotequote all
ali_kat said:
The indicator fuse went this morning, at least, I'm hoping that is all it is, the RPM and Oil gauge went at the same time, reading the manual yikes they are all the same fuse, so fingers crossed biggrin
Ooh i had the same problem a couple of weeks back. My fogs blew the fuse, although i was under the impression they were wired through the cigarette lighter.
Fortunately i'm a short arse and can lie backwards into the footwell and just about get into the fuse box.
I carry a box of mixed fuses about with me now.

ali_kat

Original Poster:

31,995 posts

222 months

Monday 22nd September 2008
quotequote all
ciderminx said:
Fortunately i'm a short arse

I carry a box of mixed fuses about with me now.
Where did you say you were again? hehe

Don't have any 'spares' places in walking distance of work, so went into Lister's (next door hehe) where the nice man took pity on me and gave me a fuse thumbup

Now to 'charm' my co-worker to help me change it later - no tweezers on me hehe

Wigeon Incognito

3,271 posts

219 months

Monday 22nd September 2008
quotequote all
If you're having trouble physically removing the fuse, find a co-worker with a Porsche (a BMW would probably do too, maybe other German cars).

They all have fuse pullers in them, either in the tool kit or clipped in the fusebox like mine.

ali_kat

Original Poster:

31,995 posts

222 months

Monday 22nd September 2008
quotequote all
Wigeon Incognito said:
If you're having trouble physically removing the fuse, find a co-worker with a Porsche (a BMW would probably do too, maybe other German cars).

They all have fuse pullers in them, either in the tool kit or clipped in the fusebox like mine.
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He has a BMW biggrin

GravelBen

15,723 posts

231 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2008
quotequote all
My Subaru has a fuse-puller in the fusebox too IIRC.

DennisTheMenace

15,603 posts

269 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2008
quotequote all
my mk1 has a fuse puller , also fitted these
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BLADE-FUSE-GLOWS-20-SMART-FU...

ali_kat

Original Poster:

31,995 posts

222 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2008
quotequote all
Pah - no fuse puller and he couldn't get in the gap to pull, but did tell me that VW had given me the wrong size fuze hehe

Ended up having to drive to the parts shoinn Kenilwroth - cue lots of angry horns hehe

They lent me a pair of pliers, and sold me the fuses (I now have spares) thumbup:

ali_kat

Original Poster:

31,995 posts

222 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2008
quotequote all
Argh

The damn thing has blown again - good job I have some spare, but anyone have any ideas as to why it is suddenly blowing when I turn the key please?


ETA - off to a funeral, so no reply from me til later frown

Edited by ali_kat on Tuesday 23 September 10:56

MX-5 Lazza

7,952 posts

220 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2008
quotequote all
The first thing to check is the bulb-holder for any water, bad contacts/loose earths etc. If that seems fine then change the bulb. If the problem remains then take it to someone who can check the wiring.
Edited: Also check the wiring on the oil temp & pressure senders.

Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Tuesday 23 September 11:11

Risotto

3,928 posts

213 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2008
quotequote all
It's a bit of a bodge but in the interim you could try fitting a higher rated fuse. Hopefully it won't blow and it means you'll have working indicators while you figure out what's causing the problem.

franv8

2,212 posts

239 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2008
quotequote all
I really wouldn't do that. Something that shouldn't get hot probably will, and at best it mightjust melt a load of stuff (like adjacent wires) or worse it'll be your pride and joy up in smoke.

What is the rating on the fuse? If it's less than 10 amps then you can use a multimeter on 10A current range and put it into the fuse holder. Connect battery and see if it stays low. Then turn on the ignition. Basically, by process of elimination try and suss out what needs to turn on to blow the fuse.

If it is going as soon as you turn the key, really it's a get the wiring diagram out and then look through the circuits that are fed by it.

Is your car an import? I would say if so it is a little more likely the problem lies in something added to make it UK legal, like a foglight, or other aftermarket added kit.

What otehr things don't work when the fuse blows? Have you electric windows? Can cause some problems, particularly if the switches get wet (possible in a soft top... I've certainly tested their ability to get wet...)

Hope this helps.

lord summerisle

8,138 posts

226 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2008
quotequote all
GravelBen said:
My Subaru has a fuse-puller in the fusebox too IIRC.
pah, my citroen Berlingo had a fuse puller.

ali_kat

Original Poster:

31,995 posts

222 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2008
quotequote all
thumbup


Cheers Guys

It goes the moment I turn the key

Tis a UK not an import

It affects the Rev counter, Oil Temp and warning lights too.

10amp fuse, and no, am not going to put a 15 in hehe

Am a girlie, don't have a garage or equipment frown

Looks like she is off to the Garage then frown

ali_kat

Original Poster:

31,995 posts

222 months

Wednesday 24th September 2008
quotequote all
Ok, so the garage have fixed the problem of the indicators, and said that the alternator was fault, and I needed a new one.

Because I have the all singing all dancing cover with the AA, (which covers Parts!) I said I needed to call them out to her before they can replace it. So please park her on the road and I can call them out when I get home biggrin

However, when I got there, it was no longer running and they couldn't find the probem, although the indicators are still working, so I had to call the AA out.

Mr Garage Man waited with me for the AA (well past his home time smile explained all they had done to save Mr AA Man some time, and then left, worried about the car, and asking me to call him tomorrow to let me know how she is.

After an hour, Mr AA Man gave up, said that he thinks he knows the problem, but suggests that it goes to the nearest Mazda main dealer, as if it is what he thinks, it will be cheaper in the long run yikes

So, she is now with Mazda Leamington.

Mr AA Man tells me that he thinks that the ECU has been blown, whilst the garage were 'fixing' the other problem frown

He is not sure that this will be covered by the AA Parts thingimajig, he hopes so, but because the Garage have 'played; with the car before I called the AA out, he told me not to hold my hopes up weeping

He has no idea how much an ECU is for a Mazda, but he is ex VW and they charged £750 plus labour 5 years ago.

Help!!! weeping

Do I have ay recourse on the Garage if needed?

Cotty

39,642 posts

285 months

Wednesday 24th September 2008
quotequote all
Do you have any breakdown cover? like home start or push/tow it down the road then call them.

I recently killed a battery. Rather than just sling a new one in I called the AA who did a full check confirmed all is fine but confirmed that the battery was dead. If your a member it will not cost you to call them out.

They should be able to check and see what is causing the problem.

ali_kat

Original Poster:

31,995 posts

222 months

Wednesday 24th September 2008
quotequote all
Cotty said:
Do you have any breakdown cover? like home start or push/tow it down the road then call them.

I recently killed a battery. Rather than just sling a new one in I called the AA who did a full check confirmed all is fine but confirmed that the battery was dead. If your a member it will not cost you to call them out.

They should be able to check and see what is causing the problem.
Done that mate frown