Any Mechanics Available For A Second Opinoin?

OK, stopped by the folks house. They own a Mazda 6 2003 car. I am told the AC will not work on speed 1 or 4. Mazda place wants $80 to replace the cabin filter. OK, that is BS, they have been going to this place for ALL service on the car, and after 9 years they want to change out the filter? I got that under control, will save them a few $.

Now, they want to change out the AC blower and regulater. Blower works or does not work in my thinking, the problem is it won't work on 2 speeds. I am thinking bad switch. I talked to a mechanic, and he says the blower is most likely OK, just needs the regulater ($18 part).

So, if it needs a filter and an $18 dollar regulator, they are trying to get into my folks wallet.

Any ideas? Could very likely be way beyond my experience, but if I am right, I need to go have a chat with the service mis manager of the Mazda place.

Looks to me, they are wanting to change out the regulator, and charge for the regulator and the blower motor.

I mean, the cabin filter is nasty, it does need to be changed. But they have been going to the Mazda place since they bought the car for ALL work and maintenance.

Sounds shoddy to me. If I am wrong, please feel free to educate me.

 

Firstly, I'm no mechanic, but the blower either works or it doesn't, like you said, so replacing that is likely B.S.
The speed switches/regulator are by far the most common fault, (besides gas loss, which is presumably okay). So the regulator needs either replacing, or maybe even tinkering with, (electronic contact cleaner, etc.) usually these units fail because of some kind of mechanical ware. At least, that's been my experience, anyway.

 

I'm not a mechanic but I do usually work on my own stuff. There's some things I wouldn't touch, it's out of my league, but I'd take a multi-meter and see if the switch is making connections at the right place for what you're talking about. Any repair manual worth $15 or more should have a wiring diagram. I'd be willing to bet that it's a relay.

$80 for a cabin filter is actually pretty cheap. The Nissan place here wanted $100 labor to replace a seat belt. I did it myself for that price, and the seat belt was $65.

 

My bet would be on the regulator,it could just be dirty contacts or it has shorted and burnt the contacts. (this happens after years of continuous use)

As for the prices the garage want to charge they are not over the top.
Here my local Toyota garage charge $35 per hour for working on an auto plus parts but remember they have to guarantee their work and pay running costs for the garage.

 

The regulator in my Chrysler was behind the glove box and held in with 2 screws. Took 6 mins to swap and solved this. If the part does not fix, and you replace the blower, simply return the regulator.

It is a relay that allows current to be regulated in steps - as the steps on the dial.

Phantom, the regulators commonly go out.

 

Replaced the cabin filter for $17. As far as trying the regulator, I can't find it on this car. And most parts places around here do not take returns on electronic parts.

 

My guess is a defective switch if it works on some but not all speeds.

 

You need the workshop service manual,I wouldn't attempt any electrical repair on a modern car without one they are all very complex these days,it will have full instructions on repair and service on the AC and show you where each part is.

Had a quick search and found this,too long to download so don't know if they contain the manual you need.

http://www.clearchain.com/~benjsc/download/Mazda6/

Buying one would be my choice so you can take it to the car and they're only cheap-

http://www.amazon.com/Mazda-2003-Haynes-Repair-Manual/dp/1563929163

 

Thanks Rikky, that download had a picture, I think I can find it now.

 

I've found the Chilton's and Haynes manuals are usually lacking and usually have generalized advice. I usually try to find a shop manual http://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-Mazda-...anuals_Literature&hash=item1c29948379&vxp=mtr

 

Fred, when you say the AC doesn't work on 1 or 4.do you mean the blower fan doesn't run, or the fan runs on all speeds but doesn't blow cold on 1 and 4?
I've attached a wiring diagram and if it's the fan that's not working it is likely the switch.
Power flows from the battery through the blower relay, the blower motor, then either the resistor or switch. If the switch is set to 4 you can see the power goes through the switch at pin 4 to ground. If the switch is set to the other positions, you can trace the circuit through the resistances to ground. If that fuse in the resistor was blown it would only work on 4.
Just realized you may have Automatic AC. Diagram #2.

 

They have manual air, and after the cabin filter was replaced, all works. Don't ask me why, it just does. :-D

 

So you fixed it and don't know what you did. There's a thread for that.:-D

 

That is just how I roll. :-D