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2010 Mazda 3 Unexpectedly changes gears


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DuckAndCover
Novice

Jul 6, 2016, 4:43 AM

Post #1 of 11 (1858 views)
2010 Mazda 3 Unexpectedly changes gears Sign In

2010
Mazda 3
45000 miles

I do not know a whole lot about cars but mine has been having an issue and I can't seem to get it fixed.

For a few months, my car has been randomly down shifting (I think) while driving. When it happens the drive light on the dash flashes off, the engine revs, and the rpm's spike. It happens in both manual and automatic at any speed. It is a little scary when I'm going 60 on the highway and suddenly it happens and my car jolts.

I have taken it to 3 different dealerships/garages and none have been able to fix the issue. There are no warning lights and no codes. I am not sure if this is pertinent but the problem started a few weeks after I had the neutral safety switch replaced.

Does anyone have any ideas what the issue could be?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 6, 2016, 6:27 AM

Post #2 of 11 (1846 views)
Re: 2010 Mazda 3 Unexpectedly changes gears Sign In

Moved this to the Transmission section for more idea from a resident pro trans tech.
3 shops and no results I dare say just the wrong shops, dealers or not. There should be code(s) to read that their equipment can't or a plain reason why your "drive" light flashes that is a common reason.


In short - trans work does become it's own sub specialty. Not all shops including dealers do them at all and should have an agreement with a trans shop when needed. Hang on, the site's tech will be by when he can,


T



DuckAndCover
Novice

Jul 6, 2016, 7:44 AM

Post #3 of 11 (1831 views)
Re: 2010 Mazda 3 Unexpectedly changes gears Sign In


In Reply To
There should be code(s) to read that their equipment can't or a plain reason why your "drive" light flashes that is a common reason.


Thank you! I should clarify. The drive light doesn't look like it is flashing on purpose. It is more like it starts flickering on and off.


gsferraro
Veteran

Jul 6, 2016, 3:55 PM

Post #4 of 11 (1812 views)
Re: 2010 Mazda 3 Unexpectedly changes gears Sign In

Hello,
Your drive light is flashing probably because of your trans problem, there should be a code stored( you should have it scanned to give me a direction).
Also can i have the vin number(to i.d trans type) what is the engine size? Gary


DuckAndCover
Novice

Jul 6, 2016, 4:39 PM

Post #5 of 11 (1807 views)
Re: 2010 Mazda 3 Unexpectedly changes gears Sign In

Of course, the VIN is JM1BL1SF3A1301560. The engine is 4 cylinders 2-liter.

Where would you suggest I go to get the code scanned? The ford dealership, the mazda dealership, and the garage I went to all told me that they came up with no codes.


(This post was edited by DuckAndCover on Jul 6, 2016, 4:41 PM)


gsferraro
Veteran

Jul 6, 2016, 5:53 PM

Post #6 of 11 (1803 views)
Re: 2010 Mazda 3 Unexpectedly changes gears Sign In

Hello,
Ok, you have the 5 speed auto trans called the FNR5, so this could happen at 20mph one day and 50mph another day? Gary
Question, why was the neutral switch replaced?


DuckAndCover
Novice

Jul 6, 2016, 6:38 PM

Post #7 of 11 (1798 views)
Re: 2010 Mazda 3 Unexpectedly changes gears Sign In

Yes. It happens most often around 10-15 mph. It happens much less frequently at 60 mph. Some days it works fine and other days it gets very frequent.

The neutral safety switch was replaced because the car would only start when I shifted into neutral. That problem is fixed.


gsferraro
Veteran

Jul 7, 2016, 3:53 AM

Post #8 of 11 (1788 views)
Re: 2010 Mazda 3 Unexpectedly changes gears Sign In

Hello,
Im thinking you may have an issue on the 1-2 shift. On this trans you have a band that gets applied in 2nd, 4th and 5th gears. One problem that these transmissions have is the piston bore that applies the band wears out. How many miles on this car? you took this to a trans shop and got no answers?
When i overhaul this type of unit i sleeve the bore. Also, if the band is worn down the piston may not be travling far enough to stop the drum from turning,(2nd gear) there is not adjustment for band travel. Cant believe that no code is setting the way the trans is working. Gary


DuckAndCover
Novice

Jul 7, 2016, 5:25 AM

Post #9 of 11 (1782 views)
Re: 2010 Mazda 3 Unexpectedly changes gears Sign In

The car has 45000 miles on it. I did not even know it was a transmission problem. The garages I took it to must have either not known or didn't bother to direct me to the right place. I will try to get it to a trans shop this weekend and see what they say. I will post back to let you know if they find anything. Thank you for your help!


(This post was edited by DuckAndCover on Jul 7, 2016, 5:40 AM)


gsferraro
Veteran

Jul 7, 2016, 10:36 AM

Post #10 of 11 (1772 views)
Re: 2010 Mazda 3 Unexpectedly changes gears Sign In

Hello,
The fact that the engine revs up and the car seems like its not going, sounds like a trans issue. I would also have that rescanned for codes. Gary


DuckAndCover
Novice

Jul 12, 2016, 12:19 PM

Post #11 of 11 (1737 views)
Re: 2010 Mazda 3 Unexpectedly changes gears Sign In

The transmission shop found no codes and could not reproduce the problem. Unfortunately I can't leave the car with them longer for them to test drive it more (the problem is sporadic). I am moving in a few weeks but will probably try a different shop once I settle in.






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