Got a Miata

The Miata has been sitting…

for almost a year now.  The rear end blew up during my attempts at getting the emissions to pass (yes, again).

I had trouble finding a rear end, found one in the spring and haven’t fully installed it yet…

I did pickup a new front bumper cover.

Planning to do some body work on it too, just touching up some rusty areas. Give it a good rustoleum paint job.

Needs the reare end fully installed, a full flush of fluids, and a good charge on the battery and it will be on the road again.

Miata headlights flapping up and down

I was told this is common… However I’ve not been able to find any information on it.

The headlights flap up and down, unsynchronized. Once I turn the lights on and back off a couple times, they begin to sync and close once they do fully sync.

This does not happen every time.

Has anyone experienced this?

Have a solution?

I did run across some fellow Miata owners that have a similar problem. Here is ApexScalpel’s video. It’s a hoot.

Miata Licensed!!

Woohoo, Finally.

I ended up changing the way I drove. I guess that was the biggest factor in getting this thing to pass emissions (or mazda just hacked it and made it pass).

Drove around some parks, low speed/low RPM’s. Drove a lot of backroads and pleanty of highway. And used engine breaking where possible.

There “was” a crack in the front right side of the bumper cover. This was “Fixed” by the front license plate holder.

There is a leak in the trunk and driver side window area. Planning to get a tarp to fit the car…

I will probably put a couple new front tires on this fall and start saving for some nice race tires for next year. That’s about all for now.

At this point, Here are the major things I have to do:

• Fix differential leak
• Timing belt/Water pump
• Hoses
• check engine for other leaks
• Anti sway bars
• Shocks/springs
• Other bushings

I’d love to hear if you have any suggestions on anything related to these.

Mazda says “Car is OK. Drive more”

This is the most aggravating car experience I’ve had. Nothing wrong, but can’t license the car.

I called the Missouri Department of natural resources in Jeff City, only to get a busy signal after waiting on hold for 10 minutes. Awesome.

Called the local Mo DNR office in St Louis, The Lovely Ashley faxed over a letter of my intent on complying with emissions testing. Under Missouri Revised Statute Chapter 643 Air conservation, section 643.340 “Operation of vehicle without registration, when allowed—vehicle emission inspection, lawful operation beyond registration expiration, when.”

643.340.

3. For the purpose of obtaining an emissions inspection only, a vehicle may be lawfully operated for thirty days beyond the vehicle’s registration expiration, notwithstanding that the vehicle does not have a current state registration license, if the vehicle is being driven to reset the vehicle’s readiness monitors to pass the on-board diagnostic (OBD) emission inspection described in section 643.303. Vehicle operators shall keep a copy of the most recent failing OBD test results with them to present to law enforcement officers while they are operating the vehicle to reset the vehicle’s readiness monitors. The late registration penalty fee described in section 301.050, RSMo, shall still apply if the vehicle is registered after its current registration expires.

August 28, 2008

Called the MO dnr again and spoke to Gary to ask his opinion on the situation. He gave me a few tips to try and recommended I push Mazda more to help get at least one more (all I need is 2 of 4 completed tests) test to pass.

I’m going to put about 500 miles on it over the next few days and talk to Lou Fusz Mazda again and, if need be, have them get in touch with Gary at the MO dnr.

Shiesh… I just started this blog to talk about my freaking Miata and what I’ve learned about it, not get into the intricacies of emissions laws.. Sorry, this is not what I had intended.

Taking the Miata to Mazda

Welp, Taking the Miata to Mazda to be Diagnosed.

I hope they can find something before winter sets in… I’m a little upset about not being able to drive it. We have had amazing weather this summer (70’s-80’s… normally it’s 90’s-100’s).

Wish me luck.

Rear O2 Sensor Update

OK, I realize now, I made a stupid mistake.

The rear O2 sensor doesn’t really do anything, just tells if the CAT has failed or not.

Oh well. Lesson learned.

Still in the search for why the ECU isn’t completing tests. I’d like to talk to a tech at a dealership, but it seems easier said than done. I’ve not had any luck contacting the dealer directly.

Rear O2 Sensor

Going to get the rear O2 sensor tonight, and install it. Hope it works OK.  I really wish my Shop would have told me I had only 2 emissions tests per $25. I have a feeling I’ll have to pay a late title fee also another $25, because I probably won’t get it emissioned by Tomorrow at noon.

I’m not very happy with the people at the DMV. They aren’t very comforting, are condescending, and not very helpful as to a solution, some employees don’t know their jobs(or don’t care and should be fired). After waiting 45 minutes, I’d expect a little decency from these people.

No wonder everyone hates the DMV.

Oh well, Things will work out.

Update: This did not change anything, I believe the previous sensor was working fine.

Miata drive cycle

From: http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=280335

Pre-requisites: MIL off and no DTCs present (this is where clearing your codes comes in); fuel level between 15 and 85%; all accessories OFF; cold start (preferred 8 hour cold soak w/ engine between 68 and 86 deg F at start-up)

1. Start vehicle and idle 5 min.
2. Rev engine in neutral or park to 2300-2700 rpm for 15 seconds
3. Rev engine in neutral or park to 3800-4200 rpm for 15 seconds
4. Idle engine for 20 seconds with cooling fan stopped.
5. Accelerate to 52-55 mph, maintain speed (in high gear) for 1 1/2 minutes
6. Decelerate to 15 mph, and then drive for 13 minutes at speeds ranging from 15 to 35 mph
7. maintain steady 25 mph for 50 seconds.

Each step of the drive cycle indicates a test for a different monitor on the vehicle (catalyst, o2 sensor, evap, etc) so each step is important. Some vehicles are a pain and may require a few drive cycles

Trying to figure out how to get the Miata to pass Emissions… It’s possible it has a partially bad sensor (though it’s not throwing a code), there is a corroded wire, or blown fuse. Going to ask The Uncle for some help tonight, He is good with this stuff.

Ran Across another here: http://www.clubprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19056

Drive cycle 1
Start (car should be warmed up already)
All electrical stuff off.
Assure all diagnostic jumpers are off.
Idle (in park or neutral)
Rev engine to 2500 rpm(1.5L) or 2000rpm (1.8L) for at least 15sec.(in park or neutral)
Rev engine to 4000 rpm for at least 15 sec.(in park or neutral)
Idle for at least 20 sec.
Done

Drive cycle 2
Idle for 3 min.
Accelerate to 55mph in 5th or D for 1 min.
decel to stop
Done