Blue engine light issues

[lchyk]

So first off I'm going to admit to not knowing anything about vehicles so I appologize if I use wrong terminology and such. Anyway I have a 2012 mazda 3 sport ever since I bought it about 3 months ago I have had issues with the blue engine light. I remote start my car in the AM to let it warm up and the blue light doesnt come off. THe temperature outside is anywhere from -5 to -30 when this happens. It will turn off once I drive a few kilometers but then after I drive 10-15km on the highway the blue light comes back on and it shoots out cold air again. I have taken it to the dealer but they told me that it didnt do it when they looked at it so they have no idea why. Also sometimes after the blue light goes back out which varies but sometimes it can be with lots more driving or idling there is a burning type smell. Does anyone know what any of this could be or has anyone else experienced it? The dealer wants it back to look at it but I live 2 hours away so by the time I get it there its obviously going to be way to warm to do it so I feel like driving there is always going to be pointless since the problem will never happen after 2 hours of driving. Thanks in advance.

 

[Suddueth13]

Sounds like a possible thermostat issue. Take it to the dealer, get a loaner from them and leave it over night. Go back to the dealer in the morning and show them what it's doing.

 

[lchyk]

Thats what they want me to do but it means a stay in hotel that I was hoping to avoid. They will not give me a loaner car which makes getting around with a two year old really difficult!! I am not sure why they need to see what its doing and why they dont just take my word, seems ridiculous that they have to see the silly blue light come back on in order to change the part.

 

[GAXIBM]

If it was mine and it was that cold I would block off 2/3 of the radiator for the winter as you don't need much air to cool an engine at that temp and it will help it get warm. You could use cardboard or something more perminate like plastic. A lot of trucks and some cars have shutters to control the air for a warm engine and you often see over the road trucks with a plastic cover over much of the radiator when running in cold weather...

 

[DuoofDeath1]

I agree with Suddueth13, leave it overnight and make them give you a loaner. My dealership offers a shuttle atleast. I do think that GAXIBM's idea may work but that is avoiding the problem and not fixing it. If the thermostat is not functioning properly then you are just causing possibly more damage by stopping it from getting the cold air.

 

[GAXIBM]

If it works OK above 0 the thermostat is probably OK.