i am having an issue with my 2007 mazda 5 2.3L
I am due for inspection and emissions. I am 1 week past so I am trying to resolve this soon.
the check engine light has been on for a little while. the code is p0126 insufficient cooling.
three causes,
thermostat, engine coolant temp sensor, or low coolant.
I ruled out thermostat because the temp gauge moves half way between C and H after a few minutes of driving. (it takes 10 minutes for me to get to work and it heats slowly but surely. I also drive for 45 minutes recently and it never went above half way) also the radiator fan does kick on and shut off normally that I can tell.
I thought temp sensor or low coolant. I did fill the radiator a few time when the engine was cold. I was about to change the temp sensor and the light went off on its own.
now to my issue with the emissions.
2 weeks ago, I disconnected the battery to clear the check engine light.(I am sure that was not a good idea, but I did not know what else to do)
I had my wife drive a few days and I drive the rest. my wife drive it about 10 miles, about 20mins to work one way, at a high of 45mph it was various of 25/35/45mph no more than 5 minutes or each, with stops at red lights every so often.
the other days, I drive it to work, 4 miles, about 10 minutes. mostly 25mph with stop signs, and about 2-3 mins at 40mph.
we racked up about 170 miles this way. the check engine light did not come back on. I took it for an inspection/emissions on feb 1 and the emissions failed because it was Not ready for testing. they said drive some highway. at this time, I had driven about 175 miles. I then drive on the highway to Hershey park. this is about 45 minutes away from me. I drive about 70mph for 30 minutes and about 50mph for 10 minutes. on the way back from Hershey park, the check engine light came on. same code, p0126. I was going to change the temp sensor, but had to wait for Thursday, because I could only do it after work, and Thursday, we had not activities.
on Monday or Tuesday, I filled with gas. about 4.8 gallons which equaled a half a tank. I also added coolant to the radiator Sunday to the point where it overflowed. I squeezed the radiator hose to release any bubbles. after filling up the gas, I drove another 50 miles. I was going to change the temp sensor on thursay evening. I drove to my parents. about 1 mile from my house. it was still 4 miles from my work. I then drove up the hill to the grocery store, about half a mile. when I left the grocery store, the odometer read 50.2 and the check engine light when off. I did not change the temp sensor.
I drove another 20 miles and had the emissions tested to finish my inspection. the emissions failed again because it is not ready for testing.
any suggestions
should I perform another drive cycle to reset the computer? if so, what is the proper drive cycle?
anything else anyone can suggest. I feel like the temp sensor may be ok, but if I should change it, I will. the best day is Tuesday this week and Thursday.
I hope someone can help/
thanks
I am due for inspection and emissions. I am 1 week past so I am trying to resolve this soon.
the check engine light has been on for a little while. the code is p0126 insufficient cooling.
three causes,
thermostat, engine coolant temp sensor, or low coolant.
I ruled out thermostat because the temp gauge moves half way between C and H after a few minutes of driving. (it takes 10 minutes for me to get to work and it heats slowly but surely. I also drive for 45 minutes recently and it never went above half way) also the radiator fan does kick on and shut off normally that I can tell.
I thought temp sensor or low coolant. I did fill the radiator a few time when the engine was cold. I was about to change the temp sensor and the light went off on its own.
now to my issue with the emissions.
2 weeks ago, I disconnected the battery to clear the check engine light.(I am sure that was not a good idea, but I did not know what else to do)
I had my wife drive a few days and I drive the rest. my wife drive it about 10 miles, about 20mins to work one way, at a high of 45mph it was various of 25/35/45mph no more than 5 minutes or each, with stops at red lights every so often.
the other days, I drive it to work, 4 miles, about 10 minutes. mostly 25mph with stop signs, and about 2-3 mins at 40mph.
we racked up about 170 miles this way. the check engine light did not come back on. I took it for an inspection/emissions on feb 1 and the emissions failed because it was Not ready for testing. they said drive some highway. at this time, I had driven about 175 miles. I then drive on the highway to Hershey park. this is about 45 minutes away from me. I drive about 70mph for 30 minutes and about 50mph for 10 minutes. on the way back from Hershey park, the check engine light came on. same code, p0126. I was going to change the temp sensor, but had to wait for Thursday, because I could only do it after work, and Thursday, we had not activities.
on Monday or Tuesday, I filled with gas. about 4.8 gallons which equaled a half a tank. I also added coolant to the radiator Sunday to the point where it overflowed. I squeezed the radiator hose to release any bubbles. after filling up the gas, I drove another 50 miles. I was going to change the temp sensor on thursay evening. I drove to my parents. about 1 mile from my house. it was still 4 miles from my work. I then drove up the hill to the grocery store, about half a mile. when I left the grocery store, the odometer read 50.2 and the check engine light when off. I did not change the temp sensor.
I drove another 20 miles and had the emissions tested to finish my inspection. the emissions failed again because it is not ready for testing.
any suggestions
should I perform another drive cycle to reset the computer? if so, what is the proper drive cycle?
anything else anyone can suggest. I feel like the temp sensor may be ok, but if I should change it, I will. the best day is Tuesday this week and Thursday.
I hope someone can help/
thanks
