Tranny failing to downshift, stalling engine

[Kurtiss]

Hello,

First time poster...

I have a 2006 Mazda 5. Suddenly this week, the car began stalling when coming to a stop. After some trial and error, I discovered it seems to not be downshifting properly when stopping. The gear indicator on the dashboard stays at "4" until almost completely stopped. (perhaps it's always read that way, to be honest I've never checked before).

It acts like a manual transmission would, if you had forgotten to push in the clutch when stopping - and the engine chugs or stalls.

More trials showed that if I slip the car into neutral, the car will stop without incident. So it appears that downshifting - or disengaging - isn't happening properly.

I checked the fluid, which seems to be OK. Although, I plan to re-check the fluid when the engine is hot.

Let me know if this problem sounds familiar.
3-weeks left on the original warranty, so this repair could be perfect timing
Thanks,
Kurt

p.s. I know this is unrelated - has to be unrelated. But, this instantly started happening after we had the battery replaced. Surely battery & shifting are unrelated. But just in case there are any shift-related electrical connections or vaccuum hoses involved, I thought I should mention it.

 

[5phreak]

I have no good advice for you, but I'll be watching this post to see what the fix is. Good luck.

 

[dima_rus]

you should definitely take it to your dealer and have them check the car.

 

[Rockin03mp5]

just a thought, i had funny trans problems with my p5 when my alternator was bad. it wouldnt go into 4th, and would just stick in 3rd, but would drop to first at a complete stop, then would to into 3rd whenever it could.

either way, get that thing in before you warrenty is over

im guessing you have the 4 speed auto

anyways get it in to be checked, and might as well have them check the alternator too, cause bad batteries cause havoc to the alternator. the transmissions are very complicated and electrical, so it is just a thought.

also, i think it always waits until a stop to downshift into 1st. in the manual it should tell you the limits for each gear. i know with mine, it drops twice. down to third under a certain speed, and then into first at about 5 mph. it causes a funner jerk that can make you brake harder for a second. (i have a 5 speed auto)

 

[Kurtiss]

Update

Thx all for your input and suggestions.

Dealer looked at the car today. They found a Mazda service bulletin that referenced "stalling when coming to a stop". The bulliten instructed them to clean the throttle body in some way (paraphrasing from memory here...).

The car is running fine now. I will check the service papers, and see if it lists the specifics of that bulletin.

Regards,
Kurt

 

[07MZ5SA]

You have the TSB number?

 

[Rockin03mp5]

good to hear.

is there a year for that service bulletin?

 

[sapacif]

2006 Mazda5 link here.

2007 Mazda5 link here.

This may be the one you are looking for. TSB 01-003/08.

 

[Rocket]

Curious, will the dealer perform a TSB at no charge for an out of warranty vehicle? I am guessing no, but not sure.

 

[coolmazda5]

^^ Good question, would be interested to know as well.

Now, if its one of the recalled ones it may still have the warranty until Dec 1st, 2009

 

[09GT]

In my experience with other cars, no - unless the specific issue is part of an actual recall, in which case it should be covered. Otherwise, TSB problems beyond the warranty period are the responsibility of the owner.