Driving along, no warning lights, 11:30pm pulled off to change drivers, engine idling, pull back on the road and the engine dies. Starter cranks but no ignition, then the car alarm goes off. Car alarm erratic, sometimes starts when the ignition is turned on, sometimes after cranking for a few seconds. Hauled to local mechanic waiting for scope results tomorrow and hoping that rebooting the ecu fixes it. Will keep you updated.

Update from Oct 4, 2012: Tom, the mechanic at the local shop, found the problem. A 10-amp fuse on the engine, through which the key recognition circuit runs, had blown. He replaced the fuse and the car runs. Now to figure out why the fuse blew.

This saga starts with a check engine light on February 10, 2003. I called and made an appointment for my MPV for February 13th at 9 A.M. I arrived for my appointment early but was not taken until after 9. No big deal, however, after waiting three hours I am told by Ft. Myers Mazda that my vehicile needs a oxygen sensor and that my MFG warrantee expired on 1/19/03. I explained that I purchased an extended warrantee when I purchased the MPV here at the dealer. I was Told they would not order the part unless I paid $380 up front and that it would also cost me $104 for the computer scan they performed on my car. I paid the $104 and was told that I could drive my car as is and nothing would be harmed. I was also to fax a copy of my contract to the dealer for my extended warrantee.

I did this and continued driving my van.

On the 17th, the service tech called me and said he would order the sensor and it would take three to four weeks. Again I questioned driving the car and if any damage would occur and was told it would be ok as long as the check engine light did not flash. On Thursday 2/20/03 I drove 3/4 mile from home when not only was the check engine light on but I got an oil and battery light. The MPV died right there in the middle of the road and would not start. I called Mazda's road side assistance and they came and towed the van to Ft Myers Mazda. I received a call from the dealer telling me my engine ceased. That the oil was very dirty. They wanted my maintance records for oil changes. I supplied them. Now the extended warrantee insurance personnel (CNA) tells the dealer that it does not matter that I did regular oil changes and have the records. They will not cover the cost of the engine. I paid $1200 to CNA for this contract and the very first time I need it they claim it is not covered. I called the manager of CNA, they claim it is not covered because the dealer said that the oil was not changed. I questioned the service manager and was told that he said the oil changes were not done by the dealership service department but they were done. Why the engine ceased is still unknown, I have spoken with Jay Scannlon the ower's son of Ft myers Mazda and faxed him advisores, and other items I found on the internet in reference to my vehicle and its problem. He is now looking into this matter. Now this entire experience would drain on the soul of any healthy person and zap whatever keeps them going. As for myself, I am handicapped, I am limited to my walking and I am re-covering from spinal surgery. When the MPV broke down I walked home (3/4 mile) it took me over an hour and I was in extreme pain. The MPV van has only 38,000 miles on it, my last oil chage was done at 34,000 miles. The Mazda dealer said the oil needs changing every 5,000 miles regardless.

At this point, my MPV is sitting at the dealer, I can't get answers or call backs from the service derpartment, CNA said the dealer needs to figure out what happened to the Van and as of 2/26/03 the dealer wants CNA to send out an inspector, I am caught in the middle without a vehicle, I can't sleep, I can't eat without getting sick and I don't have $8,000 to replace an engine in my MPV. I need help!