Engine & fuel system
2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Unable to lift engine from engine bay
Cause
Engine bay too narrow for engine to be lifted out.
Repair
- Remove engine and transmission from underneath the vehicle.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 3.
Poor starting from cold
Cause
Engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor faulty.
Repair
- Replace engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 4.
Electrical & ignition
2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Intermittent failure of indicators/hazard warning lamps. Blown fuse
Overview
- Affects
- All models.
Cause
Exterior lighting wiring harness chafes against AC high-pressure pipe, located under LH headlamp, causing short circuit.
Repair
- Repair wiring harness as necessary.
- Replace fuse.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 5.
Indicators flash erratically
Overview
- Affects
- All models.
- Remedy
- Fit new part
Symptoms
Intermittent failure of indicators/hazard warning lamps.
Cause
Multifunction control module faulty.
Repair
- Carry out electrical, mechanical and component tests (as applicable) to eliminate any other possible cause(s).
- If no fault(s) found: Fit new multifunction control module.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 6.
Brakes
2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Front brake judder
Overview
- Affects
- All models, →10/03.
- Remedy
- Fit modified part
- Parts
- 2 parts
Cause
Front brake disc distortion.
Repair
- Fit new front brake discs.
- Fit modified front brake pads.
Parts2 parts
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake disc | GK2Y-33-25XE | 2 |
| Front brake pads | G2Y2-33-23ZA | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 1.
Noise from front brakes when brakes applied at slow speed
Cause
Vibration between brake pads and discs.
Repair
- Fit modified front brake pads.
Parts1 part
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake pads | G2Y2-33-23ZA | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 2.
Clutch & gearbox
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Whining/grinding noise from front of engine
Symptoms
Excessive noise from auxiliary drive belt.
Cause
Failure of alternator pulley clutch.
Repair
- Replace alternator.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 7.
Glossary
Technical terms used in this guide.
- AC
- Air conditioning — the system that cools the cabin
- ECT
- Engine coolant temperature — the sensor that tells the engine control module how hot the engine is
- LH
- Left-hand — the left side of the vehicle as you sit in it
- Engine Coolant Temperature
- How hot the engine is, read by a sensor the engine control module uses for fuelling and cooling fans
- Multifunction Control Module
- The control module that runs shared electrical functions (lights, wipers, locking, and so on)
- Wiring Harness
- The bundled cables that carry power and signals around the vehicle
- Alternator
- The unit that charges the battery while the engine is running
- Auxiliary Drive Belt
- The belt that drives the alternator, water pump, steering pump or air-conditioning compressor
Frequently asked questions
What are the common faults with the Mazda 6 1.8?
This guide contains seven workshop bulletins for the Mazda 6 1.8. Of these, two concern the engine and fuel system and two the electrical and ignition. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.
Does every Mazda 6 1.8 have these faults?
No. These are patterns documented across the model by workshops, not predictions for an individual vehicle. Where a fault applies only to certain vehicles or VIN ranges, that is listed with the fault.
Can I check for Mazda 6 1.8 faults myself?
Many of them. The documented symptoms can be seen, heard or felt during a test drive.