929 Maintenance and Repair Guide

[Duncan]

MAZDA 929 MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR GUIDE

This is the home for information on known service/maintenance issues within the 929 line.

What should be posted here are (1) common problems with the 929 line that have known, proven, workable solutions, or (2) general maintenance and repair procedures for do-it-yourself mechanics. For instance, repair instructions on parts that have a high or abnormal failure rate (such as window regulators). Or, good replacement solutions for hard-to-find parts (such as motor mounts).

If you have a technical guide on how to go about the repair or replacement procedure, please post it as a separate thread first. Then post a link to it in this area, so it can be referenced properly.

As with the other "guide" threads, posts made here will be deleted once the information needed has been edited into the main listing. To be more blunt, this is not a discussion thread and WHORING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. If you have questions regarding a technical procedure, use the link to the appropriate thread and post your inquiry there.

Thanks for your cooperation! - Duncan

[Duncan]

MAZDA 929
known issues

Body

Windows 1 - The power window regulators in the 929 are known to fail prematurely (i.e., long before the car itself is ready to go). They are easily replaced by rebuilt units, however, if you're willing to put in a little work. Currently, the only guide we have is an old one written by the_saint that is a bit lacking in visuals (as the picture links have expired). But, it's better than nothing... LINK: "Window Regulators?" (Also hosted by dmeetro at his site) NOTE: I'll try to update the old post if I can, so it's available correctly both ways. PARTS: The regulators themselves can be obtained from 1A Auto.

Windows 2 - If you're so inclined, member Hondo has also put together a way to repair the regulator mechanism itself, thus saving the cost of buying new regulators. Excellent step-by-step procedure, too. LINK: "Rear Window Regulator Repair By Hondo"

Fog Lights - Quick and dirty instructions and tips from various members for replacing fog light bulbs in the 1993-1995 929. LINK: "how to change fog light bulb"

Trunk Lid Supports - If your trunk won't stay open, here's a way to retrofit new gas struts onto the lid assembly. LINK: "93 929 Trunk Lift Support Replacement"

Chassis

Engine Mounts - A comprehensive guide by dmeetro on how to build entirely new motor mounts for the 929's V6 engine. For use only if your original motor mounts are completely shot. LINK: "Custom motor mounts" (also on dmeetro's own site)

Electrical

Computer - A handy list of known 929 ECU trouble codes, compiled by the_saint. LINK: "The meaning of ecu error codes" Also, note that certain error codes and the problems that trigger them are covered elsewhere in this list.

Audio - An explanation of your 929 stereo's wiring harness (and how to install it) by dmeetro, with important comments and questions by others. LINK: "Problems and situations"

Engine

Valve Cover Gaskets - Though not a specific issue for the 929, gasket replacements for many cars are always a pain in the ass. But if you'd rather not spend money to have a mechanic get pissed off at your car, enjoy the fun in your own garage with this handy replacement guide by the_saint. Note that this guide applies to DOHC models only, but the SOHC engine should be similar in most respects. LINK: "Valve Cover Gasket Replacement (1992-95)" (also hosted by dmeetro at his site)

Intake System 1 - The stock 929 air flow sensor is incredibly restrictive. Our boy Hondo has come up with a way to dramatically improve air flow with some simple modifications. LINK: "Intake mod by hondo"

Intake System 2 - Error code "41" can indicate a problem with the 929's VICS (Variable Inertia Charging System) intake assembly. For a description of what VICS does and some basic troubleshooting procedures, check out dmeetro's thread o' info (relevant to all 1993-1995 models). LINK: "Error Code 41: VICS Solenoid Valve (1994 929)"

Air Conditioning - All 929s, by nature of their age, use the now-discontinued R12 Freon type of refrigerant in their air conditioning systems. Because R12 has been out of production for some time, and is unsafe for the environment to boot, it makes sense to switch to the new R134a type. This thread is an ongoing discussion of various A/C conversion info. LINK: "Air conditioner conversion"

Interior

Dashboard - A general removal and replacement guide for the complex 1993-1995 929 dashboard, with lots of pics, by big929. This guide is illustrative of an RHD model, but the procedure for LHD cars should be roughly the same. LINK: "Interior - dash board removal"

Suspension

Control Arms - The grease boots on the 929's control-arm rear suspension setup are known to cause much worse handling (that is, severe swaying or pitching) when worn or broken. If you have torn boots, and don't feel like watching a mechanic destroy the suspension trying to replace them, check out these instructions by dmeetro on how to build a tool for removing and replacing the control arms. Please note that, while checking the control arms and boots, you will also want to take a general look at the rest of the suspension to catch any other problems (such as worn tie rods) before they get worse. LINK: "rear end suspension" (also on dmeetro's own site)

[Duncan]

New title for this thread, to better reflect its growing purpose, and a link to big929's ambitious dashboard removal how-to.

[kennedyt4@uwa.edu]

Ok, i have a question for you, and i have searched this forum up and down and either i dont know how to use it or its not in here, anyway i have a 90 Mazda 929S that I recently bought from my Aunt. I had it for about 6 months and one day it just quit on me. all it would do is click when i turned it over. I bought a new starter and a new fuel pump and put them on. Now the car will turn over and crank while giving it gas, but as soon as you let off the pedal it dies. This happens every time I start it. I turned up the idling sensor and that didnt do nothing. Now I am at a loss, and i would greatly appreciate any suggestions!!!

MAZDA 929 MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR GUIDE

This is the home for information on known service/maintenance issues within the 929 line.

What should be posted here are (1) common problems with the 929 line that have known, proven, workable solutions, or (2) general maintenance and repair procedures for do-it-yourself mechanics. For instance, repair instructions on parts that have a high or abnormal failure rate (such as window regulators). Or, good replacement solutions for hard-to-find parts (such as motor mounts).

If you have a technical guide on how to go about the repair or replacement procedure, please post it as a separate thread first. Then post a link to it in this area, so it can be referenced properly.

As with the other "guide" threads, posts made here will be deleted once the information needed has been edited into the main listing. To be more blunt, this is not a discussion thread and WHORING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. If you have questions regarding a technical procedure, use the link to the appropriate thread and post your inquiry there.

Thanks for your cooperation! - Duncan :D[/b]

[mazdaus]

does it take a long time to start?

[rdg]

Stupid Question Mazdus. (Yet I'm still repling to this board??)

Sounds like the MAF (if your fuel pres. is good with the new pump)

[mazdaus]

how is that a stupid question. your question is stupid how the heck you going to say it sounds like the MAF. I had this issue what the heck you talking about rdg

[kennedyt4@uwa.edu]

the pressure is good, and it does not take a long time to start, it turns right over.