Bought a 1996 2.0l 626 w/ps, at, all power windows, locks, sunroof last fall for $800, no rust 100k. It was a "motel car", meaning 1 employee comes to town 2-3 times per week, stays 24-30 hours in motel resting, then leaves.We provide 1 taxi round trip OR you can buy used car to keep here to drive until called for duty. Easy driven both owners, no rust. NOW, I drove it a little last fall, just a few times in winter, found it had some fluid leaks A/T and coolant. Recently Towed it to a guy I know, has done some work at his house before, been good and quite reasonable.Apparently during last 6+ months family of mice lived in, mechanic said extensive under dash wiring chew a thon. No elec. problems observed just running it around block. So, I bought extensive array of parts to have mech. put in (many from Rock Auto, radiator, w/p, timing belt kit, calipers/rotors/m/cyl,pads, etc.)and may need a transmission. Already have installed battery, exhaust,half shafts, in tank fuel pump, filters, belts, hoses, lot of $$. Mechanic says rather then buying transmission (rebuilt $1400 installed)and installing other parts,consider scrapping for $500 and selling the new not installed parts on e-bay craigs list. I thought a few mice were inside but not this bad, didn't want to poison them in car.QUESTION: keep going, possibly get complete wire harness from e-bay, maybe rewire under dash?, or scrap and take loss? 21-22 mpg in town before tuneup, nice 2nd car, not my dream car, he charges, but NOT anywhere near shop rate. THOUGHTS? Anybody got 1996 LX 4 cyl wiring harness?
1996 mazda 626 wiring problem - keep or scrap?
- Thread starter bmwjohn
- Start date
- Status
There is an area in Sacramento, CA that sells used parts. I had a hard time getting a engine harness for a 2000 Civic HX with a manual trans. but the Honda used guys called around and found it. car came back to life!
Sure there are places like that around you. Give it a shot and see if you can get the harness.
I believe you are into this car anyway...Keep it alive!
Sure there are places like that around you. Give it a shot and see if you can get the harness.
I believe you are into this car anyway...Keep it alive!
I would run away screaming. IDK how much that 626 shares with the ford contour... I know the auto transmission, maybe more. But those contours had wiring insulation problems wicked.
Is the ECM under the hood? If its bundle of wires is okay you're in a far better spot than if those got tweaked. Then you could count on one hand the cabin wires you NEED to run.
I presume there's no smog/safety inspection you need to deal with?
For the transmission issue, you might want to try the PRNDL range switch; it's $50 and they go bad all the time on fords. Tells the PCM what gear you select; its failure causes false neutrals and other crazy stuff. It's a variable resistor so add corrosion and it varies from spec and confuses stuff.
There's a diagnostic machine that plugs in that tells you what gear it thinks it's in, but getting a scan will cost you more than the PRNDL switch unless you have a friend.
Is the ECM under the hood? If its bundle of wires is okay you're in a far better spot than if those got tweaked. Then you could count on one hand the cabin wires you NEED to run.
I presume there's no smog/safety inspection you need to deal with?
For the transmission issue, you might want to try the PRNDL range switch; it's $50 and they go bad all the time on fords. Tells the PCM what gear you select; its failure causes false neutrals and other crazy stuff. It's a variable resistor so add corrosion and it varies from spec and confuses stuff.
There's a diagnostic machine that plugs in that tells you what gear it thinks it's in, but getting a scan will cost you more than the PRNDL switch unless you have a friend.
Go over to mazda626.net and post the question. They help me out all the time with questions about my 2000 626.
Originally Posted By: chevys10
Go over to mazda626.net and post the question. They help me out all the time with questions about my 2000 626.
+1 get over to a forum focused on your car.
As long as ECM harness looks ok and the body and interior are in great shape, I would keep plugging along. Wiring problems arn't the end of the world, just time consuming.
Go over to mazda626.net and post the question. They help me out all the time with questions about my 2000 626.
+1 get over to a forum focused on your car.
As long as ECM harness looks ok and the body and interior are in great shape, I would keep plugging along. Wiring problems arn't the end of the world, just time consuming.
Are you sure it needs a transmission? Other than leaks, what's wrong with the trans? $1400 is dirt cheap for a rebuilt auto transmission installed. If your current transmission can be fixed without a rebuild, that's a better option than putting in a questionable rebuilt one.
For the wiring, get some liquid electrical tape at Auto Zone and see if you can just patch the insulation.
For the wiring, get some liquid electrical tape at Auto Zone and see if you can just patch the insulation.
wiring harness is hard to install and labor intensive. I'd scrap a car just for that. If you want an employee to drive it, you want to make sure it is at least reasonable. I'd not do that to anyone working for me no matter how cheap I am. I don't think your car is worth fixing, sorry.
- Status
Similar threads
