SBrandt19

2011 Mazda CX7 Diesel Issues: Persistent Pre-glow Light, Check Engine Warning, Black Smoke, Poor Fuel Economy, and Difficulty Starting

Hey! I've got a bit of an issue with my 2011 Mazda CX7 Diesel. Recently, I've noticed that the pre-glow light sticks around, the check engine light is on, and I'm getting black smoke when I hit the accelerator. Plus, the car is hesitant to start, particularly when it's cold, and at times, refuses to fire up at all. I've also noticed that my fuel economy is going downhill and it seems like the DPF regeneration just isn't happening. My gut tells me it could be a faulty glow plug, but I'm not 100% sure. Any of you ever deal with something like this? How did your mechanic diagnose and fix the problem? Appreciate any tips or similar experiences. Thanks in advance!

4 comment(s)

Hey there, sounds like you're dealing with a familiar issue. Had a similar glitch on my 2009 Mazda CX9 Turbo Diesel. Not gonna lie, I have just some experience with car mechanics. Took it to my trusted local garage and they ran a diagnostic test which indeed confirmed that the glow plug was defective due to wear. They recommended a glow plug replacement which set me back around 560 Euro but was totally worth it considering the headache these issues were causing me. I'd say take your CX7 to an experienced mechanic and have them run a similar diagnosis. Do me a favor, post your current mileage and recent maintenance history if available? It might help pinpoint any additional potential concerns. Hope this helps a bit and you can get it sorted without much trouble. Best of luck!

Appreciate your response! So, my Mazda has clocked 238,078 KM so far, and I last got it serviced a few months ago. They didn't mention anything about the glow plugs at that time, but now it looks like it might be the culprit. Honestly, I was hoping it'd be a minor issue. But from the sounds of it, I might have to shell out a bit for this. Time to schedule another appointment with my mechanic, I guess. Thanks again for the help!

No worries at all! Given your car's mileage, a glow plug issue wouldn’t be too much of a surprise. They typically don't last much longer than 200,000 KM, so you've got your money’s worth I reckon. It could be a bit costly, that's true, but ignoring it would potentially be a way bigger problem. A bad glow plug could mess up the Diesel Particulate Filter regeneration, add unnecessary stress to the battery and the starter motor... even risk damaging the engine. Seriously, none of that's worth the risk. I reckon you'll have peace of mind when it comes back from the shop. Let us know how it all turns out, yeah? Cheers!

No problem at all! Yeah, that makes a lot of sense given the amount of mileage it's clocked. So, glow plug issue it probably is. Bit of a pinch to the wallet, but hey, I'd indeed rather shell out now than deal with a bigger headache down the line. I've booked an appointment with my mechanic for tomorrow. Will keep you posted on how it goes. Thanks again for the guidance! Cheers!

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