Mazda Talk Forums

I just picked this NC up and it already has some modifications. It has some combination of RB header/ midpipe and RS header/ midpipe. I do not not which one is which regarding the 2 brands. The header is wrapped so there is little to identify on it. Is there any easy way to tell them apart? I have the 2 topic codes displayed and I just installed new sensors with the GWR extension wires, the sensors were not connected at all before me, they were merely screwed in and the wires were all cut about 4" out of the sensors. I need to get this thing through emissions asap, no visual just ODBII hook up. Should I use the old spark plug defouler trick or should I look into a MIL eliminator? All suggestions and debate welcome...


BTW I have put my 2003.5 Mazdaspeed Protege rims on the car and it looks fantastic. They are heavy but the darker 5 spoke RacingHarts truly look good on this RED NC.

Downright bizarre that former owner cut the wires to the sensors. I suggest repair of the sensor wires.

He's a good guy, but is a little off, in a fun way. I believe he was planning on re-wiring the sensors but it never happened or the plugs got ripped off due to not being plugged in. First thing I did was replace the sensors themselves and used the extension wires to reconnect. They are all standard sensors with plugs now, no soldering required and more factory spec anyways. I used a CenTech Scan tool to clear the codes and I've also recorded some drive data but haven't gotten to look over that yet. Busy busy. Adding to that, the codes come right back after clearing them and driving as pending and then once I turn the car off and back on they are stored codes at that point and trigger the CEL.

Brian wrote:Downright bizarre that former owner cut the wires to the sensors. I suggest repair of the sensor wires.

Assuming there is still a converter in there....it may be need replacement. You may need a muffler shop to put a fresh converter core in there.

If it is the RB midpipe I don't think it has a converter at all so it will continue to fail. Also if you reused the old sensors they may be bad because they haven't been heated and when not heated they can't clean themselves so they get a buildup.

I missed that in the first post. Indeed if no converters in the system then it should continue to fail smog.