My 2014 Mazda 3 active driving display (HUD) recently went blank althought it will raise when engine starts and retract when engine stops. Unfortunately, it was out of warranty. The dealership wants $195 for diagnostic, new display RRP is $975 and labour cost of $395; total $1,565, which to me is a lot money for a supplementary digital display.
Do anyone have similar experience on this? Can this be a software fix?
Could you not get it from a wrecked Mazda 3 and get it installed from outside?
I don't think it is a simple replacement job and may involve software reset.
They are coded to the car and Mazda "cant" re code a second hand unit
From what I understand, it’s also tied into the speedo unit and it’s usually a case of replacing both.
Are you sure. I mean I know you need to recode keys and stuff but this is just a display for the speed and other info.
Yeah they are coded to the car, don’t ask me how or why but the unit can’t simply be swapped out with a new/second hand unit. You are literally fixed to getting Mazda to deal with it.
I have encountered a customer who needed a replacement and we tried to source second hand for them and none of the Mazda wreckers could provide a unit as they can’t get around the coding issues.
As mentioned earlier though, it may be something electrical or that can be resolved with a scan. Take it to a local mechanic and see what you can do.
I highly recommend contacting Mazda Australia’s customer service number and push the point. You may get them to fix it as a good will gesture.
(Disclosure: I work for a mechanic in Victoria)
You can go to your usual car mechanic and ask them to run the diagnostic, it will cost you much cheaper than going on showrooms. I am not sure about this but sometimes a fuse can also be a issue.
Then if it needs replacement, then wreckers it is.
… fuse…. or globe…. loose wire? O^O
OP - talk to Mazda themselves. A HUD should work for more than the warranty 3 years. ACL might be your friend.
How many k's on the clock?
Serviced on time even after warranty finished?
Serviced with Mazda or independent?
Most common problem with the HUD is that it is not opening fully. It may appear to be all the way up, but it is out of alignment. It may just be a case of realigning the display, or it may be more involved, and that’s a much bigger task.
Being such a common problem with these vehicles, it may also be worth giving Mazda a call and ask for assistance there, rather than relying on the dealer to help you.
I wouldn't bother w/ the dealer tbh - I'd call up Mazda customer service and kick up a stink - 1800 034 411 or go through social media and/or write in to the motoring section of the newspapers. (I've read ones where people were able to get things fixed out of warranty)
Thanks for the advice. I will give it a go.
Is it possible that the active display has been turned off in the MZD settings?
I’ve never turned mine off before so not sure what happens when you do, but there’s definitely an option in the settings to turn it on/off.
You can turn it off in the MZD setting, but it will be on again after you re-start the engine.
Learn about ACL and Consumer Guarantees, OP. Approach Mazda Australia and exercise these rights. They apply to anything sold 1/1/2011 onwards. I would expect the active display in a Mazda to last the life of the vehicle.
Approached Mazda Australia and they were willing to consider a goodwill repair after the dealership had done a diagnostic test (@$145 per hour, approx. 1.5 hours). It turned out, the issue was fixed by a simple software reset. As I had approached Mazda Australia earlier, there was no charge on the diagnostic test. It was good for Mazda Australia to consider my request for help, but it is apparent the Mazda dealership wants to charge for profit making, even though it is a simple fix.
I assume this would tell you:
You might be able to go to an independent car shop for a cheaper diagnostic.