Power Control Module

Asked by Khowewerner May 09, 2023 at 01:43 PM about the 2006 Mazda Tribute

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I took my car in for a check engine light. The shop diagnosed a valve temperature control sensor and pigtail was faulty. They order the parts and put in a new pigtail and noticed that connector was wired differently than the one in my car. So they said they needed to get the parts from Mazda and that it would take a few days to get it so I took the car home. On the way home I noticed a electrical smell in the car and the temperature gauge wasn't working  and neither was the AC. I had just commented to my spouse that the AC was working great the day before taking it to the shop. The shop told me that the AC had nothing to do with what the did to the car. They replaced the pigtail and sensor and ALL of the mechanical parts for the AC. It still didn't work. Traced it to pin 15 on the power control module and that it had to go to the Mazda dealership to be fixed that they couldn't do it there. Now the heater, fan, defrosters etc do not work. My question is: could they have fried the power control module by installing the valve temperature sensor pigtail with the wrong wiring have fried the power control module? Please help. I have already spent over $3000 with this shop in the last month!

1 Answer

157,615

Sounds like they replaced the coolant temperature sensor with either the wrong part or an updated version of the original part. Then tried to make it work by using a pigtail which was the wrong one too! Rockauto.com shows a sensor and pigtail sold together. So I'm suspecting there's been a design change. This would absolutely effect the air conditioning. If the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) loses the signal from the coolant temperature sensor it assumes the engine is overheating and takes action to avoid engine damage. One thing that happens is the air conditioning is disabled because it increases the heat load on the cooling system. In short, the so called shop you went to messed up big time! Sorry! Jim

Your Answer:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Reelin68
    Reputation
    580
  • #2
    DavidEaster
    Reputation
    500
  • #3
    woodbird
    Reputation
    350
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Ford Escape
131 Great Deals out of 4,598 listings starting at $2,995
Used Toyota RAV4
100 Great Deals out of 2,089 listings starting at $3,888
Used Honda CR-V
99 Great Deals out of 3,843 listings starting at $1,795
Used Hyundai Santa Fe
59 Great Deals out of 1,594 listings starting at $3,950
Used Toyota Corolla
122 Great Deals out of 1,994 listings starting at $2,795
Used Mazda MAZDA3
73 Great Deals out of 1,498 listings starting at $2,495
Used Mazda CX-9
17 Great Deals out of 425 listings starting at $5,955
Used Subaru Forester
22 Great Deals out of 1,056 listings starting at $2,695

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.