i have a 2000 millenia 2.3, TCS lights coming on from time to time. i took it to the dealership and they gave me the codes P1526, P1540, P0431. cel is on all the time and has been for 2 years. unfortunately it is a dodge dealership and the mechanic said he didn't have the correct scan tool to isolate the problem, he suggested a ford or mazda dealer. i'm hoping to avoid going to another dealership. any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

some questions can best be answered by searching those codes in the forums, theres one a few post below yours. 1526 is the ABV solenoid, most likely a vacuum leak leading to or from the ABV. That would probably be your best place to start.

 

1526 and 1540 are both abv circuit, most likely vacuum leak. 0431 is left bank cat below threshold. with the cel on for 2 years, you may have fubar'd the left bank cat, you get to buy a new one for around 700 bucks, plus several hours labor to change it. keep ignoring the ce lite, and you will get to buy a new motor.

 

update: i took the car to my local ford dealership w/your recommendations in hand. unfortunately the tcs lights were not on at the time, and haven't come on for a few days. when i went to pick up the car they wanted to charge me $235 for diagnostic tests that gave them no answers. the service manager said that without the problems present at the time of testing they have no way of determining what the problem/fix is. i let him know my displeasure with the bill, he then told me he would lower the bill to the bare minimum ($70) and that he didn't want to see my car back there again.

what to do? where do i go? help!

i have a local mazda dealership but i'm afraid i will run into the same billing problems.

 

the miller cycle engine is unique to the mazda millenia/xedos, its the only car that has that engine and complicated vacuum system. most mechanics have no idea whats going on under a millenia hood as they dont see them too much. you cant expect a ford dealership to figure it out, shoulda went to mazda from the get go.