Service Bulletin

Mazda North American Operations
Irvine, CA 92618-2922

© 2013 Mazda Motor of America, Inc.

Subject:

Bulletin No:

09-021/13

Last Issued:

07/19/2013

EXCESSIVE OPERATING NOISE WHEN SLIDING POWER SEAT

APPLICABLE MODEL(S)NINS
2014 Mazda6 equipped with power seats with VINs lower than JM1GJ•*'*••125980 (produced June 1, 2013)

DESCRIPTION
Some vehicles may exhibit excessive noise when operating either front power seat forward or backward.
The noise may be caused by cable vibration, which transmits power from the motor to the gears. The cable
vibrates inside the case due to inadequate fabric wrapped around the cable. The fabric thickness has been
increased to eliminate the noise.
Customers having this concern should have their vehicle repaired using the following repair procedure.

REPAIR PROCEDURE
1. Verify if the noise is coming from the driver and/or passenger side seat when sliding the seat back and forth
with the slide switch.
NOTE:
To show the cable layout more clearly, the seat cushion was removed for the illustrations in this
bulletin.
Replace the power seat cable (with a modified part) only for the seat(s) generating noise.
WARNING: Be sure to wear work gloves to avoid injuries by the seat frame.
2. Fold the seat back forward by operating the reclining switch.
3. Adjust the seat height and tilt positions upward by operating the switches in order to increase work space as
necessary.
NOTE: There is no tilt or height adjustment function on the passenger side power seat.

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Page 1 of 7
CONSUMER NOTICE: The information and instructions in this bulletin are intended for use by skilled technicians. Mazda technicians utilize the proper tools/
equipment and take training to correctly and safely maintain Mazda vehicles. These instructions should not be performed by "do-it-yourselfers." Customers
should not assume this bulletin applies to their vehicle or that their vehicle will develop the described concern. To determine if the information applies,
customers should contact their nearest authorized Mazda dealership. Mazda North American Operations reserves the right to alter1he specifications and
contents of this bulletin without obligation or advance notice. All rights reserved. No part of this bulletin may be reproduced in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical---including photocopying and recording and the use of any kind of information storage and retrieval system ---without permission in
writing.

Bulletin No: 09-021/13

Last Issued: 07/19/2013

© 2013 Mazda Motor of America, Inc

4. Slide the seat forward, then remove the rear installation bolts.

NOTE: Remove the rear installation bolts before removing the front installation bolts.
5. Slide the seat rearward, then remove the front installation bolts.
6. Lay the seat back down with care to avoid damaging the surrounding parts.

2810b

7. Insert an appropriate tool between the frame and the cable (the general area is shown below/left). Use the
tool as a lever to release the cable from the center bracket (SOmm from the motor as shown below/right).

CAUTION: To avoid adjuster unit damage, DO NOT operate the slide switch after removing the cable.
NOTE: To show the cable layout more clearly, the seat cushion is not shown.

281Dc

Page2 of7

Bulletin No: 09-021/13

Last Issued: 07/19/2013

© 2013 Mazda Motor of America, Inc.

8. Hold the cable by hand and lift it up to release it from the (2) two outer cable brackets.

2810d

9. Pull the cable in the direction of the arrow (as shown below) to remove it from the motor.

CAUTION: When removing the cable, remove it from the motor side first. If it is removed from the
gear box side first, the engagement position could become misaligned.

2810e

Page 3 of 7

Bulletin No: 09-021/13

Last Issued: 07/19/2013

© 2013 Mazda Motor of America, Inc.

10. Pull the cable in the direction of the arrow (shown below) to remove it from the gear box.

==========~

2810f

11. Align the square tip of the new cable to the square shape in the motor. Push the cable all the way in (A)
using car~ not to damage or deform it.
A

2810g

12. Align the square tip of the cable to the square shape in the gear box. Push the cable all the way in.

•2810h

Page 4 of7

Bulletin No: 09-021/13

Last Issued: 07/19/2013

© 2013 Mazda Motor of America, Inc.

CAUTION:
If the cable is bent too much during installation, operation noise may occur. DO NOT hold the cable
around the tip.

2810i

CAUTION:
If work space is too dark to see properly, use a light to illuminate the spot where the cable should be
installed.
Take caution not to pinch the seat belt buckle harness (A).

2810j

Page 5 of 7

Bulletin No~ 09-021/13
© 2013 Mazda Motor of America, Inc.

Last Issued: 07/19/2013

13. Press the cable from above with your fingers to secliJre it in. the (3) three brackets shown below.

2810k

14. Look un~er the seat and verify the following points:.
The c~ble is not curved or floating.
The cable is properly installed into the motor side and gear box side (A).
The cable is properly secured to the seat frame at each cable bracket (B).

A

28101

15. Reinstall the seat in reverse order of removal.
16. Verify th~ seat slides back and forth without any problem and that the noise is gone.
NOTE: If the cable is not installed correctly, the following abnormal conditions could occur:
The seat slides only on one side rail (left or right side only).
A rasping type noise is heard.
1

17. SEAT WITH SEAT WEIGHT SENSOR ONLY: Perform the seat weight sensor inspection according to the
instructipns on MS3 online or the Workshop Manual (section 09-13 [SEATWEIGHT SENSOR REMOVAL/
INSTAL~ATION [TWO-STEP DEPLOYMENT CONh"ROL SYSTEM]).
18. Verify the repair.
Page 6 of 7

Bulletin No: 09-021/13

Lastlssued: 07/19/2013

© 2013 Mazda Motor of America, Inc.

PART(S) INFORMATION

Part Number

Description

Oty.

Notes

GHL2-88-0D1

Power seat cable

1 or 2

1 cable per side

WARRANTY INFORMATION
NOTE:
This warranty information applies only to verified customer complaints on vehicles eligible for warranty repair.
This repair will be covered under Mazda's New Vehicle Limited Warranty term.
Additional diagnostic time cannot be claimed for this repair.

Warranty Type

A

Symptom Code

80

Damage Code

97

Part Number Main Cause
Quantity
Operation Number I Labor Hours:

GHL2-88-0D1

1 or 2
XXJSTXRX I 0.3 Hrs: One side (with or wlo seat weight sensor)
XXJSUXRX I 0.4 Hrs: Both sides (wlo seat weight sensor)
XXJSVXRX I 0.5 Hrs: Both sides (with seat weight sensor)

Page 7 of?

If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g , dead battery), inter view the customer before proceeding with normal
Workshop Manual diagnosi s. Aftermarket devices ma y be the ca use of the electrical co nce rn. Ask the customer if any
aftermarket devices have bee n in st alled . Belo w are a co uple of examples of unusual electrical concerns ca used by
aftermarket devices.

Example 1
Some electrical devices connected to the DLC-2 co nnector by insurance companies ma y discharge the battery.
The device ma y disrupt the CAN system battery save r mode.

DLC-2

Aftermarket device

Example 2
Some aftermarket de vices that are wired to the ve hicle s's wiring harne ss may create unu sual electrical symptom s and/
or store DTC s. Belo w is an example of a dim headlight. The aftermarket de vice changed the headlight circuit resistance,
causing a dim headlight.

Main fuse

Aftermarket device
BCM

OEM harness
cut

Red lead
Light relay
Relay and fuse block

Relay

illumination

If you determine that no aftermarket de vices ha ve been installed, continue with normal Workshop Manual diagnosi s.

Note:

If you determine the co ncern was caused by an aftermarket device, inform the customer that ve hicle
repairs w ill not be cove red by Mazda' s Ne w Vehicle Limit ed Warranty.

7711
So me ve hi cles may ex hi bit a MIL on wi th DTC P0171 (Fu el t ri m sys t em t oo lea n) and /o r a ro ugh id le. Th e rough idle is
most pronoun ced at idl e when th e A/C co m presso r engages. Prior t o pe rfor mi ng nor mal dia gn os ti cs, co nfi rm th at th e air
clea ner cove r is prope rl y sec ured.

Note: A 2011 Mazda3 air cleaner
cove r is show n. Oth er mode l air
clea ners are sim ilar.

When rep lac in g or in spect in g th e air
clea ner element. make sure th e ai r
clea ner cove r is pr oper ly secured t o
th e lowe r air box. So me air clea ner
covers have 3 inse rt s on one sid e
and 2 anchors on th e ot he r sid e. A
MIL may be st ored and /o r a rough
id le may occ ur if th e air clea ner
cove r is not in sta ll ed cor rectl y.

Left side of th e air clea ner cover is inse rt ed
int o t he lower air clea ner hous in g correc tl y.

....

Front of

- -..>~ vehicle

Left side of th e air clea ner cove r is not in se rt ed
into th e lowe r air clea ner housin g co rr ec tl y.

muL.TI-ll iiODeL
CLOUDY/YELLOWED HEADLIGHTS
Some customers may complain about cloudy or yellowed headlights. A Mazda approved headlight restoration kit is
available to correct this concern.
The headlight lens discoloration or cloudiness
is a problem plaguing the automotive industry. Varying degrees of this condition can be
found on vehicles 4 years or older, regard less of vehicle make or model. The problem is
caused by ultraviolet (UV). This degradation of
the original hardcoat on the lens. This exposes
the unprotected polycarbonate surface, which
quickly yellows and turns cloudy.

To correct this concern and provide a long term solution, Mazda has approved the Presta ReNulite ® Headlight Restoration
Kit. This Kit has three distinct advantages over similar repair products found on the market today.
Most of the products and procedures on the market include only sanding and buffing the lens. While initial results look
good, the lens will return to its former condition within a few months. ReNulite's Headlight Sealant, a patent-pending
formula that contains UV absorbers and neutralizers . The sealant treats the lens surface to prevent future lens discoloration and deterioration.
When the repair is performed per the instructions, the headlight will retain its restored appearance and performance
for about 3 years.
This is the only sealant Mazda recommends. The sealant passes extensive weathering testing using industry standard
specifications, such as SAE J2527 and J1545.

Presta ReNuLite® Headlight Restoration Kit

UV curing light

The Presta kit will repair up to 10 vehicles. Also shown is the optional UV curing light. This light will be required only if
adequate sunlight is not available to cure the applied sealant.
A video of the easy-to-use repair process can be viewed in English or Spanish at the following link :
http://www .presta prod ucts.com/re n u Iite .aspx
Order the kit(s) directly from the supplier:
The ReNulite Headlight Restoration Kit and replacement products can be ordered from Presta at (800) 860-4488 Monday
through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time or by emailing renulite @prestaproducts.com . Technical support questions can also be directed here.