Apart from vibration, rear break squeaking, and excessive noise, another common Mazda issue is the in-vehicle network malfunction. While you may easily resolve a few issues, including excessive sound, identifying where the in-vehicle defect comes from can be tricky.
The “In-vehicle Network Malfunction. Have the Vehicle Inspected” indicator will display on your screen once there is an issue. Consequently, you’ll notice that the car goes into some limp mode. No doubt, the natural question to ask is, “is Mazda 3 in trouble?” No. You don’t have to fret because the cause is traceable and the solution doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
Let’s examine the reasons for Mazda in-vehicle network malfunction and a few expert solutions.
Why In-vehicle Network Malfunction?
Really good question! When your Mazda 3 dash screen indicates the sign of an in-vehicle network malfunction, you might notice a few changes. One obvious sign is that the vehicle will go into limp mode. This mode can linger for as long as you drive the car. Yet, your Mazda might still run, but only at an average or below-average performance and capacity.
Instinctively, you pull over and check for Mazda in-vehicle network malfunction code. Yet, no code shows. As you drive on, the on-screen message might disappear alongside the car’s limp mode, allowing the car to run perfectly. Take a few
Car not receiving satellite signal
Typically, your car gps receiver should be receiving signals as often as possible. If you’ve driven for as long as 30 miles, the car may not have received any signals from a satellite. You’ll see this message displayed on your screen. The reason this may have occurred is a loose wire. Some wires may have loosened, causing the signal not to get to where it should be.
Faulty GPS Antenna
Usually, a faulty in-vehicle global positioning system (GPS) receiver can cause a disconnection of a network between the various gadgets in your car. This is why your Mazda 3 may not find the network, causing the in-vehicle network malfunction to display. The GPS antenna can become defective if there is signal degradation. This can happen due to obstruction caused by tall buildings (skyscrapers) or trees. Atmospheric delay, absorption, or signal jamming can also be responsible.
Defective TCU
Another factor that may cause the network malfunction display is if the car’s telematic control unit (TCU) is faulty. A TCU is a system that helps your vehicle wirelessly link to the cloud for network services. This embedded system is often on-boarded in the vehicle with the help of a cellular network or V2X standards. Sometimes, the cellular network from your phone or stereo may fail due to an incoming call, thus causing poor network reception.
In-vehicle Network Malfunction Fixes
Now that you know the in-vehicle network malfunction causes, it is time to find a solution. Let’s examine a few possible fixes.
Disconnect the battery
The first thing you might want to do if this message comes on your screen is to disconnect the car battery. Simply tap your car trunk button up, hop out, open your car trunk and disconnect the battery. Ask someone to help you check if the message disappears after removing the battery cables. Allow the disconnection to last a few minutes. Reconnect the battery terminals to their respective ends. Go into the car and check if the message comes back on the display. That may be the only solution you need provided the car doesn’t signal any performance-related issue.
Connect all loose wires
So, when there is a lost or no signal, causing the in-vehicle network malfunction to show, there’s only one solution. Reconnect the loose wires and replace the faulty ones. This may take some hours if you don’t use the diagnostic device. If you use an OBD scanner, you may be lucky to see a code showing which wires are loose or faulty.
Fix or Replace faulty TCU
If you notice the network malfunction display in your vehicle, you may need to check the performance of the telematics control unit. Once this gadget becomes faulty, the vehicle is unable to connect to the cloud. The result is poor network services. The thing to do is to replace the system. But you need to diagnose the problem to be sure if this is the issue. Allow an expert to do the diagnosis and replacement jobs.
Replace the GPS receiver
This is an in-vehicle network malfunction fix you can handle yourself. But be sure the cause is a faulty GPS antenna. If the car gadgets are not able to receive signals from the satellite, a faulty GPS antenna is the culprit. Once it’s confirmed that the receiver is the problem, you can replace it without needing an expert. Use the exact replacement that your vehicle needs. An OEM or aftermarket GPS antenna will be ok.
In most cases, an in-vehicle network malfunction doesn’t cause a reduced engine performance. However, you observe any difficulties in driving, idling, handling, or performance. This may have nothing to do with network malfunction. But who knows? In these strange times, never say never.
Regardless, you’ll need a trip to your dealer to ascertain what’s wrong with the car. Some diagnoses will reveal the in-vehicle network malfunction causes and fixes.
A Wrap
The Mazda 3 in-vehicle network malfunction can become a big issue in if not properly managed. Just like your ailing body, having your vehicle inspected is the first step to resolving faults in cars. I’ve people say dealing with Mazda issues is a walk in the park. You don’t want to take any risk with your vehicle by second-guessing the problem. Once an auto mechanic can scan and discover what the causes are, the solution becomes easy. Don’t rush to fix if the service department isn’t open, wait until you get the green light.
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