Mazda 3 2009 automatic - Engine stalling problem

Hello Tiny

It runs fine but stops soon while I am driving so I have to restart again.

I just received a quick message from the garage telling me the problem is the instrument cluster (combiné des instruments est défectueux) if I understand him correctly.

Q: Is this problem difficult to identify?
He took more than 10 days to diagnose.

Q: Could this problem be related to the previous PCM problem?
The problem this time is the exactly the same as last time.

It's just under 5 year old but I need to get a new car if the problem persists... It has already cost me thousands of EUR...

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much for your quick reply again.

As for the check engine light, I am not sure if it's coming on nor not. I have to ask the mechanic. If it's coming on, what does it mean? Sorry about this stupid question.

According to his repair estimate, a speedometer needs to be replaced... How come? Did you come across a similar problem?

He also noted the continuity between the instrument cluster and PCM need to be checked (le control de la continuite entree le PCM et le combine d'instrument ) requiring 2H.

I am not a tech savvy but feel it is the PCM problem or he somehow didn't connect well last time he installed the PCM...

Total 1800 EUR.

I am not convinced at all.

I see. I found a post on the web, who had a similar problem as mine and somebody suggested to check the speed sensor also.

To answer to your previous question if the check engine light is coming on or not, basically all the lights of the instrument panel lit up when the engine died and the gear indicator counted down through the gears 4, 3, 2, 1, until the car simply coasted to a halt. It was simply the matter of restart of the engine to proceed for a while until the next failure.

Sorry to ask you again but just to confirm your opinion that the instrument panel generally and a speedometer specifically should have no such impact on the engine management and therefore can't be the cause of the engine failure? Would we be correct also in our understanding that such control of the engine is the primary function of the "PCM"?

Thank you very much again for your expertise and advice. We really appreciate it as we feel this garage is simply trying to avoid his responsibilities under the warranty for the replacement of the PCM last year.