Electric vacuum pump system malfunction

Technical Area Engine, Transmission, Exhaust etc
1
  1. My model of MX-5 is: ND 2016
  2. I’m based near: Chester
  3. I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: Brakes and Electric vacuum pump malfunction.

driving to work, all okay when suddenly no brakes like the vacuum assist failed. Since I was only a mile to work I took it easy and checked the car out at lunch. At the time of the brake problem I checked the screen and it had “Elevtric vacuum pump system malfunction”.

I set off from work no issues but half way same thing, I stopped at a safe place left the car running hoping to find a vac leak. everything still looks okay. Switched the car off restarted the last trip home and no issues until 200 metres from home.

Had another look underneath and went out for a drive and everything was fine for about 5 miles. switched off, restarted and I have brakes again, brake test and it pulls up but not as hard and the malfunction warning has gone.

There are no codes on OBD

Has anyone had something similar ? I cannot find anything online and dont want to go to mazda since they waxed my roof and covered the windows with wax so badly that I couldnt see out of the rear window.

2

The electronic vac pump is to work in conjunction with stability control, the ND also has a vac pipe going to inlet manifold

I have used vac pumps if required

3

cheers Rodders, thank you for the offer. Do you know of a method to test mine or is it a replace and test, test ?

Is this the thing that goes to the front of the car behind the bumper, drivers side ? I have possibly heard a not familiar high pitched hum recently which is why I have been messing. (Industrial hearing) I think I have a manifold leak somewhere. My mpg took a bit of a dive recently

I had the pipe off from the manifold (the “S” shaped pipe at the rear of the manifold) on the weekend, there is a one way valve in it I think.

I cannot get my head around turning the car off and getting the brakes back on a restart!

I shall investigate further tomorrow.

Thanks to anyone who reads, :flash and wave:

4

Yes it’s underneath the O/S headlamp

I’ve never seen one fail tbh had ABS pump failure and servo failures

5

Seems my wife is correct. I’m a plonker. I reinstalled the vacuum assist pipe in reverse, not realising there was a check valve in the pipe.
On the upside I managed to let myself out for a brap to ‘check’ last night.