Seeking Advice on '01 Mazda Tribute Overheating, Check Engine Light, and Diminishing Coolant Level Issues

Hey there! Had a similar incident with my '99 Mazda MPV. Just for some context, I've got a bit of experience tinkering with cars, but nothing too pro. It all boiled down to the Cable connection/plug of the water pump being defective. My trusted garage spotted the defective stuff and threw it in the bin. Replaced it with a new one – took care of my coolant level and overheating issues tremendous. Lightened my wallet by about €155 though. Could you share more details about your car, such as its mileage, maintenance history etc.? Could help us pinpoint the problem better. Hang in there!

Hey, that’s a useful piece of info. Cheers! My ride's got around 217172 clicks on her but she's been quite reliable over the years. Last service was done a while ago, though I've kept on schedule with majority of them. Apart from regular maintenance, haven't had too many major setbacks. Based on your input, water pump seems a probable cause. Will definitely look into that. Thanks for taking time to reply! Much appreciated!

No worries! We're all in this together. Izzy busy world, but always a jiffy to spare for a fellow car enthusiast. With over 200k mileage, your Mazda Tribute has seen a few moons. Even if she's been looked after, something has gone awry this time. The water pump is a good starting point and the symptoms align, but don’t brush off other potential culprits too. The low coolant level is a bit concerning. It ain't vanishing into thin air; either there's an external leak, or scarier, it's being consumed internally, potentially by the head gasket. Signs to look for: white smoke from the exhaust, milky sludge under the oil cap, excessive oil consumption. If it's the head gasket, it's a hefty bit of work. Also, just for giggles, could be something simple like the thermostat not opening, causing the engine to overheat. A quick replacement or test can rule it out. Lastly, the vehicle speed sensor might be on the fritz, given the odd warning signal in the speedo. Cheap fix if that's the case. Again, just some wild stabs in the dark. Ultimately, I strongly urge you to get a full diagnostics run. Would hate for you to replace the water pump only to find it was something else. Good luck!

! You knocked it out of the park with that detailed response. I hadn’t considered the scenario of an internal leak or a faulty head gasket. Hate to imagine the possible expenses. That tip about the thermostat is a handy one too – easy and won’t break the bank. Speed sensor is also a good point. I'm grateful for your advice. I feel armed with knowledge now. Gonna get a full diagnostic check and see what's up. Hoping it's something straightforward, fingers crossed. If I find what's been causing the cheeky commotions, I’ll follow up - might come in handy for someone else in the future. Thanks a ton again and keep revving!