Rough idle, stalling, erratic throttling

[rman]

Hi,

My 2001 Protege (2.0 5-speed) has recently experienced sporadic throttle issues at varying speeds. The sensation is one of a very touchy accelerator -letting off and lightly tapping causes the car to lurch. It actually has extra power at these times when the accelerator is hammered down, like there's a turbo unit kicking in or something. I have to admit, this part is kind of fun. However.....

Over the past week or so I've now began to experience sporadic idling/stop problems. The car will idle around the 700 mark (when starting or stopped) and then nearly stall - if I gently keep my foot on the gas to keep it above 1000 rpm, it seems to stays running ok.

The check engine light has not come on, so I don't think it would be a sensor as I believe these would throw a code? I've also ruled out coil packs/plugs in my mind as this wouldn't explain the acceleration issues.

I'm guessing it has something to do with the air/gas mixture. I replaced the air filter and checked/listened for cracks/air leaks and can't see or hear anything offhand (although I haven't done any disassembly to thoroughly check). I thought it may have to do with the idling switch, but I don't think this makes sense with respect to the sporadic throttle/acceleration issues? Perhaps I should bump up the idling anyway to see what happens?

Any ideas out there? Thanks in advance!

Rman

[Matthew1785]

Hi,

My 2001 Protege (2.0 5-speed) has recently experienced sporadic throttle issues at varying speeds. The sensation is one of a very touchy accelerator -letting off and lightly tapping causes the car to lurch. It actually has extra power at these times when the accelerator is hammered down, like there's a turbo unit kicking in or something. I have to admit, this part is kind of fun. However.....

Over the past week or so I've now began to experience sporadic idling/stop problems. The car will idle around the 700 mark (when starting or stopped) and then nearly stall - if I gently keep my foot on the gas to keep it above 1000 rpm, it seems to stays running ok.

The check engine light has not come on, so I don't think it would be a sensor as I believe these would throw a code? I've also ruled out coil packs/plugs in my mind as this wouldn't explain the acceleration issues.

I'm guessing it has something to do with the air/gas mixture. I replaced the air filter and checked/listened for cracks/air leaks and can't see or hear anything offhand (although I haven't done any disassembly to thoroughly check). I thought it may have to do with the idling switch, but I don't think this makes sense with respect to the sporadic throttle/acceleration issues? Perhaps I should bump up the idling anyway to see what happens?

Any ideas out there? Thanks in advance!

Rman

pop off ur EGR value might want to change ur plugs and run some seafoam through your system

[Azaizai]

Also, check the rubber hosing going from your intake to your filter box. Sometimes that rubber cracks, allows air to enter and can throw off MAF readings.

Nothing a lil duct tape wont fix

[rman]

Thanks for your replies. I checked everywhere for cracks and loose hoses and everything seems to be in order. Car ran well for most of the afternoon and then acted up again. When I gently nursed it to 1000 rpm and held the gas, it still ran rough, so I've ruled out the low idle entirely. When I listened under the hood, I thought I could hear a vacuum leak, but it may just be the alternator - arghh! I'll try the seafoam thing - who knows....

I called up my mechanic who told me that I should keep driving and hope that the check engine light comes on to throw a code. If this becomes intolerable before that, I guess I'll just have to bring it in and get them to start via the process of elimination. The car's only 5 years old with 83k on it and it's already had several issues - I'm hoping this one's simple!!

If anyone else has ideas on what this may be, I'd be glad to hear them!

Rman

[jeg0024]

Thread moved to correct sub-forum.

[njaremka]

could be one of a couple different things.....
1- EGR
2- MAF Sensor
3- Cracked Vacuum Hose
4- ???

unfortunately, without a CEL code it will be very hard to figure it out. best advice i might be able to give is to MAKE the car act up and hope the computer sees the problem and throws a code.

[rman]

I did let the car sputter away yesterday and the CEL finally came on. I'll get the mechanic to check it out tomorrow - I've had several "mystery" issues with this car, so I'm hoping this one is a little more clearly defined and can be fixed quickly and cheaply. (bang)

I'll keep this thread posted.....

[njaremka]

i'm looking forward to hearing what code get pulled. i have had the egr codes and the maf codes, so i should be able to help out.

[rman]

Well, the CEL code indicated "Restricted EGR Flow". The assumption is that the EGR valve needs to be replaced as it is an apparent defect on many 2.0 2001 Protege's. The mechanic said parts and labour should be about $350-$400. No guarantees this will fix the problem but seems pretty logical.

njaremka, are you out there?

Thanks!

[njaremka]

you can try to clean the egr valve, or raplce it yourself. it should only be about a 15 minute job to remove and replace.

this thread show you ho to remove and clean it -
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94788

if you plan on just replacing it, you can ignore the cleaning part. you can get the egr valve from OnlineMazdaParts.com

[rman]

Thanks njaremka! I'll let you know what happens!

[rman]

Looks like it was the obvious - the egr valve which is so commonly defective on this model!

Thanks!

rman

[jimmybrite]

is the new egr better than stock? or it's just the same OE Part

[njaremka]

supposedly, there was an "update" done some where along the line. the one you get now from the dealer is supposed to be an updated version.

[rman]

Good news is, the EGR valve definitely fixed my previous issue.

Bad news is, the standard tranny is toast.

Since the day I bought my Protege, something just didn't feel right in the way it shifted. But of course Mazda - and even my mechanic - said it seemed okay. Looks like my intuition was right. 85k miles and I need another one.

I'm exceptionally disappointed (and broke to boot). I've driven other brands twice as old with twice as many miles or more without ever having these kinds of issues.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to who I should write to about all of this? I don't expect to see any compensation, but I feel someone should know about the grief this product has caused!

Sorry for my rant, I guess I just got the proverbial lemon of the lot....

rman

[qikslvr2006]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Finally lmao I get on after being of for a REALY long time and i find this. My cars an 02 and im having the same trouble. and it also feels like the clutch is slipping when im accelerating in 1 and 2 and 3. hahahahahaha I'll be driving all nice and it will just grind sometimes. so i think my clutch and trany are done too.

IM NOT A BAD DRIVER GUYS. its a 2002 with 146000 + miles. hahahaha only one tranny flush and regular oil changes. plus I lernt how to drive a stick on this can. AND ITS BEEN ABUSED BY CRAZY why did I do that driving. lol

u guys think bad of me i know it. anywayz thanks. I probably should do the tran thing. hahaha



Good news is, the EGR valve definitely fixed my previous issue.

Bad news is, the standard tranny is toast.

Since the day I bought my Protege, something just didn't feel right in the way it shifted. But of course Mazda - and even my mechanic - said it seemed okay. Looks like my intuition was right. 85k miles and I need another one.

I'm exceptionally disappointed (and broke to boot). I've driven other brands twice as old with twice as many miles or more without ever having these kinds of issues.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to who I should write to about all of this? I don't expect to see any compensation, but I feel someone should know about the grief this product has caused!

Sorry for my rant, I guess I just got the proverbial lemon of the lot....

rman