PDA

View Full Version : Help with my CEL


nealric
05-26-2008, 03:00 AM
For the last few thousand miles I have been having a very annoying intermittent problem.

This has always occured when I have been going about 40-50mph and just let off the gas in 4th or 5th (4x now).

What happens is that I get a sudden loss of power and the CEL flashes for about 5 seconds. Then, the CEL goes solid, the power comes back and the car drives fine for the next 1,000 miles or so until it happens agaion. The CEL only stays on for 5-6 miles so I have never been able to get down to an Autozone to get the code read while the CEL is still on.

I at first thoght it was the spark plugs, since they were definetly overdue for a change. I swapped them out, which definetly made the motor run smoother, but the CEL issue came back afterwards.

Any ideas on what could be the problem?

My best guess is a failing MAF, but I don't want to start spending money on parts until I know what it is to a reasonable certainty. Since it's intermittent, it seems like it is more likely to be an electrical/sensor thing. I doubt my mods have much to do with it since they were on for 40k miles before getting the CEL for the first time.

Also, is it possible to pull up past codes with the Autozone readers even if the CEL is not lit?
MazdaSpeeder
05-26-2008, 05:02 AM
I believe CEL flashing is normally due to a misfire, maybe it's plug wires or a coil going. If you decide to replace all of that, I would upgrade to the 1.8 wire/coilpack setup.

The code should probably still be in the computer even if the CEL is off...I would get it read.
kpacker51
05-26-2008, 09:15 AM
+1

Even a code that disappears can be read. And yes, it sounds like a misfire. Probably more to do with wires jumping across each other....but won't know till you get the code read. Good Luck.
nealric
05-27-2008, 01:24 AM
Thanks for the help guys....

I forgot about the coil packs. Does anybody know if the Acdelco 1.8L coil packs are ok? They are $55 instead of $180 for the OEM.

I will let you know how it works out after getting the code read.
MazdaSpeeder
05-27-2008, 01:49 AM
Check out this thread...it has all the info you need for the coilpack conversion.

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123650373
ghettoracingkid
05-29-2008, 11:17 AM
or you can get them at autozone for $17 each

autozone.com
nealric
06-01-2008, 03:16 AM
Got the code read...

Random multiple misfires.

Sounds like the wires. But Since I am already buying wires, sounds like the conversion might be worth it.


or you can get them at autozone for $17 each

autozone.com

They were $166 at autozone last I checked. Am I missing something?
nealric
06-04-2008, 04:09 PM
bump on the issue ACDELCO 1.8L coil packs
nealric
06-04-2008, 04:10 PM
bump on the issue ACDELCO 1.8L coil packs and possible $17 coil packs
ghettoracingkid
06-04-2008, 04:17 PM
sorry i only check this board when im at work.... lol i know


<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=555 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=375 border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#ff9a4a><TD bgColor=#ff9a4a colSpan=8 height=20><NOBR>Results 1-1 of 1 </NOBR></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=12>http://www.autozone.com/images/template_images/clearpixel.gif</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#5c6574><TD width=9 bgColor=#e6e8ed height=19> </TD><TD width=75 bgColor=#e6e8ed height=19>Product</TD><TD width=5 bgColor=#e6e8ed height=19> </TD><TD width=135 bgColor=#e6e8ed height=19> </TD><TD width=5 bgColor=#e6e8ed height=19> </TD><TD width=2 bgColor=#e6e8ed height=19> </TD><TD width=71 bgColor=#e6e8ed height=19>Part No.</TD><TD width=5 bgColor=#e6e8ed height=19> </TD><TD width=85 bgColor=#e6e8ed height=19>Price</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=9>http://www.autozone.com/images/template_images/clearpixel.gif</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD colSpan=9>http://www.autozone.com/images/template_images/clearpixel.gif</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD colSpan=9>http://www.autozone.com/images/template_images/clearpixel.gif</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD width=9></TD><TD width=70>
http://www.autozone.com/images/products/wl2/wl2c1340002.jpg (http://www.autozone.com/R,APP34652/vehicleId,2734501/initialAction,partProductDetail/store,2935/partType,00027/shopping/partProductDetail.htm)
</TD><TD vAlign=top width=5> </TD><TD vAlign=top align=left width=135>Duralast / Coil - Ignition (http://www.autozone.com/R,APP34652/vehicleId,2734501/initialAction,partProductDetail/store,2935/partType,00027/shopping/partProductDetail.htm)
</TD><TD vAlign=top width=5> </TD><TD vAlign=top width=2> </TD><TD vAlign=top width=71>C1340</TD><TD vAlign=top width=5> </TD><TD vAlign=top width=85><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=85 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3 height=10>$17.99</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD colSpan=9>http://www.autozone.com/images/template_images/clearpixel.gif</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD vAlign=top width=9>http://www.autozone.com/images/template_images/clearpixel.gif</TD><TD colSpan=8>Note:</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD vAlign=top width=9>http://www.autozone.com/images/template_images/clearpixel.gif</TD><TD colSpan=8>2 required</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD colSpan=9>http://www.autozone.com/images/template_images/clearpixel.gif</TD></TR><!-- BEGIN - SHOW THIS IF THE STORE HAS NOT BEEN SELECTED --><!-- END - SHOW THIS IF THE STORE HAS NOT BEEN SELECTED --><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD colSpan=9><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=375 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=right colSpan=8>http://www.autozone.com/images/shopping/dotted_line_shop.gif</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD vAlign=top width=103 height=10>http://www.autozone.com/images/clearpixel.gif</TD><TD vAlign=center align=left width=35 height=10>Store:</TD><TD class=bodysmallbold vAlign=center align=left width=5 height=10>http://www.autozone.com/images/clearpixel.gif</TD><TD vAlign=center align=left width=85 height=10>http://www.autozone.com/images/shopping/not_available_button.gif</TD><TD vAlign=center align=middle width=20 height=10>http://www.autozone.com/images/shopping/mid_dotted_line_shop.gif</TD><TD vAlign=center align=left width=30 height=10>Online:</TD><TD vAlign=center align=left width=5 height=10>http://www.autozone.com/images/clearpixel.gif</TD><TD vAlign=center align=left width=95 height=10>http://www.autozone.com/images/shopping/buy_online_button.gif (http://www.autozone.com/R,APP34652/vehicleId,2734501/store,2935/initialAction,partTypeResultSet/partTypeId,00027/initialN,16200027/shopping/addToCart.htm)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD colSpan=9>http://www.autozone.com/images/template_images/clearpixel.gif</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD colSpan=9>http://www.autozone.com/images/template_images/grey_line.gif</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD vAlign=top width=8>http://www.autozone.com/images/template_images/clearpixel.gif</TD><TD vAlign=top width=170><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=170 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>http://www.autozone.com/images/shopping/small_banners/duralast_parts_SM.jpg (http://www.autozone.com/N,4294965561/shopping/brandSelect.htm)</TD></TR><TR><TD>http://www.autozone.com/images/template_images/clearpixel.gif</TD></TR><TR><TD width=177><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=170 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3><!-- includes/sisterStoreBox.jsp $Revision:$ --><LINK href="/azo_2001.css" type=text/css rel=stylesheet><TABLE height=86 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=170 align=center border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#5c6574><TD bgColor=#ffffff colSpan=2 height=19>http://www.autozone.com/images/shopping/your_local_az.gif</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#e6e8ed><TD colSpan=2 height=5>http://www.autozone.com/images/template_images/clearpixel.gif</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#e6e8ed><TD width=5 height=43>http://www.autozone.com/images/template_images/clearpixel.gif</TD><TD vAlign=top width=165 height=43>2295 HEMPSTEAD TPK
EAST MEADOW, NY 11554
(516)520-3007

</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#e6e8ed><TD width=5 height=19> </TD><TD vAlign=top height=19>Search Another Store (http://www.autozone.com/N,16200027/catSect,parts/storeNo,2935/shopping/sisterStoreList.htm)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3 height=3><!-- includes/partsAnswers.jsp $Revision: 1.19 $ --></TD></TR><TR><TD width=170><!-- includes/brandRefinements.jsp $Revision: 1.19 $ --><LINK href="/azo_2001.css" type=text/css rel=stylesheet></TD></TR><TR><TD align=right height=4>http://www.autozone.com/images/template_images/clearpixel.gif</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3 height=10><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=170 align=right bgColor=#ffffff border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#5c6574><TD width=5></TD><TD bgColor=#5c6574 colSpan=2 height=20>Related Parts</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#e6e8ed><TD colSpan=3 height=3></TD></TR><TR bgColor=#e6e8ed><TD colSpan=3 height=5>http://www.autozone.com/images/template_images/clearpixel.gif</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#e6e8ed><TD width=5 height=15>http://www.autozone.com/images/template_images/clearpixel.gif</TD><TD width=10 height=15>http://www.autozone.com/images/shopping/right_nav_grey_subcat_arrow.gif</TD><TD vAlign=top width=155 height=15>Wireset (http://www.autozone.com/N,16200006/shopping/partTypeResultSet.htm)</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#e6e8ed><TD colSpan=3 height=3>http://www.autozone.com/images/clearpixel.gif</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
nealric
06-04-2008, 04:34 PM
Ah- I'm pretty sure my coil packs are OK- it's just the wires.
Only reason to buy new ones is if they are for the 1.8L
ghettoracingkid
06-04-2008, 04:45 PM
i would buy the stock ones for the 2.0 and see how it goes. its cheaper and less work then doing the 1.8 conversion
nealric
06-04-2008, 05:29 PM
i would buy the stock ones for the 2.0 and see how it goes. its cheaper and less work then doing the 1.8 conversion

My logic is that I have to spend $30 for wires anyway. Might as well spend another $50 for 1.8L coil packs and get an upgrade (assuming the ACDELCO coil packs are OK). If I buy stock wires, I would have to buy 1.8L wires on top of the stock wires if I decide to do the conversion.
MazdaSpeeder
06-04-2008, 10:50 PM
I think there's some discussion of the store brand coilpacks in the conversion thread...If I remember right, several people used them with success, but I would check to make sure...
gsmooth
06-21-2008, 05:54 AM
i got mine from O'Reilly's...13$ a coil pack....WAY better quality then the ones I picked up for about 75$ a year ago.

no problems so far...car runs great (aside from tran issues!)