Engine died... again

[Lord_Zath]

I'm just trying to see if anyone has had a similar problem.

Auto Sportronic Trans
2003 P5
6k miles

The engine died for the second time this morning. Each time it's been during backup at a stop sign (no brake or acceleration, just coasting). The engine was warm - at the middle of the temp gauge for about 2-5 minutes.

I just spoke with a mazda service dude and he suggested that it might be a short in my electrical system? Is this a possibility? The first time I had absolutely no load on the car - no audio, a/c, air, etc. This second time I just had my stereo on. I do have aftermarket horns installed, but I know they're installed properly. And I wasn't using them either.

Any thoughts on what this might be? I was guessing it was because the car's idling low and when I let off the brake, it was too low for the engine and it died? Other possibilities? Ideas on how I might be able to fix this?

Thanks

LZ
Z

[Dexter]

You back up at stop signs?

[maitai92]

did it start right up after the stall? could be a bad gas ?

[BlkZoomZoom]

Its a sticking egr valve. Take it to a dealer, its a highly know problem, they will clean it and put it back on, then order you a new one. They are on national b/o so it may be a couple of weeks.

[mcstark]

Its a sticking egr valve. Take it to a dealer, its a highly know problem, they will clean it and put it back on, then order you a new one. They are on national b/o so it may be a couple of weeks.
That sounds like your problem. The EGR valve went bad in my Focus right after I bought it, although it never stalled it felt like I was running on 2 cylinders. It shook, stumbled, and ran like a Yugo. Once they replaced it, my car ran like new.

Have them check it out...that's gotta be it.

[registering]

Its a sticking egr valve. Take it to a dealer, its a highly know problem, they will clean it and put it back on, then order you a new one. They are on national b/o so it may be a couple of weeks.
Is there a TSB for this? I went to www.nhtsa.dot.gov and couldn't find any.

Sounds like an EGR problem though, I had the same problem with my old Saturn. Make sure your plug wires are on firmly, too. My P5 idle has never been great, although I heard grounding wires can help. A few times it's barely shuddered its way past stalling. Might be a clogged PCV valve, filthy air cleaner or bad O2 sensor, but I doubt at 6k.

[Lord_Zath]

Engine starts up right away. CEL is on when engine dies. But does not remain when I start the engine up. Thanks for the info I will talk to the dealer tomorrow if possible about this and see what they can dig up. Oh and forgot to mention the first time engine died was about a month to a month and a half ago...

If there's a TSB on this, where might I find it?

Thanks again, guys! Now I feel somewhat better!

LZ
Z

[Protephile]

I looked and didn't see one, but you can try here:

http://web2.airmail.net/theman/protegefaq/

[Protege52003]

That sounds like your problem. The EGR valve went bad in my Focus right after I bought it, although it never stalled it felt like I was running on 2 cylinders. It shook, stumbled, and ran like a Yugo. Once they replaced it, my car ran like new.

Have them check it out...that's gotta be it.....this happened to my car last week. threw a CEL last friday. took it to my dealer in monday and they cleaned the ERG valve and ordered me a new one that should be in a couple weeks. car runs much better now. was on constant choke the day before I drove it to the dealer on monday. was terrible....guess 1 out of 10 proteges have this problem develop.....

[bazooka joe]

....this happened to my car last week. threw a CEL last friday. took it to my dealer in monday and they cleaned the ERG valve and ordered me a new one that should be in a couple weeks. car runs much better now. was on constant choke the day before I drove it to the dealer on monday. was terrible....guess 1 out of 10 proteges have this problem develop.....
EGR problem: it's like puberty, we all have to go through it!!!!!!!!!!!(chair)

[Protege52003]

EGR problem: it's like puberty, we all have to go through it!!!!!!!!!!!(chair)
....so you had this problem?

[bazooka joe]

oh ya, at about 40k miles. all of a sudden rough idle stalled twice. they replaced the egr valve and off i went no more issues. it's a know problem but it's not a TSB issue, i don't think.

[Lord_Zath]

thanks guys! Bazooka Joe, my car didn't idle rough either time. I let off the brake and expected the car to slowly move and feel nothing. I felt nothing, but the car didn't move :(

LZ
Z

[Protege52003]

yeah, they cleaned my valve monday and ordered me a new one.....mine went at 36k, close to 40 as BJoe's. they said a couple weekd before the new one is in. car runs good now though....was running like ass the past two weeks and only got worse!
thanks guys! Bazooka Joe, my car didn't idle rough either time. I let off the brake and expected the car to slowly move and feel nothing. I felt nothing, but the car didn't move :(

LZ
Z