2001 Protege 2.0 random misfire - symptoms

I see. Those parts you're getting replaced can't be too expensive either. Let me know what happens on yours as well, when all is said and done. :) I don't have alot of money to throw at my car right now.
 
I just got my car back. They changed one of the ignition coil.

Driving back home the car seemed much better... but we'll see after a few days.

The mechanic said that when drove the car in the garage to work on it, the idle started screwing up... he opened the hood and disconnected one of the coil... the car stalled. Started it again and pulled the other, it contined to run rough... I guess that's a good way to test for a bad coil.
 
Hey guys, here comes another!

Decided that I'm going to get rid of my Mini Cooper S and drive the wifes paid off 2000 Protege DX (1.6l Auto, 12x,xxx miles) to prepare for the possible not-so-friendly economic days ahead. She got an 07 tC after the Protege started having problems. She was ready for a new car so I just assumed the worst (tranny) and it's been sitting for about 9 months now.

So today I decided to take it for a spin. I hadn't done so myself. In the past, at idle, it was misfiring. Today, it didn't do so at idle and even around the neighborhood (under 25MPH) it was fine. But nail the gas or try to accelerate past 30MPH or so and it was misfiring like crazy.

I decided to go grab an OBD2 reader (had wanted one for a while) and I pulled P0302 off of it.

Now, this car has had some work in the past. I actually just grabbed the paperwork:

June 2005 - 87,5xx the car was overheating. Thermostat and Head gasket changed, resurfaced head. EGR valve was cleaned out.

November 2006 - 103,351 - Radiator busted. Either caused or was caused by overheating but was caught quickly. Replaced radiator.

September 2007 - 115,177 car had P0420, P0171 codes. Catalytic converter was replaced. Also found a crack in air intake boot. That was replaced as well. Air induction system was cleaned including throttle body, air intake, fuel injectors and intake valves (I'm getting this stuff right off the receipt).

In any case, I was thinking about buying the coil packs and seeing if it would be a quick repair but Autozone now has them for $98. I think I might just take it to my mechanic so they can do the diagnostics. I can do the mechanical stuff but the electronic (ignition) stuff I do not thave the knowledge or tools for. I think it may very well be cheaper to let them spend a couple hours diagnosing and then do the repairs myself.

I'm also afraid that maybe it's a more severe problem, such as a bad cylinder. Since the car has overheated twice I worry about the internals. I don't want to throw a bunch of money in parts only to find that it's something more major.

I will keep you all posted. I may at least clean the EGR valve before taking it in, but I see that many of you have general misfire codes. I need to clear mine and see if it will throw the same code. If it does, it seems that could be a good (coil) or bad (cylinder) sign.

Any additional thoughts, guys? Also, can someone link me to the EGR valve cleaning document?

Thanks!


AND I just realized this is in the 2.0 section. Ooops. Maybe it doesn't matter? Lol
 
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Ehh, I know I posted this in the wrong section. I will also post in the 1.6 section. BUT WAIT! There is a lesson to be learned. Start with the cheap stuff. I stopped by autozone after work today. I was thinking about picking up one coil so I could test. They didn't have it in stock so I decided I'd just go home and check the plugs....

IMG_0780.JPG


...And ran back to autozone to by new plugs.

Seems my problem is fixed now. Those old ones were shot. Surprised they were still kickin at all. Gap was .090+ on all of them. I started to bend that last plug back into spec and clean it up but realized I just needed new ones. Installed the new ones, and took it for a 20 min spin with no problems. Prior to this it was acting up right away with an mid-wide open throttle. Did all that, 70+MPH.. not one glitch. I hope I haven't spoken too soon.

In any case, glad I didn't take it to the shop right away :p
 
I hope that works for ya.
I changed my plugs, but the problem came back after 3k miles or so.
Got one of the coil packs changed...was only $18. Was thinking of doing the other coil pack, and new plug wires next.
 
18 dollar coil pack? Where?


Hope those parts get you all squared away. Here is my list so far.

Coil pack - I run the 1.8l coil on mine
Long reach plugs
Wires
Fuel filter
Fuel pump
Cleaned MAF, EGR, intake manny, TB, O2 Sensors
Seafoam in gas tank
New CAI and filter
Timing belt, idler, and tensioner - this did help a bit as the tensioner spring was shot.



Literally the only thing left is the high pressure fuel filter, inside the fuel pump assembly.

:(
 
Hey guys, here comes another!

Now, this car has had some work in the past. I actually just grabbed the paperwork:

June 2005 - 87,5xx the car was overheating. Thermostat and Head gasket changed, resurfaced head. EGR valve was cleaned out.

September 2007 - 115,177 car had P0420, P0171 codes. Catalytic converter was replaced. Also found a crack in air intake boot. That was replaced as well. Air induction system was cleaned including throttle body, air intake, fuel injectors and intake valves (I'm getting this stuff right off the receipt)

AND I just realized this is in the 2.0 section. Ooops. Maybe it doesn't matter? Lol

I'm glad your problem is fixed, but if not, you can keep reading. First off, I think your problem in September '07 was more likely an exhaust leak or a bad O2 sensor rather than a bad cat given the codes, but that's history now so I'm not gonna comment on that.

As for your P0302 code, a bad coil probably wouldn't cause a misfire in only 1 cylinder. It could be an intake manifold gasket leak, a bad fuel injector in that cylinder, bad spark plugs, or a bad spark plug wire. The other possibility that is in my service manual I'm only going to mention because you said you had your head gasket replaced.

It says that poor sealing of the head gasket on the cylinder head can cause air leaks and sometimes a loss of compression, causing a misfire. I just think that there is a good opportunity for a connection here between your head gasket replacement and your misfire, so I would definitely have that up at the top of my list.

The EGR "How-To" page is here:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94788
 
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I've also changed my intake manifold gasket.
That's what the dealer came up with when they did a diagnostic test.
 
i was missing once in a great while...
put in new coilpacks from rockauto and it feels like a new car again
 
808MP5... which coil packs did you get from rockauto? Standard Motor Products or Airtex? Not that it makes any difference... I'm just curious. I'm also assuming they are sold individually so you have to order 2?
 
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808MP5... which coil packs did you get from rockauto? Standard Motor Products or Airtex? Not that it makes any difference... I'm just curious. I'm also assuming they are sold individually so you have to order 2?


Either is fine. Be sure to chose the one that doesn't say any kind of business day delay beyond 3 days. That means that it is out of stock.
Use this code: 14406931116418 to get 5% off. It expires 04/12/2009.

You will need two of them.
 
Either is fine. Be sure to chose the one that doesn't say any kind of business day delay beyond 3 days. That means that it is out of stock.
Use this code: 14406931116418 to get 5% off. It expires 04/12/2009.

You will need two of them.
So does anyone know why the AC Delco coil for the 1.8L is 1/3 to 1/4 the price of the others? That's tempting to order for the conversion but scary since it is so cheap compared to the others.
 
So does anyone know why the AC Delco coil for the 1.8L is 1/3 to 1/4 the price of the others? That's tempting to order for the conversion but scary since it is so cheap compared to the others.

Dang, go for those coils. I tried visiting the ACDelco website, and they had it priced at $160 for me there. I think you just stumbled upon a killer deal.
 
So does anyone know why the AC Delco coil for the 1.8L is 1/3 to 1/4 the price of the others? That's tempting to order for the conversion but scary since it is so cheap compared to the others.


I have had each and couldn't tell a difference. I run the 1.8l coil conversion now and like it much better. The coil is more reliable and doesn't crap out on you in the fall. Seemed mine would work for a coupl years and then the first really cold day they would die.
 
please help

i have a 2001 automatic mazda protege i love my car to death never really had a problem with it until now. i called the dealership to ask them what they thought the problem was they wouldnt answer. so im here now asking for help from you all im a girl and i have no clue what i need to do. my check engine light came on sat and i changed the air filter sun evening in my car the check engine light went off now its back on again. i took my car to advance and they said it was a misfire issue with the ignition that it could be sparks and coil pack and wires that need to be replaced is this correct you think? how many coil packs does a mazda protege take? please help i dont wanna pay a arm and a leg just to fix this car thanks in advance for the advice.
 
i have a 2001 automatic mazda protege i love my car to death never really had a problem with it until now. i called the dealership to ask them what they thought the problem was they wouldnt answer. so im here now asking for help from you all im a girl and i have no clue what i need to do. my check engine light came on sat and i changed the air filter sun evening in my car the check engine light went off now its back on again. i took my car to advance and they said it was a misfire issue with the ignition that it could be sparks and coil pack and wires that need to be replaced is this correct you think? how many coil packs does a mazda protege take? please help i dont wanna pay a arm and a leg just to fix this car thanks in advance for the advice.

It takes 2 coil packs total, and if you do plug wires (which I'm going to buy as soon as I make more money) you need two total. They usually come in packs of 2.
 
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i have a 2001 automatic mazda protege i love my car to death never really had a problem with it until now. i called the dealership to ask them what they thought the problem was they wouldnt answer. so im here now asking for help from you all im a girl and i have no clue what i need to do. my check engine light came on sat and i changed the air filter sun evening in my car the check engine light went off now its back on again. i took my car to advance and they said it was a misfire issue with the ignition that it could be sparks and coil pack and wires that need to be replaced is this correct you think? how many coil packs does a mazda protege take? please help i dont wanna pay a arm and a leg just to fix this car thanks in advance for the advice.

Ugh - I hate these huge run-on paragraphs with little to no punctuation. It makes it sound like someone trying to spit out everything without taking a breath.

On a more on-topic subject, blueamcat, there are only two plug wires besides the two ignition coils. Or did you mean those things added together equal four? Basically, for a complete ignition tuneup you need:

- 2 ignition coils
- 2 spark plug wires (one is really long and one is really short)
- 4 spark plugs (go with NGK brand plugs - the best in my opinion)
 
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