engine hesitation Mazda P5

[CmazdaX9]

Hello , I am wondering if someone can help me with this problem.I'm having engine hesitation .I noticed it happens randomly either at hwy speeds or on idle .its a 2003 protege 5.it just happens every so often.its like a buck or jerk ,just slightly.Not sure if thats enough info but its all i have to start .thanks so much for help

 

[zoom zoom sp20]

Might be your coils or it might be your wires or spark plugs.

Also EGR might need a clean but it will most likely be your coils.

 

[CmazdaX9]

thanks Zoom Zoom will look into that,I had new plugs installed bought new wires but havent done that yet so will do that and see thx a million , guess will go from there , oh by the way if its the coil how do I determine that it is , is there a way to test it.

 

[zoom zoom sp20]

If you know someone with a P5 just take out there set and put them into yours and go for a drive.
Or you can just buy a new set from rockauto http://www.rockauto.com/

 

[CmazdaX9]

this question is for someone who has the time to answer ,hope I'm not to much of a bother ,I looked on rock auto and they have a number of coils, which one would be for my car and how many do i need ,4 i assume.Sorry I'm not to familiar with this car,my other car is a chev malibu it has coils but seems to be a diff set up.Thx Alex

 

[zoom zoom sp20]

2 coils mate

Look at what bigpturgeon posted, i read your post too fast mate sorry.

 

[bigpturgeon]

you just need 2 of these http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=2413352&cc=1416833

 

[McC14mp]

I had the same problem about a week ago, turned out to be the left side coil pack, but I recommend you replace both at the same time. I also changed my plugs while i was at it.

 

[CmazdaX9]

Thanks for help I'm still addressing the problem will let you know how things work out,while we're on the subject my other problem is that my car doesn't start many times when it is in park ,I have to put it in neutral is that a common problem with these cars.

 

[n2stox]

when my coils went bad, the CEL came on flashing and it was not "slight." car barely drove.

I had a similar hesitation. thought it was the PCV valve, turned out to be plugs. Start with the easy stuff. My symptoms were: at highway speeds over 40, when going to accelerate in 4th or 5th gear, there was a slight blip in power loss. then over the next few days, it got worse. what this told me is that it was a "wear item" meaning it can kind of work sometimes (coils, if I recall, when they go bad, they go bad, there is no "in the middle.")

 

[AzzA SP20]

when my coils went bad, the CEL came on flashing and it was not "slight." car barely drove.

I had a similar hesitation. thought it was the PCV valve, turned out to be plugs. Start with the easy stuff. My symptoms were: at highway speeds over 40, when going to accelerate in 4th or 5th gear, there was a slight blip in power loss. then over the next few days, it got worse. what this told me is that it was a "wear item" meaning it can kind of work sometimes (coils, if I recall, when they go bad, they go bad, there is no "in the middle.")

coil packs can easily break down to give a weaker spark.

that comment about "they either work or they don't" is an extremely common misconception about coil packs (and fuel pumps for that matter).

they can and do deteriorate with age, and do not perform the same as they did when they were new.
when coil packs deteriorate the spark produced becomes weaker and weaker.
leading to issues with detonation, lack of power, hesitation in power, increased fuel consumption and a miss on load or at a particular rpm point relative to the load.

first steps... replace spark plugs and spark plug leads, inspect Intake pipe for cracks around the ribbed area, clean AFM whilst there, and I suppose EGR and throttle body couldn't hurt either.

if the issue is still there then replace your packs.

driving your car with not so good coils with possible detonation and a miss etc will destroy your Cat converter too... so keep that in mind

 

[Tamn]

Mine did that just before the coil packs died. It got progressively worse.

 

[CmazdaX9]

thanks everyone for help ,I'm just trying to find the time to work on car,but will keep in touch,while were at it my electric door locks on driver door and rear door doesn't work is it a worn out item or can it be fixed .Thanks so much

 

[Installshield 2]

coil packs can easily break down to give a weaker spark.

that comment about "they either work or they don't" is an extremely common misconception about coil packs (and fuel pumps for that matter).

they can and do deteriorate with age, and do not perform the same as they did when they were new.
when coil packs deteriorate the spark produced becomes weaker and weaker.
leading to issues with detonation, lack of power, hesitation in power, increased fuel consumption and a miss on load or at a particular rpm point relative to the load.

first steps... replace spark plugs and spark plug leads, inspect Intake pipe for cracks around the ribbed area, clean AFM whilst there, and I suppose EGR and throttle body couldn't hurt either.

if the issue is still there then replace your packs.

driving your car with not so good coils with possible detonation and a miss etc will destroy your Cat converter too... so keep that in mind

great post, man...

Testing a coil is nearly pointless, for reasons this guy just mentioned...They will shat the bed in numerous different ways...My case started out as a noticeable jerking at highway speed until i'd let off the gas and let the rpm fall to idle with the clutch in...then all was normal for another few weeks...eventually, it got to where the car was 100% undriveable when the missing started...not a 'hesitation', not a 'bucking'...it might as well had a hampster on a wheel under the hood...

Mine tested out just fine too...as when they were working, everything was great...I later determined that the insulating seat of one coil had deteriorated to the point where the ignitor would short out and arc to the valve cover...but only at certain times...

replaced both coils...not a single miss since...but i promise, a dead coil is rarely an 'on/off' situation...they'll go into death rolls for months for some people...and it makes it extremely annoying to diagnos...

 

[zoom zoom sp20]

Azza knows alot about cars

 

[CmazdaX9]

I was wondering if anyone would know if a dirty battery terminal with acid build up could affect the electrics to cause the car to hesitate,the reason I ask is that I had to clean my terminals because of this problem. Prior to cleaning it the car was not starting very well.I took the car for a short drive and didn't notice any hesitation that has been happening. Thanks

 

[AzzA SP20]

I was wondering if anyone would know if a dirty battery terminal with acid build up could affect the electrics to cause the car to hesitate,the reason I ask is that I had to clean my terminals because of this problem. Prior to cleaning it the car was not starting very well.I took the car for a short drive and didn't notice any hesitation that has been happening. Thanks

yes... bad earthing system (and supply for that matter) can lead to all sorts of weird and wonderful side effects, the actual effects can vary from car to car.
really depend on how bad/ extreme the corrosion and build up is.

Long story short... yes its quite possible... and is usually something that always gets overlooked.

 

[Installshield 2]

yeah, overall a car is mostly electrical...it burns oxygen and gasoline, but the electrical system has to make that happen...the coils and injectors themselves get extremely weird when current isn't quite what its supposed to be...and for the most part, a 'global' electrical problem is not something the ecu is designed to diagnos...its more looking out for localized shorts, and things like that...not bad grounds for the entire system...

 

[CmazdaX9]

well guys drove to work today and still hesitates so back to coils as suspect .thanks all. Alex

 

[rit14623]

well guys drove to work today and still hesitates so back to coils as suspect .thanks all. Alex

How many miles/km are on your car? Have you ever cleaned/replaced the EGR valve?