Help Help!

[Mr. X]

Hello to all my fellow Protege 5 owners,

I have a 2003 Protege 5. Love this car and am soon going to be modding it. However recently I've noticed that when I'm driving all of a sudden the car will jerk and the "AT" light starts flashing and the "check engine" light comes on. Once this happens, my gear will not shift. I have a automatic. Does this mean that my transmission is going bad? My dad took it to a local mechanic and he said that its a sensor. Now this happens randomly...some days it will come on all of a sudden and other days its fine. I also notice that once the "AT" light finishes flashing with the check engine light still on, the car will shift fine afterward.

I've heard that problems regarding the EGR valve...do you think it could be this? I've never replaced the spark plugs so I was thinking of doing that next. I've done so much research but no luck and then thought this would be the best place to ask my question. Has anyone ever experience this, and if so, what did you do? Should I be worried? I've had the car for several years but now have the itch to mod it. If it deals with the transmission and me having to change it, then looks like I'll have to just wait with the modding:-(

Any help would be most appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[canadian357]

It might be a TPS... my brother's CR-V has the same symptoms and thats what it is. I doubt it would be an EGR or plugs. What's the code it's putting out?

 

[Mr. X]

Hey Canadian,

Thanks for the reply. What is TPS? I haven't had the chance to get the code.

 

[canadian357]

It's a throttle position sensor. Its a little potentiometer. Basically it helps the computer adjust injector timing and from what I understand, on automatics, it has something to do with letting the trans know when to change gears (for example, when you floor it to pass someone)

 

[Rockin03mp5]

yeah, it is a transmission problem for sure. is there any other lights coming on? sounds like your transmission is going into safe mode (stays in 3rd). mine did the same when i had a bad alternator.

 

[Mr. X]

Aside from the AT light flashing and then disappearing and the check engine light remaining on, no other lights come on. Should I change the throttle position sensor as per canadian357 recommended, or should i change the alternator as per rockin03mp5?

I don't know what to do:-( The car is great and has 127,000 miles on it. I was looking to mod it first by getting wheels (17x7 42 offset) and lowering her (don't know what springs to go with...any recommendations?)

 

[The ManLaw]

exactly what sensor did the dealership say it was? it almost sounds like your speed sensor wire is loose or something. if it is that then its an easy replace.

 

[Mr. X]

Hey ManLaw,

I'm not sure. My dad took it in. I'll have to ask him. I hope its not the transmission:-(

 

[Rockin03mp5]

Aside from the AT light flashing and then disappearing and the check engine light remaining on, no other lights come on. Should I change the throttle position sensor as per canadian357 recommended, or should i change the alternator as per rockin03mp5?

I don't know what to do:-( The car is great and has 127,000 miles on it. I was looking to mod it first by getting wheels (17x7 42 offset) and lowering her (don't know what springs to go with...any recommendations?)

the reason i asked about other lights was that when my "new" alternator was bad, the battery (charging system) light would come on and the transmission would lock into 3rd gear. so, if your isnt doing that, it sounds like a sensor, or like manlaw said, maybe a loose connection. these sort of electrical gremlins are tough.

 

[canadian357]

Don't replace anything until you have the code. The TPS will throw a code, something like P0121 or 0123 or something like that.

As for springs, Espelir (sp?) are good. You probably have to find them on the for sale section though. Eibach Pro-Kit and Tein s techs seem to be springs of choice. Good drop and ride quality. Megan racing springs are apparently REALLY stiff so probably stay away from them. The only other springs I'd consider are Goldlines, and you could get those for like $100 or less probably (used).

Good luck! I'm starting to get really addicted to my P5 too... my student loans are DEFINITELY not all going to school anymore.

 

[Mr. X]

Thanks for all the info. The AT light hasn't flashed in several days now and the check engine light hasn't come on as well. As soon as it does, I'll go and get the code.

 

[Mr. X]

Hello,

So I went to my local autozone and they looked up the code for me. I don't remember exactly what the code is but it dealt with the turbine speed sensor. Is this what you are talking about ManLaw? If its a quick fix, is it something that I can do or would I have to take it to the dealer?

Thanks for the help.

 

[The ManLaw]

um as far as i know it SHOULD be a quick fix. from what i understand you'll probably need a new sensor and maybe a new wire for it. shouldnt be too difficult if you can get your hands on a manual like chiltons

 

[Mr. X]

Thanks ManLaw,

I'm going to go buy the sensor today.

 

[Mr. X]

Hello all,

Just a update..I went ahead and bought the sensor (also known as the pulse generator) from onlinemazdaparts.com for about $63. Jason said it's a fairly easy install so I'm going to do it by myself. I hope this fixes the problem. Keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[The ManLaw]

good luck with it man! hope it does fix the problem lol

 

[sethro_GT]

good luck on the fix. Moral of the story: always read the codes. Speculation is cool and I'm down for shotgun repairs but my wallet isnt.

 

[Mr. X]

Thanks again guys. By the way, once the car is fixed I'm looking to upgrade my wheels and tires and then lower the car. The size of the wheel is 17x7 and the offset is 42. I'm going to get 205/40/17 size tires. After much research on this site (which is awesome), I'm going to go with Eibach springs. Currently I don't plan on changing the struts out, but if I have to, then I'll go with the Tokico HP blues since I hear that combo is awesome for the Protege 5.

Do you think I'll get any rubbing issues? I hope not as I don't want to add any spacers or anything like that.

 

[Rockin03mp5]

from what i know, (not from personal experience) you may need to roll the rear fenders with a 42 offset. however, you may be ok with the 205's.

 

[sethro_GT]

eibachs and tokico's are a good combo. You going to SCCA it? If so just change the struts, springs get you put into a higher class where the P5's low speed can't compete as well.