William35453
Member
hi, i'm new to the forum but have been reading a few weeks. i'm a fair mechanic, but raised up on older cars before computers (rebuilt my first flathead ford v8 when i was 14 years old) and a little confused in diagnosing all the sensors on the new cars and don't understand when folks use abbreviations like MAF(?).i have just gotten one of those dream deals (maybe!?) at a good price--a 1995 mazda protege dx that really was owned by a little old granny lady (one owner). it only has 42K miles on it and i have all service records (new drive axles a few years back; new tires; AC will freeze you). trouble is, after she passed, the relatives have let it set up a few years. they did crank and run it occasionally, but not for last 6 months and battery was dead. i cranked it up and it would not idle. cleaned EGR valve, installed new fuel filter and air filter, cleaned plugs and have run 3 cans of injector cleaner through it. disconnected neg bat lead and applied brakes to reset. car runs better now and will idle, but on road it will jump and lurch when speed is *held steady*. will run fine when accelerating and decelerating, plenty of pep, but when you hold a steady speed it lurches until give it the gas and then smooths out again. oh yeah, gets only 7 mpg!!! exhaust is blue and very rich. The vacuum EGR valve was between the engine and firewall, but there is also a solenoid assembly under the throttle body-- what is this? i've seen some descriptions of the EGR being there, and wonder if this needs disassembly and cleaning. but will have to remove the throttle body to remove it. any clues what to look at next? air flow sensor? oh yeah, strangely, NO check engine light on, but does come on as normal when key turned to "on". all help appreciated! yours, William
