Non-starting/Rough idle/CEL: 2001 Protege LX 2.0L

I have a 2001 Protege LX 2.0L. I was having an issue with rough idle adn CEL. I searched these forums and quickly discovered the issue might be related to EGR valve, so I replace it with a brand new one. Everything worked well for about a month. Now, however, i have a CEL, with rough idle WHILE I am driving. This is definitely happening more on the highway. I will be doing 70 mph, and the engine will bog down alot. Depressing the accelerator doesn't have any effect. The rpms do not drop all the way down, maybe 2000 or so, and this lasts for about 5 to ten seconds, until I regain the rpms. Immediately after I regain full power, the CEL starts blinking and remains blinking until I turn off the car.

I do not believe this is the EGR valve because my car sometimes will not start at all. I will depress the clutch and turn the key, and the engine will try to turn over, but it never does. Once, about two months ago, I tried to start my car, and nothing happened at all, it was as if the clutch was not depressed at all (but this only happened that single time.) My car will not start (although it tries to) for about 30 minutes or so, and then i try again and it starts right up immediately. This non-starting happens about once per week, or every 20 to 25 start attempts.

My dad and I have been asking around and most people say that it could very well be the fuel pump. Maybe it malfunctions sometimes, I don't know. I have also made the mistake several times of running the gas tank very low, so maybe something is clogged with a little bit of dirt from the gas tank (i'll never do that again.)

Anyway, do you guys have any ideas? I apologize for the very long post, but this issue is very aggreviating. I appreciate your responses.

David
 
Did you ever pull the cel code? that would help immensely in diagnosing the problem. I'm with fudgie...sounds like bad coils to me, esp if the egr is brand new...
 
still throwing a CEL

ok, I have replaced the coil packs and just in case I have also replaced the fuel pump relay. now, I do not have any power issues (I would lose power while driving) and my car starts fine. however, I am still pulling a CEL. sometimes the CEL flashes. maybe it has something to do with the oxygen sensor either before or after the catalytic convertor.

what do you guys think?
 
go to autozone and have them pull the CEL Codes youll probably get a P0300 and P0421

P0300 is random misfire
P0421 is a low threshold for the cat and it warming up and crap.

im having hte same issue.

Im going to try cleaning the EGR and getting a Cat cleaner to see if that works.

I changed my O2s and coils, plugs etc.... its not as bad but its still there.

Im goign to reset the thing and with the warmer weather it might go away.
 
i would agree with the coils. the car sounds like it is having iginition issues', does it stumble at idle? these damn cars dont have a distributor, so i would deffinately look towards the coil's and or maf sensor
 

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