STUBBORN Misfire ...

[ColinG]

I bought a 2001 Mazda protege ES last July and since I've had it it has this random misfiring problem while driving. It doesn't happen all the time ... maybe once or twice a week at first and now about once a day. It has also "hard started" (wouldn't start for anout 15 minutes to half an hour of trying) about four times since I got it.

I've since taken it in to the dealer who diagnosed it as needing a new EGR valve, fuel flush and new plugs. Got mechanic to do it (you know how much the daelership charges!) and guess what? SAME PROBLEM. Took it to another mechanic that I was recommended to and he did a diagnostic check which revealed the same diagnosis. ("random misfiring"). He suggested that we change the leads ... did that ... same problem.

Now at my wits end as to what it may be ... mechanic seems to be kinda puzzeled as well (strange ... shouldn't HE know?? (huh) )

Anyway, just wondering if anyone out there might have experienced this and what they did to fix it? HELP! (bang)

 

[BlackLion]

Same problems here... (confused)

I have an 02 Protege ES with about 85k. Mine started running choppy a few times a week and I noticed it was only when my tank was down about 1/3 full or less. I had a friend check out the codes and it was showing a missfire. The wires looked good so I just changed the plugs (NGK Iridium IX). Now it starts missfiring when it gets to about 1/2 a tank of less. I have had a couple people tell me I could be the fuel pump losing pumping pressure or even dirty injectors. I will hopefully be able to take it in to my wife's uncle's import shop this coming Friday (11-11-05). We are going to run a fuel pressure test (I think) and hopefully I will have some info on the causes. I haven't had much touble getting it started but I have had it idle REALLY low when it first starts...less than 500 RPMs.

 

[25FConv]

I had the same problem....

i had the same misfiring problem with my 2003 es 2.0.......i ran my codes and i kept gettin a misfire in cylinder 4. so i changed my spark plugs and maybe a few months later same thing....and then the same thing. i think it may have happened cause when i gapped my spark plugs i may have gapped them too far....not sure....then the last time it happened the pin in the egr valve wasnt closing right so that may have cause the misfires as well due to insuffiecient exhaust flow.....so i ended up changing my egr valve, i cleaned me fuel injectors
(flushing all the carbon build-up out) and i changed my spark plugs as well. also i upgraded my gas from regular (87) to super (93) cause obviosly the higher grade of the gas the cleaner the fuel burns. so ever sincve then i havent really had a problem. you can try giving that a try. hopefully it works for you like it worked for me. let me know how it goes.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

what about the wires and coilpacks? perhaps even a faulty ecu...

 

[25FConv]

yeh true that could be something else to check. it wasnt an issue with mine but i do plan on changing thos this week actually. i will let you know if there is a difference captain.

what about the wires and coilpacks? perhaps even a faulty ecu...

 

[Captain KRM P5]

its a thought though admittedly i have rarely heard of a coilpack going bad

 

[25FConv]

yeh my coild pakcs i checked today. they seemed like new...well after i cleaned up but still noproblem there.

its a thought though admittedly i have rarely heard of a coilpack going bad

 

[Kooldino]

Colin - do you have any mods done to the car? If so, what?

Have you had your injectors cleaned?

 

[solid_snake2x]

I don't know if this helps but I got a random missfire code about a month ago and it started to happen once a week and sometimes it went away but it will come back days later. Well I went and replace my coil paks($110 each) and a month later no problem no check engine codes.
good luck

PS: the dealership were I got it from said that the coils go bad even if they don't look bad.

 

[Diehonda]

Autozone can test the coils, but they have to run it several times because it might only hickup once in a blue moon. After a hickup yesterday, I may need to do the same. I am putting a can of seafoam in the gas tomorrow.

 

[gbacci]

Guys--I have a 2002 Protege ES 2.0--I have had it back to the mechanic several times because the CEL has been going on. Code says a random missfire. They change the plugs and set the timing and it is fine for about a week and then it comes back. I am an Attorney and I represent an Auto Shop in Geneva that specializes in racing. They just checked my Mazda and said that it most assurdly needs a new Ignition Coil. The IC will be installed on Monday-12/5/05--I will keep you all advised.

 

[Diehonda]

they run between 15 and 17 each at rockauto. I think I am going to go ahead and get a couple.

 

[Bijou-MP5]

any update?

 

[Diehonda]

I replaced my ignition coils but still have a low idle, about 525 or so. Still have a CEL too but no time to have it ran as of yet. Once I run it and see what is going on I will update further. The idle and misfire is better than before, the idle is just low. I am thinking gap but could end up with an all new thread.lol

 

[Brian MP5T]

Wow, It seems that the car is only good for 3 Years and then they all go to s***!

 

[Bijou-MP5]

I replaced my ignition coils but still have a low idle, about 525 or so. Still have a CEL too but no time to have it ran as of yet. Once I run it and see what is going on I will update further. The idle and misfire is better than before, the idle is just low. I am thinking gap but could end up with an all new thread.lol

were you able to get rid of low idle problem?

 

[boostisgood]

Wow, I was unaware you could set timing on an DIS car. Anyways, if your getting a low idle and a "random" misfire (would be code p0300) you got some serious issues.

If you value the car, dont take it to a "mom and pop garage" where the grease monkey is gonna look at it and tell ya to change the plugs. Your car needs Diagnosed by a performance tech.

 

[Diehonda]

Haven't been able to do anything yet. No misfire still though. I am going to check it out Sunday. As it is my next day off. Dang daylight savings time. Gets dark at 5:30. I will let you all know.

 

[Bijou-MP5]

Haven't been able to do anything yet. No misfire still though. I am going to check it out Sunday. As it is my next day off. Dang daylight savings time. Gets dark at 5:30. I will let you all know.

any good news?

 

[ebmp5]

i been having the same prob's as well the low idle the miss fire's and also my car ecu is saying it's running really rich!.

what i have done so far is taken it to mazda dealer they could not find anything as why it's doing this they also said i might have a faulty iac motor that might be causing the low idle.
also clean out the egr valve, replaced spark plug's .

i have not gotten the miss fire code for awhile now all the code's i get now are system to rich.

i have a MAM turbo setup and cannot boost cuz of my prob's i being having so if i finally find the prob. i'll post it up so everybody can fix there's if not found yet.

also i replaced the o2 but that did not work as well.