Ugh. Another Mazda issue

[TitanVintaStang]

Well, I posted about a thermostat and brake sensor problem. Now, my fiance's car turns off at a stop light/stop sign for no reason. Then, after a couple seconds, she is able to restart the car and drive with no issues. Anybody ever run into this? Battery connections/electrical connections are all in tact tight.

 

[mazdadude]

Well, I posted about a thermostat and brake sensor problem. Now, my fiance's car turns off at a stop light/stop sign for no reason. Then, after a couple seconds, she is able to restart the car and drive with no issues. Anybody ever run into this? Battery connections/electrical connections are all in tact tight.

What kind of car is your Fiance's? I imagine it is a Mazda also, but the year make model would help us help you.

 

[TitanVintaStang]

Mazda5 also. I guess she was reading up on a couple sites that there's some issue with the throttle body?? Something about cleaning it out?? I've read some people with 3's had the same issue.

 

[flcruising]

Is there a stall or stutter prior to shutting off?

I would start by cleaning the TB like you suspect, and also check vacuum lines and the charging system.

 

[TitanVintaStang]

Nah. Just literally EVERYTHING shuts off and for a couple seconds, it's back to normal. Like I said, EVERY connection is on tight and 2 websites just indicated about some gunk in the throttle body is doing this. Now I use to build Hondas for racing back in the late 90's, the computers back then were damn sure not so high quality as is today. Almost EVERYTHING is ran on computer, including the damn oil filter. LOL So because of the gunk in it possibly, the ecu is just going mad crazy and making the engine just shut off. Sucks it's going to rain this weekend. No opportunity to check it out.

 

[Robotazky]

Surely it's throwing some codes right? Have you scanned it?

 

[TitanVintaStang]

Yea. No codes for this issue.

 

[flcruising]

By EVERYTHING, are you saying that the radio shuts off as well?
When it stalls, do the instrument cluster indicator lights go off?

 

[TitanVintaStang]

Yea. It's odd, but only for like a minute. There's even times when the car drives perfect. I've read other Mazda forums with other Mazdas with people saying the same thing with their cars as well.

 

[flcruising]

Yea, what?
Does the radio shut off? Are any indicator lights (the ones that light up when you turn the key to RUN) illuminated?
This is important information to know whether it's strictly engine related or complete vehicle power is interrupted.

 

[TitanVintaStang]

lol You questioned my answer to your question! lol


BUT, just to make it more clear for you, YES, EVERYTHING shuts off.

Even though it's not a 5, someone posted this for their MAzda3 with the same issue:



Re: Replaced Battery Car...Car Stalls at Stops
Reply #11 on: October 15, 2009, 11:56:16 am
Just got the car back from the dealer. It was a badly carbon encrusted throttle body that needed cleaning. Seems the T/B in the Mz3 gets dirty easily as it's covered in a TSB from earlier this year. The service guy said replacing the battery reset the computer and it could never adjust to the problem.

The mechanic re-flashed the computer just to be safe, pulled the T/B and cleaned it well. Idle is back to normal now, idles even smoother than before. Total cost out the door was $95 including sales tax/shop fees. BTW, the car has 43,000 miles on it. Never knew the throttle body in a car can get that gunked up in 5 yrs.

The service guy also recommended running either Shell or BP gasoline in it as he says they've got the best additive package among gas stations (Raleigh, NC) and that will delay when this happens again.
Last Edit: October 15, 2009, 12:13:08 pm by tnmats


Just weird how a throttle body being dirty can contribute to an electrical failure.

 

[Davicho]

The reason why this could be an issue is because when one replaces the battery or the battery goes completely dead and it is fully re-charged the ECM resets and once the fully charged battery is back in place it goes into an idle learn procedure to adjust to preset parameters. If the TB is hunky and dirty the flap will not be at it full close position and could throw off the readings from the throttle position sensor to the ECM. So it is possible that a plain dirty TB could be the culprit here. Take off the induction hose and clean up your TB and see if that fixes your problem.

 

[TitanVintaStang]

Cool. Thanks D. The whole time I use to work on Hondas, I've NEVER ran into problems like this. I guess with all the new upgrade electrical stuff car manufactures make now, one little thing can screw EVERYTHING up. Gonna check on it once this last storm goes by us.

 

[flcruising]

I'm glad I amuse you.

Just to be clear, since EVERYTHING shuts off, this is NOT an engine related issue, but ELECTRICAL.

If all you had were engine stalling, then I would say again that it's probably the t/b. BUT, the engine turning off has nothing to do with power to whole vehicle. BIG CLUE!

 

[TitanVintaStang]

Think I already know that. Been building imports in the past and muscle cars presently for a long time. I'm PREEEETTY sure I can tell electrical from mechanical. But thanks for your 2 cents on the issue.

Hey D. You have a CX-9?? Curious how do you like it?? I'm GOING to sell my Titan and get either cx-9 or cx-7.

 

[flcruising]

Seems to me we're still unclear about what EVERYTHING represents.

Good luck with your fix...

 

[Davicho]

Titan, I love my CX9. Best CUV out there. It drives like a sporty car yet carries 7 passengers without a sweat. She is covered up and asleep most of the time unless we have a long trip with some luggage. I do run it once a week to keep it healthy.

 

[TitanVintaStang]

Right on D. I just got a new job that requires going back and forth from different sides of the town so my Titan is definitely not going to save me some gas. Definitely look into that cx-9.

 

[Silentnoise713]

So did you actually experience the issue or going by what your fiance said (need more detail)?

Do you know what kind of behavior the car exhibited right b4 it stalled (jerking, idling funny, lights going in/out)?
During the couple of seconds before restarting, are you able to use any electrical components in ACC? What happens when you try to crank it (starter turnig or not)?
Do you know car's history (hope it was not a flooded car or you are in store for more fun)?

 

[bazooka joe]

check the ground wire