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Mazda Protege Repair Questions and Answers

Question: 1993 Mazda Protégé  mileage: 150,000. I brought the car in for servicing because it was running rough, it was not stalling and it had been starting fine. Was told it was in need of a tune-up & fuel injection system clean-up. The day after this service was performed the car started stalling intermittently and at times hesitated when I needed to accelerate. Tried dry gas and filled my tank with a good premium detergent gas, but problem persisted. I then realized I was stalling when I was making right hand turns only. The car would not stall when I made left hand turns. I have brought the car back for servicing and the garage can't find the problem. After the garage checked the fuel system, they started searching for a loose wire that is pulled on when making a right hand turn causing the car to stall. They now say they can't find the problem and is giving up on it. The car is in excellent shape for the year and mileage - to soon to give up. Any suggestions?

Answer: Your problem is probably caused by a torn rubber air intake boot that flexes when the engine leans as you make a right turn.

Question: 2002 Mazda Protégé mileage: 17,000. After re-fueling, my check engine light stayed on and the O/D light was flashing. I stopped, shut off and restarted the car and just the check engine light remained on. I re-seated the gas cap, to no avail. I was running on fumes before refilling; it took 14.2 gallons in a 14 gallon tank. Is there a reset button/procedure somewhere?

Answer: Once the check engine light comes on due to a loose or missing gas cap, the computer must be reset with OBD-2 scanner after the cap is re-secured.

Question: 1995 Mazda Protégé mileage: 72,000. This is embarrassing. When I went to jumpstart my wife's car, I accidentally hooked up the cable wrong. This resulted in cross polarity, which melted the negative battery terminal right off the "bad" battery. I've had a new battery and battery terminal installed and the car seems to be running fine. However, the radio no longer works. I've checked the radio fuse in the fuse box, and it is fine. Is there anything else I can check or did I fry my radio during the cross polarity?

Answer: Don't be embarrassed. You aren't the only one who has made this mistake. It is possible that you did "fry" it. However, it is more likely that your radio has an anti-theft devise built into it. When a battery is disconnected, the dealer must reset the radio.

Question: 1994 Mazda Protégé mileage: 97,000. I have what seems to be rocker arm noise. Can I adjust them like a hydraulic Chevy?

Answer: Check the valve train for wear. If it looks okay, you may have to replace the hydraulic lifters, as they are not adjustable like a Chevrolet.

Question: 1999 Mazda Protégé  mileage: 18,000. 1999 Mazda Protégé 1.6L, 18000KM. Just had 16000KM service done and asked them (service guys) to look into an Acceleration Rattle. Since then they have checked the heat shields, replaced the Catalytic Converter and the Catalyst. It is only during acceleration (at any speed). Sounds like marbles bouncing around or pinging. Any additional ideas that I could have them look into?

Answer: That sounds like a low octane gas or your timing is too far advanced and it is pinging.

Question:  1993 Mazda Protégé 1.8 DOHC mileage: 110,200.  The timing belt stripped.  I bought a repair manual and aligned the timing marks as required, attempted to start the car but it would not start.  A relative told me that the head was no good now as the pistons bent the valves.  The Mazda dealership mechanic said that my motor is a non-interference motor and the valves should be fine.  I even was allowed to copy the timing procedure from their repair manual.  Their procedure is the same one I followed in the Haynes repair manual I had bought which brings me back to square one!  Is there a flaw in the manual I was not told about or am I timing it incorrectly?   Please help!  Thank you!

Answer:    Try checking the compression; that will tell you if the valves are bent.  Also, check for spark at the proper time.

Question:  1991 Mazda Protégé  mileage: 90,800.   I started the car and was going from the parking lot to the road. There was a clicking sound when I used gas pedal.  When I stopped to make a turn the engine was shut off and at first, I couldn't start it.  After successful start, the problem occurred once more, and then the car was going well.  What kind of problem could it be?

Answer:    It sounds like your have a fuel pump that is failing. It should be changed every 60,000 miles along with the timing belt and water pump.



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