Questions and Answers

Mazda Protege Dies On The Road Q. Hello Vincent, My car has a very peculiar problem, which even mechanics have failed to rectify. It starts great when cold. Then after going 5 miles, the engine stops. Sometimes it happens while the vehicle is going 60 mph. It might start due to momentum immediately. Also, it stops frequently at the lights.

After 15 to 30 minutes it starts again. I also did this: I started the engine, and put it in drive while the hand brake and pedal brakes were on and also turned the A/C on, so the engine has some load on it, like while it is moving. I left if like that for 30 mins or so. It gave absolutely no problem. I check the tail pipe, no smoke there. The cooling system works fine (the fan turns on and off, the gauge is steady).

I had the following replaced about 6 months back: Battery, Alternator, Temperature sensor, water pump, timing belt, spark plugs and wires, distributor cap, air filter. I also had the fuel injection system cleaned.

Sometime back I topped the engine oil slightly above the full mark. Could that be the problem? But now it has burnt some of the oil and at the full mark. Any help is greatly appreciated.

• 1992 Mazda Protege
• 01.8 liter DOHC
• Automatic transmission
• 171,000 miles
• Fuel injection
• P/S, A/C, Cruise control

Regards,
Sasi

A. The first thing I would do is check the computer for codes. If there are codes stored we will have a starting place for troubleshooting.

If there are no codes, then we have to determine if it's a fuel problem, or ignition problem.

The next time it happens, pull a vacuum line off the intake manifold and spray some carburetor cleaner into the intake manifold. Then try and start it. If it starts and runs as long as there is carburetor cleaner in the engine, then we know it's a fuel problem. A fuel pressure test will confirm it.

If not, it's an ignition problem and we have to look at the ignition system. Most likely an ignition module. When they get hot, they will stop working. But when they cool off, they will start working again.

You can try that test again with the hood closed. Then tap on the distributor with a small hammer. If it dies, you know it's an ignition module.