SWADWEKAR

Hello Everyone,

I have MAzda Protege 1994 with 76000 miles on it. I recently changed the CV boot for the left side. SInce yesterday the car is hesitating while starting, its vibrating real bad and I wanted help from all of you in identifying the issue. I also noticed that the RPM goes up and down and the car shakes while this going on.
I dont know if it is O2 Sensor, or Fuel Filter or Electrical System . Please let me know your opinion. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks and Regards
Satish

SWADWEKAR

Guys I really need your help.

Thanks

sysopt

I doubt its the o2 because when the engine is cold it doesnt even bother trying to get a signal from it. Umm try to pick up more clues I guess.

SWADWEKAR

Thanks for your reply and time but I am trying to find some definite clue so I can get it fixed over the weekend.

Regards

robux1

did you happen to touch any wires on the engine? Are any check engine lights blinking? Please give more details

SWADWEKAR

Thanks for the reply. I have not touched anything but the autoshop replaced CV boot on the driver side. The surprising part is there is a strange sound coming from the exhaust area and its shaking real bad. Once the car starts and driven for a mile or so everything becomes normal. When the car stops on a stop sign or light then I experience the hesatation again. I hope it helps. I am still trying to find out all the symptons so I can provide more information. No check engine light is blinking.

sysopt

Check for a vacuum leak (hear any hissing?) and if the parts of the ignition are old(15k+ for plugs, 30k+ for the rest), I would suggest doing a tune-up (plugs, wires, cap, rotor).

SWADWEKAR

I had the tune up done when car had 60000 Miles on it. Now it is 76000. May be I need to replace the plugs. I will also check rotor and cap. How do I check vaccume leaks?.

Thanks and Best regards

robux1

if you replace the plugs, use NGK Coppers. dont use anything else

raldo_gtm

Is it a Manual Tranny?

SWADWEKAR

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the replies and help. I finally decided to give it to a local shop because I had lot of stuff going on at work and could not find time to do it . But I will still like to thank all of you.

Best Regards
Satish

SWADWEKAR

Hello Everyone,

I took the car to the shop, the mechanic over there checked spark plugs, wires, rotor and distributor cap. According to him he can not figure it out. He asked me to take it to the dealer.

Please provide your opinion about what I should do next. The car is hesitating a lot on stop signs and lights.

Thanks a lot

raldo_gtm

Does your car still shake? Need more info about the car and describe more of the problems also more info about Model, Engine, Trans...etc..

SWADWEKAR

Yes it still is shaking and the thumping is more at the bottom of the car and not in the engine from what I can tell. Here are all the details.

Model : Mazda Protege DX
Trans : Automatic
Miles : 765000
Year : 1994

Initially my wife noticed that the car kinda lopes or hestitates while starting. It also happened while starting from a stop sign or light. The I looked under the hood and did following

1) Check Spark plugs - No problems
2) spark plug wires - No problems
3) Vaccume hoses - The intake hose was real loose so I tightend it up well
4) Cleaned throttle and PCV valve.

It still did not stop so took it to a shop. He could not find anything and recommened to take it to a dealer.

Thanks

sysopt

Your mechanic sounds fairly incompetent, I would suggest finding another one. What color were the plugs? This can indicate a rich or lean condition. While the engine is running you can pull off a plug wire one at a time and notice how much the rpm's drop (careful, high voltage). If the rpm's drop very noticeably that cylinder is probably alright; if it doesnt change at all or hardly changes you've narrowed down the problem. Try that and post back.