Idle/stalling problem on '93 LX
 

Hi all! My g/f's Protege has developed a problem over the past few days, where the idle will not remain consistent. It usually just jumps around between 400 and 600rpms or so, but once in awhile the car does stall out completely. It recently had a major tune-up (new plugs, wires, fuel/air filter, O2 sensor) using only genuine Mazda parts ($$$$, but worth it), so that eliminates most of the "usual suspects." I am thinking it is an idle air control issue of some sort, but we want to get an idea of what exactly it might be (and how much it is going to cost) before taking it to a mechanic. I'm not sure if it is related, but the car also has a faint fuel smell that enters the cabin randomly, both while being driven and while idling. Fuel economy hasn't seemed to worsen since this behavior started.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

My Protege too idles low sometimes, but never stalls completely..
I put some injection cleaner recently, but it still does it......try it...
it might work for you.....
for the smell.....I get that too, but I think it's because when I change the oil it sometimes leaks onto the exhaust tubing and then it burns from there.......

guys, could it be a cracked air intake 'hose'??

there's been a few threads about 'stalling engines' over the past 30+ days where this was the problemo...

not on my car............changed it a few months ago and it's brand new....

Like the new sig pic Jesse, what kind of wheels you running now?

From previous threads, some have said that it is a problem with the coolant sensor. Go to the MAzda dealer and have them check out all the sensors...make sure they are not broken.

Thanks for the info, guys! I will try and check her car out this weekend to see if any of the stuff you've mentioned is amiss. :D

I've had the same problem in my car. I think the problem is that there's a crack or a hole in your air intake hose at some point between the air flow sensor and the throttle body. If you do have the hole in the hose, it's not outrageously expensive to replace. It cost me $65. At any rate, the problem sounds like a situation in which the engine is getting more air than it thinks it's getting.