Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-90, 91-105, 106-120, 121-131
I have a mazda protege lx, 1999, and I just took it in after having recently purchasing it from a dealer. I have had it in the shop once, where they cleaned out the Mass air flow sensor, and they said I had carbon build up. after a few days, the light came back on. I am at achool, and really don't have time to keep running it back and forth. I would like to know what to tell the dealers service people so we can get this fixed correctly the second time. thanks.
You know I have actually have had a problem, or should I say some problems with my Protege. I have a 1999 Protege DX at transmission and like everyone else, the check engine light had come on. I had found out that the O2 sensor had gone bad. But I've had other problems I feel uncomfortable with.
The engine is pretty noisy when I put my foot all the way down on the peddle. It's good on gas, but why would anyone set the transmission with 3.5 @ 65mph? That's kind of odd. The speedometer reads that it can go about 140mph. So why at 4th gear it doesn't hit 140 and to top it off, it accelerates slower at about 90mph. Anyway enough of top speed, what about when I put my foot on the peddle softly the front wheels feel like it's spinning either that or the transmission is messed up or it could be the axle.
I mean don't get me wrong, the car is very roomy, even the biggest person can fit without problems, the brakes are strong. Another problem is when I stop completely, the car seems to jerk a little when I put the car in park. What's the deal?
To the comment above:
I feel silly in even responding to this, because it's obvious the wall would make a more receptive audience in an automotive discussion.
Of course the car slows down @ 90mph! You have a 1.6 litre 4 cylinder automatic! It's a wonder you can even reach 90mph. Most cars speedometers go higher than the cars actual capabilities, and, more importantly, the protege shares its speedometer with the 1.8 for this year which with a manual tranny, can probably make a run at 120. My 1993 DX automatic would go up to 118mph on a good day (stronger engine), so I have no doubt that a first generation LX manual would surpass that and more, onto 120-130 or so.
To your first comment: the engine gets louder when you floor it because the transmission is downshifting into a lower gear, thus raising the engine rpm's. Floor it at 45 mph, and you'll drop to second gear. Floor it at 80mph, and you'll downshift into 3rd.
To your second comment: 3500rpm @ 65 mph isn't right for a four speed automatic. That would indicate your car is in third gear, not fourth/overdrive. Either you have overdrive manually disabled, or your transmission isn't shifting into fourth.
To your third comment: if you can't tell the difference between tire spin and a slipping transmission, then sell your car immediately and start taking the bus. Note, a 1999 DX AT will not spin the tires anyway, unless on a wet or salted road. You'll be lucky to get a chirp.
To your final comment: are you referring to the short roll you get after releasing the brake while in park? all cars lean a little bit either forward or back, depending on the angle of the street, if the parking brake isn't applied. this is normal, but if you do park on angles, apply the parking brake before taking your foot off of the brake.
I've got the check engine light problem as well. I have the 1999 Protege LX. Reading these comments I've decided to just let the engine light RIDE (at least until its time to get my smog check/renew CA tags). Pep Boys took about 5 hours to come up with the problem. The P0171 code. I paid $169 to find out its the EGR Valve. Now they say the parts can only come from the dealership and the price for parts alone is $291 and some change. I've got 142K miles on it and its running fine. I assumed when I took it in this morning it would be something simple as a "fuse". Boy was I wrong! With California Emission laws so strict I have to get this bad baby fixed before its time to renew my tags again. Any one who is able to find a definite solution to making the "Check Engine Light" go away would definitely be a GOD! I'll mark this website as one of my "Favorites" and keep checking for that miracle fix. Wish me luck otherwise cause I'll prob. end up taking it to the dealership.
Just for information on the 1999 Protege:
TSB Number Issue Date TSB Title.
1. SSP056 FEB 02 Campaign - Mass Airflow Sensor Warranty Extension.
Service Bulletins.
TSB # Issue Date TSB Title.
1. 0200104 FEB 04 Suspension - Shock Absorber/Strut Replacement Guidelines
2. 0900403 DEC 03 A/C - Rear Defroster Grid Repair
3. 0901003 DEC 03 Audio System - No Sound From CD Player/Speakers
4. 0700103 MAY 03 A/C - Musty/Mildew Type Odors
5. 0800103 MAY 03 Air Bag System - Parts Replacement After Deployment
6. 0700402 APR 03 A/C - Musty/Mildew Odors
7. 0500299 APR 03 A/T - MIL/OD OFF Lamps ON/DTCP0705 Set/Erratic Shifts
8. 0901201 APR 03 Body - Power Door Lock Malfunctions
9. T01598 APR 03 Body - Unintended Power Door Lock Operation
10. S01898 APR 03 Body - Wind Noise Around Doors
11. M0100999 APR 03 Cooling System -Coolant Leak From Radiator Hoses
12. M0101099 APR 03 Engine - Rattling Noise When Revving Engine
13. 0101400 APR 03 Engine - Rattling Noise When Revving in Neutral
14. 0901000 APR 03 Keyless Entry - Transmitter Battery Inspection
15. 0900601 APR 03 Lighting - High Mount Stoplamp Removal
16. M0900699 MAR 03 Body - Door Seaming Welt Falls Out of Position
17. 0101302 APR 02 Fuel System - Fuel Injector Replacement Guidelines
18. 0900702 APR 02 Body - Trunk Key Hard to Insert/Turn/Flap Broken
19. 0100602 FEB 02 Fuel System - Fuel Pump/Component Replacement Guidelines
20. 0100702 FEB 02 Emissions - MIL ON/DTC P0402 (EGR) Set
21. 0900302 FEB 02 Body - Rear Door Weatherstrip Pulls Out of Channel
22. 0700101 DEC 01 A/C - Blower Unit Leaks Cold Air
23. 0901801 DEC 01 Accessories - Keyless Entry Service Information
24. 0901401 DEC 01 Body - Front Door Glass Won't Go All The Way Down
25. 0900901 NOV 01 Body - Windshield Molding Wind Noise
26. 0101801 NOV 01 Engine Controls - MIL ON/Driveability Concerns
27. 0901100R OCT 00 Body - Door Lock Cylinder Difficult to Operate
28. 0900700 JUL 00 Interior - Cigarette Lighter Does Not Work Properly
29. 0700400 MAY 00 REC/FRESH Air Lever - Does Not Stay in Set Position
30. 05-002-00 FEB 00 A/T - O/D OFF Lamp Flashing/No Shift Condition
31. 0500200 FEB 00 A/T - OD OFF Lamp Flashing/No 2nd - 3rd Gear Shift
32. 0901299 AUG 99 Paint - Iron Particle/Industrial Fallout Damage
33. 0500499 MAY 99 Engine - Intermittently Hesitates or Jerks
34. 0900899 MAY 99 Power Door Lock - Malfunctions
35. 0101899 MAY 99 Year 2000 - Computer Systems Compliance
36. 0101699 MAY 99 Cruise Control - Unexpectedly Cancels/Will Not Set
37. K0500029 APR 99 A/T Range Sensor - MIL and OD Light ON/DTC P0705 Set
38. S0900699 APR 99 Door Seaming Welt - Falls Out Of Position
39. B0100299 APR 99 Engine - Rattling Noise
40. S0900499 MAR 99 Rear Door Weatherstrip - Comes Off
41. K00598 DEC 98 A/T Cooler/Line - Flushing Procedure
42. F01498 DEC 98 Throttle Adjustment Screw - Adjustment Precaution
43. T0901598 NOV 98 Power Door Locks - Unintended Operation
44. S0902698 NOV 98 WIndshield Moulding - Whistling/Wind Noise
45. F01398 NOV 98 Quick Release Connector - Removal/Installation
46. S0902498 NOV 98 Manual Door Mirror - Vibrates
47. G00198 OCT 98 Battery - Dies In A relatively Short Period Of Time
48. ST00698 SEP 98 NGS System - Test Lead Inspection
49. ST00598 AUG 98 NGS System - Reprogramming Service
50. S0800598 AUG 98 Seat Belt - Extenders
51. ST00498 AUG 98 Special Tools - Shipping Date
52. S0901898 JUL 98 Door Weatherstrip - Wind Noise Around Doors
53. N00198 APR 98 Steering Wheel - Slightly Off Center.
54. ST00198 FEB 98 Star Tester - New Version Program Cards.
I own a 99 protege se. My car has 86000km on it right now. I've had the check engine and od drive blinking for the past 2 years. I've bought it the dealers when it first started, but they didn't find any problems, so I decided to just ignore those lights. Right now the problem I am having is, the car seems to jerk from one gear to another.. like when I am driving at a normal pace, it seems it would downshift on it's own and back again. This problem occurs once in a while, kinda scary when it does happen. anyone have the same problem.
I purchased my 1999 Protege four years ago. So far I like the car pretty well (it beats the clunker I was driving!) It is a five-speed, standard transmission (which is just now needing service at nearly 98,000 miles.)
When my "check engine" light came on about three years ago, I figured it was "preset" by the factory as a ploy to get me to take it to the dealer for an expensive tune-up. I took it to the dealer who charged me $70 to hook it up to the "computer" for a check - nothing was wrong except the gas cap was not tight enough; at least that was the diagnosis.
This happened again several months later with the same result. The third time it happened, I just made sure my gas tank had plenty of gas and the cap was tight. Eventually the light has gone off (and I hope this doesn't jinx it to come back on!)
This week my car has started to "lunge," especially when in 1st and 2nd gears. Took it in and looks like clutch and flywheel work is needed - to the tune of just over $600. Does that seem like the normal cost for this type of work?
Also, has anyone had success in getting a replacement/batter for the key remote? The dealer gave me a quote of almost $100 to replace it. It seems sealed and battery replacement cannot be done easily by the consumer.
Thanks!
I own a Protege 1998, and I am experiencing problems with the OD light and deceleration also. The car was taken to the repair shop many times, but the problem has never been fixed. The check engine light is also another recurrent problem, perhaps even more common than the OD light, but certainly much less scary than the deceleration that accompanies the OD light blinking. I don't know, but I sense that this is a very serious problem - one that has the potential of causing very bad car accidents. What can we do about it? Does anyone else experiences the same problem?
I have been driving my protege 99 DX since Feb 99 and have 110000 Miles on it.. No problems at all until recently when I got my transmission flushed.. Since than the check engine light comes on almost on monthly basis. I had it in the garage for that and was told to replace the Throttle Position sensor. It would cost me almost $500. Anyone here have done this before? I might want to do it myself. If I remember correctly the TPS is located in a easy to get place and can be replaced without much trouble..
The symptoms of the TPS going bad are the once described above, such as unwanted acceleration and RMP jumping all over the place.. The other thing I have noted is the car does not maintain proper speed when the cruise control is on. I suspect it is related to the bad TPS..
I would appreciate if someone can provide feedback on the TPS issue..
Thanks,
Rami.
I have same problem with a 99 Mazda Protege LX 1.6 Liter.
"Check engine" light came on. I took to dealership (for that and some brake issues). They promptly charged me $800 to make the brake grinding even worse and the "check engine" light fixed for 30days - at which time it came on again. I figured it was an automotive scam, so I simply ignored it. Been driving for 1yr with light on; Runs fine. But... recently I noticed gas mileage was getting much worse than my 300zx (v6), so I took it to Advanced Auto where you can get a FREE computer code print-out. You simply hook a little hand-held device to a port under your steering wheel, then take it back into the clerk and they'll print and tell you what codes mean. Mine said 2 fuel flow/emission sensors had gone bad - $200+ each! And the clerk said this would cause poor gas mileage issues.
Instead of spending another 4,5,600 bucks for this, I started Googling and found this:
"I have been a mazda tech for 16 years. There are most likely ports clogged in your intake manifold. first check for vacuum at the boost sensor (map sensor) the nipple on the intake can get clogged with debris. If that isn't it, you have the passages clogged in the intake with carbon. you can get to these through the throttle body-you may want to remove it and the egr valve, use a coat hanger, wire, whatever it takes"
...and also this...
"Service Bulletin: 1999 Protege:
TSB Number Issue Date TSB Title.
1. SSP056 FEB 02 Campaign - Mass Airflow Sensor Warranty Extension."
Does this mean this issue will be fixed as a warranty issue by Mazda? (it appears that way).
I can't believe you all are in my same shoes! And, to the last person, I printed out that very page and gave it to my guys at Merchant's Auto, and it still didn't do anything to get the check engine light to go off. To give you a history, I have a 99 Protege LX. Great car, up to about 1.5 yrs ago when the check engine light starting coming on. I noticed it would come on when the a/c was being worked hard. Then when the cooler months arrived, it went off on its own. When it came back on though, I was told it was my EGR valve. Got it replaced. Light came back on. Then they ran the diagnostic again and said it was the O2 sensors. Got BOTH replaced (to the tune of $660!). Car ran a bit better, but light came back on. Now it's flashing and it has really bad pickup. Again, I have kept this car in perfect condition, and now that it's got some age on it, maybe this accounts for the slower pickup. When I let it heat up a bit it runs pretty well. Long and short is - Can anyone shed light on this check engine light mystery that seems to be plaguing a lot of us poor folks??
I have a 99 protege Lx also, I had the check engine light come on at 36,000 miles (only has 45,000 now) I took it to Auto zone and it read my #1 cylinder was lean. I took it to Mazda after seeing the MAF sensor notice and because I purchased in California it is not covered (I live in another state now) I'm concerned about getting it to pass smog.
At this point that is my only concern. I'm just going to keep unplugging the battery (light goes out for a while). Has anyone had difficulty getting smogged due to this?
I have read with interest the comments regarding the check engine light on the Mazda Protege series. I own a 1997 Protege DX, and over the past couple of years, have dealt with this check engine light with only moderate success. Seems like it pops on again every 3 to 6 months, with no rhyme or reason. It is a shame, because for the balance of my ownership, it has been a good and reliable car, but since hitting 100,000 over the past two years, the check engine light, along with sluggish performance, has dogged the vehicle. Oxygen Sensors ($400) and Intake Valves ($300) have been the most common reasons cited by the dealership, but the problem (check engine light) never seems to stay fixed for long. Does anyone really believe the Oxygen Sensors are dying every three months? I don't think so, but it is annoying not to have a clear-cut answer or a fix from anyone.
I own a 1999 Mazda Protege as well, I have 189 000 Kms on it. I love it, but I also have the check engine light on that started when I bought it when it had 70 000 Kms on it.
I also noticed that maybe 3 times a year, when I am driving on the Queen Elizabeth way, mid speed of maybe 80 to 100 kms, its like a jerking sound as if the car went into a lower gear immediately! It was almost as if it went from 4th geer to 1st geer! It would last a second and it would be normal again! And you actually jerked when it happened. I went to a transmission place and they could not find anything wrong with it. I have had the car for more that 3 years, and it hardly ever happens. The check engine light is an EGR Valve and I just disconnect the battery cable when it is time to to the E test here in Ontario. Does any one have this jerking problem?? Have always wondered what that was...
I have a 99 Mazda protege EX with the "Check Engine" light on. Auto zone read the code - P0171. The car runs good except for a rough idle. I noticed a little extra AIR noise under the hood; it could be air leakage at the intake manifold gasket. I'm taking it to a trusted repair shop this evening to let them take a look. You guys might want to check those air intake gaskets. Apparently www.alldatadiy.com has info on the faulty gaskets.