I have a 1992 Protege Dx, manual transmission. I got my clutch replaced and since then the car has been struggling with an intermittent engine failure. Orginally, my mechanic thought the cause was my O2 sensor which was broken and replaced. However, two weeks later, it happened again. For example, I was driving on the freeway at 70 mph when I started losing power. No lights went on, but the car started slowing down even with the accelerator depressed to the floor. I put the car into neutral, shut off the engine, restarted the engine and power was back to normal. This is what it typically does and no one can figure it out. Any ideas?

 

My wild guess would be an ECU problem. I have no basis for this though My first thought was a wire somewhere that has a bad connection - but if it ALWAYS works after your turn the key off, then back on again, that wouldn't make sense....

 

Can you tell me what an ECU problem is? I'm a total novice Thanks for your help.

 

The ECU is the computer that controls a lot of functions of the engine (somebody could give you a better descripition I bet).

This is a tricky one. It sounds like the fuel supply may be getting cut off from the engine... this is something the ECU controls. Or it may be that the fuel pump itself isn't working (though I'm not sure why restarting the car would change that). If the mechanic has other suggestions too I'd check it out, tell us what you find. The ECU can be kinda pricey if you buy a new one from Mazda, so if you decide it needs to be replaced it may be worthwhile to look in a junkyard.

Good luck

 

Thats why I suggested the ECU. I can't really think of anything else that might be 'reset' when the key is cycled.

 

Thanks for your ideas. Do you think that the car will ever eventually just "die" and not restart? I will look into the fuel pump and ECU possibilities.

 

ok . my problem might not be the same as yours.. but mine did the same thing... my dman fuse box has a short in one or more of the wires... i'll be going.. and the engine starts cutting out.. if i turn it off and back on.. i guess the shaking of the starter made the wires connect right.. and worked.. it did it every time... i finally got tired and looked at all my wires and figured that out.. also.. check your plug on your distributor (on the top) mine was loose and kept cuttin off.. lol... but it could also be ECU like the others suggested. .but what do i know.. hehe

 

Yes, the car/engine does stutter when the power starts dropping off. It does jolt back and forth when I step on the accelerator.

Is there something in specific to tell a mechanic to look for in terms of the ignition or fuel problem?

Thanks for your help.