Mazda Protege Maintenance and Repair

cahollan · May 2002

I had the same problem with my 2000 ES...turns out it was the coil pack going bad...it wasn't firing one of the cylinders In my case, however, the check engine light was flashing and then stayed on solid during the spasm.

chikoo · May 2002

nothing to discuss on your daewoo, huh?

you know "daewoo" in Gujarati(regional language) means "DEBT".

How true!!

jkobty · May 2002

You are right chikoo. I am getting bored. No problems with any of my woos, and the remaining Daewoo topics are basically discussions on Daewoo bankruptcy. Hey, at least no shudder, shudder, clunk clunk, for me. Thank you very much.
I think it is always funny when I visit other topics and find people complaining about cars they would consider to be superior to Daewoos with problems that would make my hair stand up.

fritz1224 · May 2002

You still around? I figured you somehow got smashed inside that tin can you ride around in.
Do you really have hair or is it just wishful thinking. I would think owning a Daewhat would make even sasqwatch(?) go bald relatively quickly.

jkobty · May 2002

For a guy driving a Honda Accord, you have got some nerve calling other cars tinny. With the tranny already clunking on your 2000 model car, and with warranty running out soon, you should be trying to trade it in, mate.

maltb · May 2002

...and with warranty running out soon, you should be trying to trade it in, mate.

And a Daewoo warranty is still valid?

Sorry, I just couldn't sit idly by.

chikoo · May 2002

a beautiful sexy voluptious GF/wife.....gives you the best time, but also FORCES you NOT to neglect her, keeps on cribbing, but in all makes ur day & night interesting; unlike other cars which are like wooden planks, that do not make any fuss, but also do not make ur life(read drive) interesting.

Right?

mdaffron · May 2002

To date I've owned four Proteges, and none of them have ever been in the shop for anything other than scheduled maintenance (and my two personal goofs -- sticking a CD with a homemade label in my CD player and jamming it, and wedging too large a box in my trunk and breaking a little plastic clip up under the parcel shelf -- but even though these two things were MY fault, they were replaced under warranty).

So where's the fuss? Fill 'er up, change the oil, do the recommended maintenance, and ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM!!!

What're you doing here anyway, jkobty ... just trying to stir up trouble? Wanna see if Pat wants to re-open the Daewoo vs. Protege topic? I'm ready!

Meade

neesie · May 2002

I have not been happy with my 99 Protégé ES automatic since it was purchased. It was the biggest mistake I have ever made. I purchased based on consumers reports rating that year. It was rate one of the top buys. In addition, it is still rated good for resell. Well I hate it and wish I could unload it.

Currently, I am experiencing noise problems. While driving at speeds varying from 10 mph to 45 mph, occasionally, I hear a loud noise. The noise is present usually during acceleration. Although my Protégé is automatic, the noise sounds similar to gears in a manual transmission. The dealer/mechanic looked several times at the car. One time they said it was a loose heat shield. Another times, according to them, they found no problem. The noise is not consistently there so when test driving with the dealer/mechanic, no noise is present but other passengers/drivers notice and comment on the noise. My Protégé is still under warranty, at least for the next four months and I would like the problem fixed by then.

Is anyone aware of this kind noise of problem with the 99 Protégé? It needs to be resolved; I have a long road trip scheduled and I am concerned about safety issues. Someone please help.

protege_fan · May 2002

Sorry to hear you're having problems!

I'm not sure what you mean when you said that it sounds similar to gears in a manual transmission. Do you mean when you "grind the gears" in a manual, making a loud grinding noise?

I drove an automatic as a loaner and it sounds the same when accelerating as my manual does.

I've never heard of your problem, but I'll keep an eye out to see if anybody else has.

neesie · May 2002

It is hard to describe. I drove several manual transmission automobiles for over ten years. The noise is similar. It even has something of a glassy jingling sound.

dsm6 · May 2002

Its too bad that the dealer can't/won't deal with your problem. If they can't/won't track it down, I'd go over their heads to Mazda NA, of to their regional supervisor (hopefully a quick couple of calls, but ...) and demand satisfaction now before that warranty runs out.

These Proteges are reliable, but sometimes things still go wrong with such complicated pieces of machinery. This is true of any make/model (but some more than others - speaking from experience as an owner of a number of GM cars :-( )

Hope they can fix it for you, but unfortunately it seems sometimes that dealer service departments need to be proded in order to get them to do their job right (speaking again from experience on those darn GMs).

mazdafun · May 2002

I don't have the noise issue, but I have a 99LX AT, not an ES. If you have the option, take it to another Mazda dealership service department if you're finding no satisfaction with the one you currently use.

Also, document the history. If you can document this issue as having been identified and brought to the service department's attention, I think you can persuade them to service it under warranty, even after the period passes. I think this is because you've identified it and raised it as an issue during the warranty period. I think it depends on the law in your state.

Going to Mazda NA will at least leave some type of trail.

Glassy, jingly sound. Can't say what could cause it.

neesie · May 2002

Thanks for the input. These are great ideas. I will take it to a different dealer tomorrow and call Mazda NA if I need to. Thanks so much.

alternator · May 2002

In the speed range you mentioned, I would look at loose baffles inside the muffler as a possible cause.

chikoo · May 2002

>>>The noise is present usually during acceleration. Although my Protégé is automatic, the noise sounds similar to gears in a manual transmission.<<<

I have driven manual cars for 15 years....never heard any sound as attributed to "manual gears".
I currently have a 99 ES Auto and the only complaint I have is the "clunk" sound when falling into the first gear when coming to a moderately quick stop from 35mph...mind u i can hear it only if my radio is not on;)

whybuy4n · May 2002

We bought new an LX last year and it's got 9000 miles on it so far. A month after the first oil change, I found oil spots on the driveway. Also had a slow air leak in the right front tire. Brought the car back and they said it was a loose filter and a tire valve. Looked like it was still leaking oil, so I parked it in a new spot in the garage. Yep still leaking oil, and the tire was still loosing air. Brought it back 4 more times before they found it was an intermediate shaft seal that was bad. Luckily the only thing wrong with the tire was it had a nail in it. Now for the past month, it's been the ABS light comes on just after doing 35 MPH. They've replaced speed sensors in the front and now they say it's a wire harness problem. This car has been in the shop more than I'd care to admit (over 10 visits) and am sorry I ever signed the paperwork.
Does anyone have an address I can write to try and get this car fixed or get some satisfaction? This car (wife's Mazda) has 9000 miles on it and has had more problems than my car with over 120K so far. I doubt I'll buy anything Mazda ever again, but will be trying another Mazda shop 20 miles away to see if there are any competant mechanics there.

dsm6 · May 2002

Sorry to hear of all the problems. It sounds to me like what is going on here is poor diagnostic work from the technicians. It sounds like they are just throwing parts at the problem without proving first what is wrong. That approach is a recipe for return visits. We're really only talking about two significant problems (I wont count the nail in the tire) - an oil leak and an ABS problem. If diagnostics were done properly to prove the failure of the targeted parts and checks had been made to ensure that the proper solution had been determined, that would make only two trips. Instead, it has been 10 trips. I think most folks would find two trips disappointing, but maybe acceptable, but not 10 trips. I think I'd try another shop, and make sure they know everything that has already been done.

mazdafun · May 2002

Patt Goss had a good discussion about the correct method of using a diagnostic computer. The codes only indicate what systems are AFFECTED by whatever the real source of the problem is. A "baseline" inspection should be done before even hooking up the computer (such as inspecting vacuum hoses, belts, electrical connections etc.). Then there's a chart that is supplied that gives further diagnostic direction after codes are pulled to narrow down the suspect systems and components. I think DSM is right and that most technicians simply throw parts at the problem instead of actually figuring out what's the root cause.

puranik · May 2002

Probably you are having the same problem that I am facing. Randomly, at any speed, in my case, especially when I step on the gas, the noise occurs. I asked my friend to drive it and he told me that it is an engine ping due to a problem in the fuel injection system or the Air pump. Dont know how that plays a role but he suggested that I tank up with Premium fuel. The noise disappeared after that.

I did take the car to the dealer over one year for this problem but everytime I was told that their is no audible ping !!

I am going to tank up again with regular fuel after this and check it out. Atleast I know what I need to talk to when I visit the dealer this time.

Hope this helps you too.

Viraj.

chikoo · May 2002

which gas station do you use?
I found that if I use Sunoco or Mobil regular gas, it feels like my car is dying.
Now, I fill up at Texaco and car runs GREAT!!

Later on I read at the Sunoco gas station pump that they ALWAYS use oxygenated fuel....hmmm...no wonder....

mdaffron · May 2002

Funny thing here in Richmond -- If I fill up with Citgo 87-octane (ALWAYS use 87, friends) and do my regular commuting, I'll get about 330 miles on a tank of gas (2000 ES -- smaller gas tank than the '01s and '02s) and on occasion, with a lot of highway driving, I've gotten as high as 360 miles.

Everything else I've tried, which includes Exxon, Texaco and Amoco -- especially Amoco -- and I'll be lucky if I can get up to 300 miles on a tankful.

Meade

the_big_h · May 2002

or just that ONE particular Citgo that you see increased MPG?

mdaffron · May 2002

But they are so close to each other, they probably all get their gas from the same truck.

But in all honesty, my car seems to run better with that gas. And my odometer seems to confirm this!

Many folks have the wrong impression that Citgo is "cheap gas." Well, I've read they're just as premium as the other guys -- in fact, they started off in the jet fuel department. Now, maybe I'm crazy, but if the big airlines approve of Citgo, can't my Protege benefit too?

;-)

Meade

chikoo · May 2002

and imagine...mobil gas....makes my pro run like a lawn mover....forget about mileage...the zoom factor suddenly disappears when I put Mobil 87 gas.

nematode · May 2002

There are 5 different national brand gas stations I could use on the way to and from work yet like a good little lemming I will only use the Shell station. Why? Fuel Voodoo. I have a 01 Protege ES 2.0 and my wife has a 00 Subaru Outback Ltd. BOTH get better fuel economy with the Shell gas. I have no idea why. I dont imagine its all that different than the Mobil station across the street or the Sonoco 2 blocks away. I have tried all of the stations but the Shell gas just works better by about 1-2mpg. Its probably hard to believe but I can repeat it over and over so I decided to just stick with the Shell.

My last 2 tanks with the Protege have given me 402 and a whopping 411 miles driving mostly highway at around 65mph. The 411 mile tank was with 13.0 gallons so thats getting close to 32mpg in an automatic!!!! Its got about 13k miles on and the fuel economy is still going up slowly for some reason. Now I cannot go to another station because it would mess with my Fuel Voodoo. You never want to mess with your Fuel Voodoo. It would be bad.

the_big_h · May 2002

because I get 5% cash back every month by using their Shell Visa card

there's no voodoo involved in my choice, my reasons are purely economical

mdaffron · May 2002

We used to, but they left. Gotta be bad when you can't sell gas, lol! We had Sunoco up until the late 70s, too -- back when they had the "dial an octane" lever on the side of the pump. Hell, I still remember my dad telling the guy to "fill 'er up" and then handing him a FIVE!!!

Meade

puranik · May 2002

I have no special choices but stick to either Costco or any other well known brand (Mobil, Shell, or Texaco). I do not remember the noise going down with any of the above.

curt3 · May 2002

Finally, someone else has experienced what I also have called a ping and the Mazda guys could never hear...

I found that the ping disappeared with 89 or above fuel...anything less sounds like a diesel. By the way, my problem was with the 1.6L 2000 Mazda Protege. Good luck with getting the mechanics to hear it. I personally believe that the dealers are aware of the noise, unfortuantely, I know of no technical service bulletins concerning the issue...

mdaffron · May 2002

I thought they bought whatever gas was cheapest and don't stick with one brand!

Meade

whybuy4n · May 2002

Thanks for the response. I agree that it looks like the tech's that have worked on our LX have taken the easy way out every time we bring the car in for service. They never seem to have any of the parts in inventory so we have to return again and again and again, just to pick up the car with the problem still evident. On one occasion my wife sat there for 2 hours waiting for a "1 hour job" just to find out that the part never arrived and we'd have to come back again. They never called to tell us that the part had not arrived and even on the return visit, I had to keep calling to see if the part had arrived yet. We found out yesterday, that some of our visits to the dealership don't even show up in their records. Now isn't that convenient!?!?!? Luckily, I had each visit marked on our calendar, so I know what the real number is. The car is probably a good product, but it's been spoiled by the poor performance at the dealership and the premature defects in components and the inability to properly diagnose/repair them. I'm getting to the point of trading the car in and getting something from a dealer that's closer to home and more convenient to drop off for service. Something I wanted to do in the first place, but caved when I assumed today's imports aren't any worse than vehicles assembled in the US or Mexico. Nobody can tell me today that they are actually better, that's for sure. I'm starting to believe in Kharma, Carma? All those years I drove American cars and wondering if I'd bought a Japanese car, if it would really be more dependable? So far it looks like it doesn't look that way. I guess it's just payback time for not sticking to my guns and buying what I felt was a better package. A car with a long track record, that I was familiar with at a dealership that I knew did good work. Instead I let the wife pick what cars she was interested in and then narrowed the field by price and dealer incentives. Now I'm stuck driving across town for shoddy service, a garage floor and driveway covered in oil stains and a car with ABS that doesn't. Zoom Zoom to the moon Alice!

protege_fan · May 2002

It's karma....and it sounds like yours is bad!! That dealership sounds pretty shady. Do you have the work invoices for each visit? That'll probably be the only proof that they will believe.

I really think you should check out either another dealership or a good independent mechanic...you current service sounds brutal and it doesn't sound like they can't or aren't willing to fix your problem promptly.

Do you qualify for the lemon law according to your State's laws? I'm not sure if you fall within the law, but you may want to check it out.
Or am I wrong and is this just really poor service?

dsm6 · May 2002

You know, for years I stuck with domestics and nothing but. My wife still drives the last one a bought- a Pontiac. It has been in to three different Pontiac dealer service departments 10 different times for 10 different problems. The Mazda is too new to tell, but I'm dealing with small number statistics here anyway (5 cars). Anomalies, better and worse than average, will and do occur.

The large number stats still say the "imports" are better, though the gap is growing smaller, and many of these so called imports are built in the US. It seems to be tied more to company vision, or even division goals, than country of origin, IMO. And by vision, I mean true corporate goals, not publicly stated goals - in other words, just because Chevy's new ad campaign says something like "Don't you wish everything was as reliable as a Chevy", that doesn't mean I'm buying it.

mazdafun · May 2002

You have to go by individual records of plants.

For instance, MB is a good brand (mostly), but their first couple years producing in the US have been terrible. Contrary to the record in Germany.

On the other hand, Honda and Toyota (and Chevy Prisms built in that plant) built in the US are mostly trouble-free. Almost, and sometimes, as good as they achieve in Japan. The Mazda-branded and Ford-built (in NA) truck and SUV follow typical Ford reliability (bad).

US v. Mexican v. Candian built for "domestic" brands is too varied to call clearly IMJ.

Sounds like your issue is with the dealer service department. To not alert you before you showed up that the parts weren't even there is bad. To repeat it is inexcusable. I can't blame you if you buy a vehicle based upon having a good mechanic for it. However, I find mixed service across most brands in my area, so this doesn't strongly affect my decision. The only exceptions seem to be Saturn, Acura and Lexus, which must exert tighter control over the consumer experience at their dealership service departments. I almost always hear they're "satisfactory" or "good" as opposed to "poor" or "fair" or other words I shouldn't mention here.

dsm6 · May 2002

That's a good point. As another example, my wife's Pontiac Grand Prix and the Buick Regal are sister cars, but are built in different plants. So the mechanicals are the same, but they're assembled by either folks in US (GP), or folks in Canada(Regal). According to stats, the Canadians are doing a better job on what is mechanincally just about the same car.

So why then did we buy the GP? Oh well.

protege_fan · May 2002

...Canadians are doing a better job...

curt3 · May 2002

You can really see the quality difference between the fit and finish of the Protege and the 626. The Protege is a superior car in paint, panel alignment, and overall feel to the American-made 626's. Something just hasn't felt right about the Mazda trucks made since 1993 and above--the Ford in them just falls short of the predecessors.
They have a kind of rental car generic vibe about them...

neesie · May 2002

Well I took my Protégé back to the dealer and of course they heard nothing. They installed a new damper set (install kit for front pipe as per bulletin XX166XRX 0.4). Well that did not help either - the noise still exists.

I live in a large metropolitan area with heavy-stop and go traffic and according to the dealer the way I drive probably creates the noise. I am about ready to give up but first Ill take it to one other dealer and see what they say. I will also change type of gas used.

Six months ago, my front brake pads were replaced. Could the noise be coming from the brakes vibrating while accelerating?

cpaulyee · May 2002

I think my 2001 LX2.0 has that same "noise". To me, this is how it makes the noise. Lets say you are going along but have to make a fast slow down or stop (like a car in front making a sudden turn), then you step on the gas to resume your speed, thats when a shudder like noise appears. Also coming out of a turn, mostly right and you step on tha gas, same shudder.
Is this the noise Nessie or am I on a different topic? Otherwise great car, only 6700 miles on it, and I guess I'll mention it to the dealer before the warranty runs out.

neesie · May 2002

Yes, that does sound like it. And it is well documented.

kaiserhead · May 2002

I've been dealing with a mysterious engine rattle during hard acceleration that the dealer was not able to figure out. I have a 2000 SE 1.6L. The noise is actually louder when the A/C is running. The service department in Ft. Lauderdale actually told me to use 87 octane fuel (I was using 89) as a solution, I think I'll be talking to the manager on the next visit.

curt3 · May 2002

Kaiser,

Let us know what your dealership tells you about the noise from your engine. I also have the 1.6L engine on my 2000. I have the impression that with increased mileage people are starting to experience that ping that I have had for over a year. I now have 64,000 miles on my Protege and only use 89 octane and above. If I use 87 octane the car really pings. Try burning high octane on one tank and see if the noise disappears and let us know.

maltb · May 2002

Something just hasn't felt right about the Mazda trucks made since 1993 and above--the Ford in them just falls short of the predecessors.

Actually, as much as I have never liked Ford products, my opinion is that 1994 and later Mazda trucks feel much more solid than the real Mazda trucks. As far as quality goes I can't argue there, but handling and feel of the Fords is clearly better. And yes, I have driven both recently.

kaiserhead · May 2002

Curt3, I have found the following technical service bulletin for the 1999 1.6? DOHC engine.

B0100299 - APR 99 - Engine - Rattling Noise

Not really sure what it applies to but it may be a good lead to follow. I'm a little miffed that the dealer wasn't able to shed some light on the problem, there's got to be at least a hundred other cars around South Florida with the same engine, plus, Mazda should have some insight on the problem. I'll try the higher octane gas just to see what happens amd let you know what happens.

sandman46 · May 2002

Have you tried going to Fairbanks Mazda here in Coconut Creek yet? Just wondered how their service department was.

kaiserhead · May 2002

I've been to Fairbanks before when I was looking to buy, they came off as being sleezy and pushy, I can't imagine their service department is much better. I've been to Gunther once for service, they were recommended by a VW owner and seemed fairly professional. I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the problem, but they only have one more chance.

mazdafun · May 2002

Sometimes they're similar, sometimes they're as different as night and day. It depends on the managers of the departments. Usually, they operate almost independently, although a sales manager likes to use a good service department as a selling point. I think service departments don't really care about the sales departments since they're really competing against other service organizations.

chikoo · May 2002

any word on my query on the AT clunk?
In my opinion(as if it counts), i beleive the AT computer requires re-programming so as:

not to agressively engage in the 0-3mph range when it is coming to a stop. The gear engagement at this point should be slow, not rapid, thus allowing for speed adjustment in the drive shaft and the gear.
OR
It should engage when when car is STOPPED ie. 0mph. This should end the clunk noise.

Is this re-programming a possibility?

dancemom · May 2002

I lease 99 Protege SE. I had to get new front brakes at 25,700 km, and now, just 23,000 km later (48,600)I have to replace them again.. That's the third set of brakes in less than 3 yrs! We have argued with the dealer, but they say it is just wear and tear, and that's how breaks are made now. Has anyone else had problems, or is this really normal wear and tear (I do city driving) We previously had a 97 model that never needed new brakes in 2 years, 40,000 km.

Mazda Protege Maintenance and Repair

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