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I have a 93 Mazda Protege. The car stalled out on me on ...

Sent to Car Experts October 19, 2005 3:50 a.m.

I have a 93 Mazda Protege. The car stalled out on me on side road and would not start, the battery ran down quickly (approx. 3 min of cranking). I took battery in to check and they said it would not hold a charge, so I got a new battery, installed it and the car started right up. I drove it home and to work the next day with no problems, on the way home that night it did the same thing. I was going about same speed (approx. 25 mph). The battery was run down due to hazard lights being left on by tow company. I had the fuel filter & fuel pump replaced, but that did not fix the problem. What is the problem, is the altnator the problem or something else related to the electronic system.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $10

Answer
October 19, 2005 5:22 a.m. (1 hour and 31 minutes later)

REPLIED

It sounds like you may have a problem with the alternator not recharging the battery. Either have it tested or test it yourself with a digital voltmeter. You shhould have 13.5 to 14.8 volts at idle with no accessories on.

Hammer Time -- L1 Master Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 2710 Car Accepts
ASE Mastertech with Adv level Engine performance cert.

Reply to Hammer Time
Sent October 19, 2005 11:24 a.m. (6 hours and 1 minute later)

I thought it might be the alternator to start with, but I was not sure. I can not get the car started to test the alternator. #1: I got no indicator light to say the system was failing, when it was running. If the alternator was failing (running at half the voltage), I should get this warning, right? #2: If the alternator is now dead, would that keep the car from starting? Can a car start with a dead alternator?

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Answer
October 19, 2005 9:01 p.m. (9 hours and 37 minutes later)

REPLIED

Yes, it can fail without putting the light on.If you charge the battery first, it should run until it's run down again. Just avoid using the headlight or air conditioner.

Hammer Time -- L1 Master Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 2710 Car Accepts
ASE Mastertech with Adv level Engine performance cert.

Reply to Hammer Time
Sent October 20, 2005 1:20 a.m. (4 hours and 18 minutes later)

I have a fully charged battery in the vehicle now and the the engine just rotates, but no sign of it starting. The fuel is being pumped up to the engine, whether the injectors are working properly I don't know that fo sure. If I shoot starting fuild into the throttle body the engine will sputter a bit, but will not fully start. I now suspect a short or drain in the system that is preventing the engine from starting. I don't think the alternator could be the culprit, but I could be wrong, maybe the coil or ignition switch. I don't see any bad grounds or open wires, but could have missed them.

Help!

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on October 20 2005 at 1:21am

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Answer
October 20, 2005 7:34 a.m. (6 hours and 13 minutes later)

REPLIED

OK, these symptoms are a little different than your first explanation.

Quote:

I took battery in to check and they said it would not hold a charge, so I got a new battery, installed it and the car started right up. I drove it home and to work the next day with no problems, on the way home that night it did the same thing.

You need to first test a few functions during the failure.

1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester.
2) Test for injecter pulse using a small bulb called a noid light.
3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure.

Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out,
you will know which system is having the problem.

Here's what the noid light looks like.

Images available only to Customers.

Hammer Time -- L1 Master Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 2710 Car Accepts
ASE Mastertech with Adv level Engine performance cert.

Reply to Hammer Time
Sent October 20, 2005 9:21 a.m. (1 hour and 47 minutes later)

I have no spark at the spark plug wire ends, of course the engine is only rotating, not starting. I tested this with a spark tester.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Answer
October 20, 2005 9:31 a.m. (9 minutes and 21 seconds later)

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Hammer Time -- L1 Master Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 2710 Car Accepts
ASE Mastertech with Adv level Engine performance cert.

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