Mazda 323 4d 1,6i 16, Year 1992

[hans1977]

Hi,

I have a problem with my MAZDA 323 4D 1,6I 16. It's only occasionally, and i could easily live with it if it would never get worse, but i don't want to get stuck at the side of the road a long way from home.

Anyway, I have only noticed this problem at low rpm, less than ~1500 rpm, and it has happened very rarely so far. The engine just dies for one or two seconds when this happens; it's as if the ignition was disconnected or the injectors suddenly switched off for a couple of seconds, and then the car can be fine for hours again.

Does anyone of you know what this problem is likely to come from or how i should troubleshoot this problem?

Thanks in advance!

BR,

Hans

[hansgti]

Does it stall at idle speed? idle control valve

or does it die when you have your foot on the accelerator? could be a problem with fuel pump

[hans1977]

Does it stall at idle speed? idle control valve

or does it die when you have your foot on the accelerator? could be a problem with fuel pump

Usually i have had this problem when i'm slowing down before an intersection or roundabout, but it has also happened just after i have turned at the intersection and one time when the car was on idle at a car park.

Do you have any suggestions on how to test the fuel pump?

Another thing. I have changed the distributor already, due to another problem, but i'm not sure about the quality of the rotor. I think the ignition system looks like it's generally in good condition apart from that. Is it still more likely to be something about the fuel system?

/Hans

[jcon]

1st guess, idle speed control.

2nd: try turning everything on in the car, full on air, full high beams, everything.... then press the brakes.... stall? Could be a failing alternator, but that should give you some funny behaviour before the stall, like flashing lights on the dash and stuff like that.... but you did say it stall when slowing down, and the brakes (do you have abs) take a lot of power...

but try the idle speed control... I don't know what it's like in that model of car, but often a shot of the Sonax spray in there will get things sorted...

this is a very dangerous problem (you only mentioned getting stuck on the road as your concern)... one of the worst things that can happen to you is for your car to lose all power at speed... there goes your power steering, brakes, etc... then you're in for real trouble. fix it quick. cuz I don't want you rear-ending me!

[hans1977]

Thanks!

I'll go for the Idle speed control valve, i think, since the electrical system shows no weaknesses and since the power steering and breaks seams to be on a mechanical system. I just have to figure out where the valve is...

Another thing i thought about would be to use the "diagnosis" connector to read out some codes, but i suspect that there will be no codes as long as the error signal in the instrumentation does not light up?

/Hans

1st guess, idle speed control.

2nd: try turning everything on in the car, full on air, full high beams, everything.... then press the brakes.... stall? Could be a failing alternator, but that should give you some funny behaviour before the stall, like flashing lights on the dash and stuff like that.... but you did say it stall when slowing down, and the brakes (do you have abs) take a lot of power...

but try the idle speed control... I don't know what it's like in that model of car, but often a shot of the Sonax spray in there will get things sorted...

this is a very dangerous problem (you only mentioned getting stuck on the road as your concern)... one of the worst things that can happen to you is for your car to lose all power at speed... there goes your power steering, brakes, etc... then you're in for real trouble. fix it quick. cuz I don't want you rear-ending me!

[BSJ]

I am not sure about your model. If it's idle speed control it maybe vacuum regulated. If so, look for perished vacuum line to the unit or perished diaphragm inside the unit, or a worn linkage.

[hans1977]

I am not sure about your model. If it's idle speed control it maybe vacuum regulated. If so, look for perished vacuum line to the unit or perished diaphragm inside the unit, or a worn linkage.

Thanks! I'm starting to think that i'll need a manual [1]...

[1] http://www.haynes.com/products/year/1992/m...3/productID/247

/Hans

[culicine]

Bad wiring on my electric fuel pump on my old mini caused a similar problem. Under acceleration it was ok, but one cruising or deceleration the car would seeminly starve and the engine would nearly cut out. So a possibility is bad connections on the fuep pump or the pump or delivery system itself.