1993 Mazda 626 The engine sputters, shuts down.

DAVESAC11789

MEMBER
1993 MAZDA 626
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
117,000 MILES

My Mazda 626 worked great until a week+ ago, when the engine sputtered (doing low speeds in suburban neighborhood) and the engine stopped working 2 blocks later. I got it jumped, it worked fine for about a week until two days ago, a similar thing happened where the engine sputtered/ran rough for 20 seconds and then shut down. The charged has worked since then again, I'm worried this will keep happening. Any ideas? Sensors? Please, help!

*New alternator installed in 2008

3 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi davesac11789,

Thank you for the donation.

If each time the engine stalled due to charging problem, then you have a problem that is quite common but does not have any remedy.

Seems the alternator does not charge intermittently causing the problem

Some have changed the alternator a few times but problem recurred after some time.

Does the charge indicator light shows prior to the engine stalling?

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Wednesday, April 14th, 2010 AT 10:33 AM

DAVESAC11789

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thanks for your response. No, the charge indicator light did not come on, but the brake light came on shortly and then shut off shortly before the car died. I didn't think much of it at the time, but maybe that can help you with your diagnosis.

Other info: The IAC Valve has been in need of replacing over the last few years, just an expensive change for something uneccesary (I've just been dealing with the high idling issue when its in park: 2000-2500 rpm "up, down, up, down." And when its in drive: a consistent 1500 rpms) This may have something to do with it as well?

Any help is very useful, I appreciate it

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Wednesday, April 14th, 2010 AT 3:42 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

The brake indicator lights showing could indicates a likely fault with the electrical system and it should be the result rather than the cause of the problem.

If the idling is surging, it might not be a faulty IAC but rather a leaking vacumn or the idling speed is adjusted too high.

Clogged coolant hoses of the IAC wouls also cause surging.

For the non charging, there are 3 possible reasons and you might have to install a voltmeter to monitor the charging.

1. Faulty alternator

2. Faulty PCM

3. Faulty ignition switch, but this is not likely if the radio etc does not stop working.

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Thursday, April 15th, 2010 AT 9:00 AM