2001 Mazda Tribute Rough Cold Idle

MAZDA
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TSOL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hello! I have a 2001 Mazda Tribute with around 96000 miles. Recently I took it for a tune up becuase it had a rough start and it was due for that. They also did a throttle body cleaning and a 3 step fuel system cleaning. The problem is that in the mornings when its cold, the idle is very rough and eventually it normalizes. I took it back to where the did the tune up and they scanned it for other things but everything comes out ok. The coil pack is fine, the fuel filter is new :( . Any idea what may be wrong here. I need help, I'm afraid that becuase I'm a lady, they may take advantage of me and I can't afford to be waisting money on things that don't need repairs. :cry: Thank YOU!!!
May 18, 2006 at 5:29 AM
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LOSONE
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,616 POSTS
Change the coolant temperature sensor--it is probably telling the computer you are in -10 weather and it will run rough.
May 18, 2006 at 10:36 AM

Suggested Repair

Replace the coolant temperature sensor, which may be falsely reporting extreme cold and causing a rough cold idle.

Conversation Summary

A 2001 Mazda Tribute with about 96,000 miles idles roughly on cold mornings and then smooths out. A tune-up, throttle-body cleaning, and fuel-system cleaning did not fix it; a scan found no codes, and the coil pack and fuel filter were reported fine. The expert recommended replacing the coolant temperature sensor because it may be telling the computer the engine is much colder than it is.

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