1999 Mazda Protege

1999 MAZDA PROTEGE
185,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • MANUAL
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TAMETIF
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
We changed the fuel pump, fuel pump fuse, battery and thermostat. Now, the problem is... in the early morning, if it is cool and misty outside, the car will not start.. the engine does not even try to turn over and the windshield wipers will not come on, but everything else in the car comes on and the horn blows. Then, once it begins to warm up outside, the car will start with no problems. AND... After I drive for a while, in traffic or sit and idle in traffic for a while, the car will shut down because it gets too hot and I will need to refill the reserve engine coolant bottle and let the engine cool down before it will start again. Please help me to determine the cause and solution to this huge problem because I have taken the car to a few mechanics and still don't know. Thank you
Sep 30, 2009 at 11:27 AM
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MATHIASO
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 1,209 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
check your spark plugs, believe this is a head gasket problem.
during the night when engine cool down, coolant seeping into the cylinder , making difficult to start in the morning.
it's may be more than one thing.
there may be a short to power .
it will be needed wiring diagrams a DMM.
I do not know if there is engine light, but it is very important to scan it and get the codes.
185000 miles , head gasket could be the problem.
Sep 30, 2009 at 5:50 PM
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