2002 Mazda Protege Car not starting intermittently (CPS iss

KRAZYK011

MEMBER
2002 MAZDA PROTEGE
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
125,000 MILES

So on occasion, I have extreme trouble starting my car. It will crank and crank but wont start up. I finally can get it going by pumping the gas petal a bunch of times while cranking the engine. I got a cam shaft position sensor error a few times, so I inspected it. Took it out and cleaned it. Magnet is working. However I did discover that while engine is running, if I tap on the sensor the engine will chug and, sometimes, completely die. Should this happen if the sensor is tapped? Is this the problem with my starting? I was first thinking the fuel pump. But now am not sure. Any insight would be awesome! Thanks,

Kyle

5 Replies

DAVE H

MECHANIC
13,384 POSTS

Check for good spark and fuel whilst cranking. See which onr you do not have when it will not fire up?

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Sunday, July 18th, 2010 AT 8:16 PM

KRAZYK011

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8 POSTS

My question right now is if tapping on the cam shaft sensor with my finger should be causing the engine to bog down/die. I think that is definitely an issue. As far as fuel and spark go, both are good as far as I know. The only other way I can get this car to start (besides popping clutch) is by continuously pumping the gas pedal while cranking. It eventually will catch and start.

Currently car starts everytime and am having no issues besides that weird cam shaft sensor, but one day i'll go to start it and bam. It will give me trouble.

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Sunday, July 18th, 2010 AT 10:49 PM

KRAZYK011

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8 POSTS

How can I verify fuel and fuel pump are acting properly? Is there a bleed point or something like that to check?

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Sunday, July 18th, 2010 AT 10:51 PM

DAVE H

MECHANIC
13,384 POSTS

Mazda generally do not fit a valve to test the fuel pressure. You would need to fit an in-line (T fitting)check point to check for good fuel pressure from pump.

Tapping the CMP should not affect the engine. I would replace the sensor and/or check the wiring if you feel it is playing a part in your non start issue

Camshaft Position Sensor
The Camshaft Position (CMP) sensor detects camshaft angle at 180-degree intervals (4-cylinder) or 120-degree intervals (6-cylinder) and sends a signal to the PCM. The CMP sensor also detects cylinder No. 1 TDC (4-cylinder) or No. 1 and No. 4 TDC (6-cylinder) and sends a signal to the PCM. The CMP signal is used for fuel synchronization. For CMP sensor location, see CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR LOCATIONS table. On MPV, the CMP sensor pulses once per camshaft revolution.

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Monday, July 19th, 2010 AT 4:13 AM

KRAZYK011

MEMBER
8 POSTS

I replaced the sensor this last weekend and it does the same thing. Tapping it bogs down the engine. A couple things: right below the sensor, there is a plastic cover on the engine. Not sure what is on the inside, but I did notice a sizable crack there in the plastic body. Any ideas on that? 2: the wiring isn't great, but when im tapping the sensor I dont even touch the wiring when it bogs. Do you know if the mazda protege has a quick disconnect at the firewall on the engine wiring harness? I was thinking about replacing that, but could not see an easy disconnect point before the wiring enters the cabin area.