1999 Mazda Protege Stalls After Start

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BIRD570
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have a 1999 Mazda Protege ES 1.8 liter a little over 100,000 miles and it is a automatic. This does not happen every time I start the car, but it does happen at least once a day.

The car turns over like normal most of the time. Sometimes it dies right away, but most of the time it turns over and starts. The car does not "catch" all the way and acts as if it is a stick and wants to stall. If the needle goes below 1, the car will shake and want to die. The car will then have a strong gas odor.

After a period of time, the car will "catch" and run normal. Sometimes if I give it a steady push of gas and sometimes when I drive it will catch. Sometimes it "catches" quickly sometimes it will take five minutes.

Any help would be appreciated.
Feb 19, 2007 at 1:53 PM
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COSMO
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 347 POSTS
Sounds like one of two common problems on the protege that might cause that problem.

1. Have the intake manifold gasket checked for leaks
2. Have the EGR system checked to see if the EGR valve is stuck open.

3.' Not so common' check for crakcs in the intake air tube from the air box to the throttle body

Hope some of this helps you.

Cosmo...Mazda TEch
Aug 4, 2020 at 5:19 AM

Suggested Repair

Check the intake manifold gasket for leaks, inspect the EGR valve for sticking open, and look for cracks in the intake air tube between the air box and throttle body.

Conversation Summary

A 1999 Mazda Protege ES 1.8 automatic with over 100,000 miles sometimes starts and then fails to catch, shakes, wants to stall, and gives off a strong gas odor before eventually running normally. A Mazda tech suggested checking for an intake manifold gasket leak, an EGR valve stuck open, and cracks in the intake air tube from the air box to the throttle body.

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