mazda 3 problems - please help

[marrlboro]

ok guys here is my problem
i hav a 2009 mazda 3 4 door sedan 4 speed auto, i've installed INJEN cold air intake and magnaflo exhaust.
its been all beautiful until my car started to choke- check engine light went on- i reset the computer and the light went of, but the car kept chocking, then most recently the engine started to turn of while I'm driving, check engin and oil lights go on and the car stops, i can restart and drive away with in seconds but its been happening more often lately - any ideas-please, please help.

[cwp_sedan]

I would suggest having the CEL (check engine light) scanned to see what the problem is. You'll have to be careful taking it to the dealer to get looked at as the intake might be causing the problem and they could give you a hassle.

Did this start happening right after the install of the intake or no? Something could have come loose or the MAF wires might be too tight causing an issue.

[JonsMazda]

Check the MAF wires, it might broke.

[mazda lover]

re-install the Oem intake to see if the problem goes away..

[Donutz]

Search the forum and you will find bucket loads of info on this very topic. Easier than switching back to your stock air box, start your car then gently wiggle and move the maf wires and harness. If your idle changes (stumbles, speeds up, etc) you likely have damaged the maf wires when installing the intake.

From that point you can work through the wires to figure out which one(s) are damaged. Then depin the wire, solder in a new piece of wire, repin and go.

[mz3~Power]

do some research on the pcv valve... this exact thing happened to my dad's 3. when you drive it the revs would sometimes drop real low at a red light and one day the lights on my gauges all went on and the car turned off but i could drive away right after. His car is bone stock and also automatic. I heard the value sometimes gets stuck open or closed... and it causes chocking and stalling...i could be wrong though.

[marrlboro]

I think i got it- i went to Injen website and they said that you actually have to re-set the computer by unplugging the battery- i did that 3 days ago and my rpm's stay at 750 all the time - no choking no nothing - i just hope it going to last - my mechanic said that it wasn't needed but obviously it helped

[JonsMazda]

It might come back...lets hope not.

[vartdirector]

As i know the influence of the new Intake make the starter have less voltage to burn the gas so after some time this may happen. Actually the problem may be a bad install. Some wires not very well attached as others said.

If your car is more than 2 years old your should maybe check the Sparkplugs they last about 45000 KM depending on the brand, and that will cause the problem you have with the car.

Why after the intake install? Because the Intake you installed may have an influence on that part of the car. Actually there are many causes.

The test i recomend you to do is to take off the wires from the AI and connect to the OEM one and do not unplug anything from anywhere just switch the cables and you will see if there is any incompatibility.

Good luck!

[Fuman]

If your car is more than 2 years old your should maybe check the Sparkplugs they last about 45000 KM depending on the brand, and that will cause the problem you have with the car.

OEM last well over 100,000 KM.
what brands are you taking about, so we can avoid them?

[vartdirector]

If you look at Google you will find that the spark plugs last on average from 30,000 KM to 55,000 KM, but i know at least Bosch have a life time warranty.


OEM last well over 100,000 KM.
what brands are you taking about, so we can avoid them?

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

If you look at Google you will find that the spark plugs last on average from 30,000 KM to 55,000 KM, but i know at least Bosch have a life time warranty.

The Mazda3 comes with NGK Iridium plugs as OEM. I wouldn't even look at them till around 96K unless you start experiencing weird symptoms. They typically last in the 120K+ range.

To the OP, I would be concerned with the install job and your MAF connection/wires.

[S.F.W.]

If your car is more than 2 years old your should maybe check the Sparkplugs they last about 45000 KM depending on the brand, and that will cause the problem you have with the car.



I disagree with your spark plug life expectancy. I just had my 120K service completed, and was planing to purchase new plugs. Dealer pulled and inspected them, and said there is no need to replace.

[vartdirector]

The Mazda3 comes with NGK Iridium plugs as OEM. I wouldn't even look at them till around 96K unless you start experiencing weird symptoms. They typically last in the 120K range.

The OEM ones yes, but compared to what you pay for too it should be like this.

I was just saying that could be something on that kind ;)

Regards.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

The OEM ones yes, but compared to what you pay for too it should be like this.

I was just saying that could be something on that kind ;)

Regards.

No worries. Regular plugs usually do need replacing before 50K.

On my old Protege, they were supposed to be changed and the car tuned every 48K. When I switched to NGK Iridium in my Pro at 48K, the service advisor at the dealer actually tried to talk me out of it saying that sometimes the car doesn't run right on the Iridiums. After I thanked him for the feedback, I had them installed and never had to change them again up until the car was written off at approximately 260,000km+ mark. It still ran like a champ and like S.F.W., I kept wanting to put new Iridium plugs in once I was in the 120,000km+ area and the tech kept saying they were fine and totally not necessary. So, I didn't.

[mazda lover]

I disagree with your spark plug life expectancy. I just had my 120K service completed, and was planing to purchase new plugs. Dealer pulled and inspected them, and said there is no need to replace.

A DEALER said not to change them..WOW what dealer was that...

[S.F.W.]

A DEALER said not to change them..WOW what dealer was that...

Agincourt.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

edit.

[marrlboro]

so far i drove my car very hard and it's still ok no choking no drop in rpm's- yeaahhhaa
now new question - change of location of advanced ignition timing MOD sensor - will it add horse power and can it be done with automatic transmision.

[vartdirector]

I want to hear about his one... if there is some how to do it, can you maybe post some tuto with pics or just an explanation how to do it?

[Donutz]

Search M3F for montza timing mod.

[marrlboro]

go to youtube and type in Mazda 3 tuned and it will come up there is a video of a guy doing it and it looks very simple

[mazda lover]

go to youtube and type in Mazda 3 tuned and it will come up there is a video of a guy doing it and it looks very simple

how about posting the link, there are a number of videos, which one is it? copy and paste

[Donutz]

http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=39020.0

[marrlboro]

Jason can it be done on the automatic thou

[marrlboro]

one more thing - my car is 2009 with 9000 miles on it is it ok that I'm using 93 gas (super) or should i go back to regular - I've been using super for about 4 months now.

Also the problem with chocking and shutting of came back today- I'm so frustrated, i will look in to MAF wiring but if that doesn't work i really don't know what to do - help again

[Hives]

There was a huge debate months ago on using 91/93 vs. 87

I would suggest going with what Mazda recommends, which is 87. I think the extra octane is unburned and creates carbon build-up from what a few members were saying.

[marrlboro]

coyuld using 93 create the stalling problem???

[marrlboro]

one more question
will changing spark plugs to some performance type- will it improve combustion therefore add more horse power? And is it safe for the car?

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

coyuld using 93 create the stalling problem???
You should go back to using just 87 octane. There is zero benefit to your engine in using a higher grade gasoline unless you are tuned for it. No, I doubt the higher octane you have been using is causing your stalling problems.


one more question
will changing spark plugs to some performance type- will it improve combustion therefore add more horse power? And is it safe for the car?

The plugs in your car should be NGK Iridiums. They are already a very top quality plug that should last 120K under normal conditions. Have someone examine the plugs to make sure they are seated correctly, but if they are NGK Iridiums, no need to change them unless there is a problem with them. Then, replace them with new NGK Iridiums.