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[NEED HELP] Whats wrong with my car???

Posted: March 8th, 2010, 7:47 pm
by rong
Hey guys i've been having some car problems lately i have a 4-cyl. 96 mazda mx.3. I had a check engine light come on and tried to decode the problem. I followed the instructions as posted in the CEF, located 'ten' and 'gnd' and used a copper wire. but for some reason couldnt get my check engine light to flash so i can decode the problem. My car runs fine but when i come to a complete stop the car seems like its about to stall....almost misfiring. But im pretty sure it's my MAF sensor. But how i came to this conclusion was that i was told that if i unplugged the electrical switch from the sensor and try starting the car technically the car shouldnt start. well i unplugged the switch and started the car....and guess what. She started. in fact the car seemed to run slightly better. i even drove it around a few times with the switch unplugged. This took place all of yesterday. TODAY, i went to the wreckers and got a used MAF sensor for $75 and installed it and my check engine light was gone. :D When i thought my day was about to get better later on my check engine light came back on. For a short moment i even seen the oil light flicker on and off. Checked the dipstick and im sitting just below the Full line. Bottom line is guys, I NEED HELP. What is my car trying to tell me? Do you guys think the MAF sensor i bought used is faulty? Is there another way to check to see if the MAF is faulty? Why cant i get my check engine light to flash?

Some help and advice would be much appreciated. Thanks

Re: [NEED HELP] Whats wrong with my car???

Posted: March 8th, 2010, 9:17 pm
by PilotSmack89
I used to have the "almost stalling" problem too. My check engine light came on because of a detected misfire. I did 2 things:

Cleaned the TB (as per Tunes67's writeup in the FAQ) and,
Ran Seafoam through my engine.

No more idle issues for me.

You can use the online manuals to determine if the MAF you bought is actually faulty (doesn't seem likely, but you never know)

Re: [NEED HELP] Whats wrong with my car???

Posted: March 8th, 2010, 9:44 pm
by RS_OBD'oh_2
I only read the first couple lines.

Get an OBDII code reader... plug it in under the glove box area on the PS. It will tell you exactly what is wrong.

Re: [NEED HELP] Whats wrong with my car???

Posted: March 8th, 2010, 10:15 pm
by SpatialTerror
haha wow. im suprised that wasnt the first reply.
yea obd II is the shizz

Re: [NEED HELP] Whats wrong with my car???

Posted: March 8th, 2010, 10:46 pm
by PilotSmack89
Didn't even cross my mind fellas... I got a 92 - im used to having to figure out things the hard way :lol:

Re: [NEED HELP] Whats wrong with my car???

Posted: March 9th, 2010, 12:34 am
by Daninski
Resetting the TPS wouldn't hurt either.

Re: [NEED HELP] Whats wrong with my car???

Posted: March 16th, 2010, 12:41 am
by shrooms258
how do you reset the throttle position sensor?

Re: [NEED HELP] Whats wrong with my car???

Posted: March 16th, 2010, 1:11 am
by PilotSmack89
shrooms258 wrote:how do you reset the throttle position sensor?
http://www.mx-3.com/phpBB3/search.php

With over 7000 posts, it's bound to be in there somewhere