Help diagnosing engine trouble

[marksoden]

For the last six months or so I've had poor performance from my engine and blamed it on the cracked air intake hose and my poor taping job. The engine light would be flickering and the car would almost stall and then I'd have to let off the acceleration to make the engine light go out again and drive smoothly. Well, I got the cracked hose replaced and the engine light problem is still there...and when it comes on, the electrical power in the car dims...lights, fan...the car is idling extremely low at stops....but while I'm driving, the engine light will come on, and you can feel the power drain before it comes back a few seconds later. The battery is new...What are the symptoms of a dying alternator....OR a dying mass airflow sensor? Could it be one of these or both?<BR>HELP! thanks

[Scooter]

Mark,<P>Chech your vacume hoses running to and from your air intake. I had the same iddling problem because one of the hosses fell off. Try that, although an alternator problem is quite beyond my knowledge<P>Scott

[lee20]

i have the same problem. i brought my car to my mazda dealer and they told me it that it was my spark plugs. i had a crack in my number one wire

[David Coleman]

Well, this question would no doubt be more successfully answered on the MX-3 Mailing List at <A HREF="http://www.egroups.com/messages/mazdamx-3owners" TARGET=_blank>http://www.egroups.com/messages/mazdamx-3owners</A> . <P>Thanks!<P>------------------<BR>David Coleman <B>#2</B><BR>1993 Mazda MX-3 GS Special Edition<BR>1/4 mile: 16.05 @ 85.7mph<BR><B>Update!</B>ACT II is now in! see ya at the strip!<BR><B>Updated Nov 5th</B><A HREF="http://www.PinkMX-3.com" TARGET=_blank>PinkMX-3.com</A> <A HREF="http://www.mx-3.com/people/ownerdetail.cfm?OwnerID=59" TARGET=_blank>MX-3.com registry</A>