Common Problems, Issues, Recalls, and Reliability

  • Engine Cranks and Doesn't Start

    An electrically shorted air flow sensor can cause a crank-no start condition. Diagnosis may show that ignition spark is normal, and there are no trouble codes stored.

  • Squealing In Timing Cover Area When Cold

    The timing belt tensioner pulley may make a squealing noise from the timing cover area on cold startup. An updated tensioner with a thicker mounting bracket to eliminate vibration may be needed to solve the problem.

  • Idles Rough, Misfires, and Possible Check Engine Light

    A loose or corroded ground terminal on the driver's side of the cylinder head can cause a rough idle , misfires , and there may be trouble codes . Restore the ground to the cylinder head.

  • Crank but No Start Condition

    If the engine cranks but does not start, and diagnosis shows no fuel pressure, the fuel pump relay is frequently the problem. If the fuel pump relay is defective, the fuel pump will not energize and therefore, not generate fuel pressure so the engine can run.

  • Misfires Under Load

    Misfires under load (acceleration) can be caused by leaky spark plug boots. When a spark plug boot leaks, it allows the spark to arc, or jump, to the cylinder head . New spark plug wires will be needed.

  • Engine Stalls when Coming to a Stop

    If the engine stalls when coming to a stop, check the automatic transmission fluid (ATF) level. Low ATF fluid level can cause the torque converter lock-up to stay on, stalling the engine.

  • Check Engine Light Due to Restricted EGR System

    The passages for the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system can become restricted or clogged causing the Check Engine Light to illuminate. The EGR valve will need to be inspected and the passages cleaned.

2003 Questions and Answers

Related Questions

  • Mazda Protege Blue Smoke

    2003 MAZDA PROTEGE, 13, 800 MILES

    related to exhaust, blue-smoke

    I have a 2003 Mazda Protege 5. Every time I start it up after about 6-8 hours, blue smoke comes out the exhaust. It burns through about 2 quarts of oil a week. We have replaced the PCV valve twice,..

  • Mazda Protege After Filling Up Car Stalled, Engine Light Come On...

    2003 MAZDA PROTEGE, 91, 000 MILES

    related to exhaust, white-smoke-

    After filling up car stalled, engine light come on, car started running rough blowing white smoke out exhaust @media(max-width: 960px) { .adt { display: none;padding:0; } } Sunday, F..

  • Mazda Protege 2003 Mazda Protege Beeping Noise

    2003 MAZDA PROTEGE, 2.0L, 4 CYL, FWD, AUTOMATIC, 104, 000 MILES

    related to general, noises, beep

    My car does an annoying beep when I'm in reverse. How do I disable that? It is an 2003 Mazda Protege DX with an alarm system installed." @media(max-width: 960px) { .adt { display: none;padding:0..

  • Mazda Protege Do It Yourself, Fix

    2003 MAZDA PROTEGE, 4 CYL, AUTOMATIC, 96, 487 MILES

    related to body, door, handle

    Do it yourself, fix door handle @media(max-width: 960px) { .adt { display: none;padding:0; } } Thursday, December 23rd, 2010 AT 4:12 PM ..

  • Mazda Protege Electrical Light (looks Like Battery) On Dash Goes On...

    2003 MAZDA PROTEGE, 64, 900 MILES

    related to interior, dashboard, light

    Electrical light on dash goes off after driving 2 or 3 miles just want to know how to get it off @media(max-width: 960px) { .adt { display: none;padding:0; } } Wednesday, October 12th,..

  • Mazda Protege Eng Code Po660 Imcc Actuator Circuit Malfunction

    2003 MAZDA PROTEGE, 190, 000 MILES

    related to trouble-codes, p-codes-powertrain, p0600-p0699, p0660

    Eng code po660 imcc actuator circuit malfunction @media(max-width: 960px) { .adt { display: none;padding:0; } } Friday, February 15th, 2013 AT 5:45 PM ..

  • Mazda Protege Fan Switch

    2003 MAZDA PROTEGE, 4 CYL, FWD, MANUAL, 88, 000 MILES

    related to general

    Fan switch only operates on high @media(max-width: 960px) { .adt { display: none;padding:0; } } Wednesday, February 16th, 2011 AT 10:43 PM ..

  • Mazda Protege How Can I Fix My Mazdaspeed Protege 2.0L Turbo With A...

    2003 MAZDA PROTEGE, 120, 000 MILES

    related to trouble-codes, p-codes-powertrain, p0600-p0699, p0660

    This code will not trigger the check engine light to come on but when other codes that im havin troubles with trigger the light this code is always there so id like to fix it. @media(max-width: ..

  • Mazda Protege Greetings, Question Re: Mazda Protege 5, 5 Speed...

    2003 MAZDA PROTEGE, 160, 000 MILES

    related to ignition, spark-plug, replace-remove

    Greetings, Question re: Mazda Protege 5, 5 speed manual non turbo. The issue - car is stalling/chugging when idle-ing at stop signs/red lights/stop go traffic. I have replaced the EGR valve, ..

  • Mazda Protege Heater/steering

    2003 MAZDA PROTEGE, 4 CYL, 2WD, MANUAL, 91, 000 MILES

    related to steering, symptoms, not-working

    Car heater doesn't work. Also the powered steering doesn't work. I saw smoke coming fron the battery area. I have a 2003 mazda protege. Any ideas? @media(max-width: 960px) { .adt { display: none..

  • Mazda Protege Ignition Coil

    2003 MAZDA PROTEGE, 4 CYL, 2WD, AUTOMATIC

    related to ignition, coil, location

    Where are the ignition coils on a 2003 Mazda Protege5 @media(max-width: 960px) { .adt { display: none;padding:0; } } Saturday, February 5th, 2011 AT 8:33 PM ..

  • Mazda Protege Circuit Control Issue, Code P0660

    2003 MAZDA PROTEGE, 4 CYL, AUTOMATIC, 107, 000 MILES

    related to trouble-codes, p-codes-powertrain, p0600-p0699, p0660

    I recently purchased this car. I replaced the damaged side mirror, when I did I noticed a broken wire. The next day the check engine light came on. The code that popped up for it was p0660. I looke..

  • Mazda Protege Codes P0106 And P0090

    2003 MAZDA PROTEGE, 4 CYL, AUTOMATIC, 176, 213 MILES

    related to trouble-codes, p-codes-powertrain, p0001-p0099, p0090

    These are the codes that are currently on my car. The 1st reading said manifold absolute pressure, Barometric pressure sensor, range performance. P0171 Bank 1 system, too lean. P0090 fuel pressure..

  • Mazda Protege Fuel Shut Off Switch

    2003 MAZDA PROTEGE, 2.0L, 4 CYL, TURBO, 2WD, MANUAL, 140, 000 MILES

    related to safety, inertia-switch

    I shut the car off and it would not start again. It was not getting fuel so I replaced the fuel pump and still nothing. @media(max-width: 960px) { .adt { display: none;padding:0; } } ..

  • Mazda Protege Just Had Work Done.

    2003 MAZDA PROTEGE, 188, 880 MILES

    related to engine-cooling, radiator, replace-remove

    I just had work done on my car and recived the estimate. I noticed it said radiator assy. I just wanted to know if this ment they replaced the radiator or no. Thank you very much for your time and h..

  • Mazda Protege 2003 Mazda Protege ABS And Break Light Are On

    2003 MAZDA PROTEGE, 4 CYL, 2WD, AUTOMATIC, 78, 450 MILES

    related to exterior-light, brake-light, stay-on

    Hello, I was wondering if you could tell me what might be wrong with our car. The break and ABS light are on and they will not turn off. We changed the front branks to see if that was the probl..

  • Mazda Protege 2003 Mazda Protege Car Is Shaking When Stop On...

    2003 MAZDA PROTEGE, 4 CYL, 2WD, AUTOMATIC, 72, 000 MILES

    related to general, shakes

    (108000km) Hi Guys I have Mazda 2003 Protege LX2.0 when I start my car is take time like cranking and after I drive some km. When I stop the car is shaking and Engine light Stay on continued..

  • Mazda Protege Check Engine Light?

    2003 MAZDA PROTEGE, 4 CYL, FWD, MANUAL, 89, 000 MILES

    related to warning-lights, check-engine-light

    My check engine light comes on when the gas gets below 1/2 tank and the engine jerks, bucks, hard to accelerate. After I fill to full, the engine runs great and eventually the check engine light ..

  • Mazda Protege 2003 Mazda Protege Dash Lights

    2003 MAZDA PROTEGE, 4 CYL, FWD, MANUAL, 156, 000 MILES

    related to interior, dashboard, light

    I have a mazda protege5 with quite a few miles, she has been loyal. Recently the dash lights (milage, speedometer, ac nobs, etc) stop lighting. I checked the fuse and they all look fine. Any sug..

  • Mazda Protege 2003 Mazda Protege Power Door Locks

    2003 MAZDA PROTEGE

    related to body, door, lock, auto-locking

    Electrical problem 2003 Mazda Protege 4 cyl Wheel Drive Type unknown Automatic 56,000 miles My back passenger door makes a weird noise and will not lock/unlock when I use the automatic lock..

  • Mazda Protege 2003 Mazda Protege Squealing Noise

    2003 MAZDA PROTEGE, 4 CYL, FWD, MANUAL, 87, 500 MILES

    related to general, noises, squeal

    My cars been making a squealing noise for the past few weeks. At first it was only when the car was cold and only for about 30 seconds but could be stopped if the heat was turned off. Since then it ..

  • Mazda Protege Gurgling At Start Up

    MAZDA PROTEGE

    related to general, noises, gurgle

    2003 Mazda Protege ES, 63000 miles. Hi, I have had several problems. First, on a trip 350 miles from home, my fan belt broke. Was towed and had fan belt and timing belt replaced. Was released an..

  • Mazda Protege PLEASE HELP ASAP

    MAZDA PROTEGE

    related to exterior-light, headlight, stay-on

    Hello, I have a Mazda Protege 2003 LX with 84,000 miles. I am having problems with my headlights. I cannot drive the car at night because I cannot get my lights to dim. The brights stay on. I think..

  • Mazda Protege Power Door Locks Not Working

    MAZDA PROTEGE

    related to body, door, lock, not-working

    2003 Mazda Protege, about 75, ooo miles, manual trans, 2.0l engine- The power door locks intermittantly stop working on the car. I thought it was the actuator when it was just the driver's door, ..

  • Mazda Protege Undercarriage Damage

    2003 MAZDA PROTEGE, AUTOMATIC, 530, 000 MILES

    related to steering, fluid

    About a week ago my car started squeaking when I turn left or brake. I thought it was due to needing new brake pads or steering fluid. However, the steering fluid was fine. The wheels started to fe..

2003 Maintenance and Repair