What is this?

So... I'm trying to end the seemingly never ending saga of what is causing my Milly's engine to miss. We've been unable to really find anything wrong with it that would cause that. Yesterday, it suddenly got worse, where it actually stalled on me twice, while moving at that. It's never done that before. It still seems like its something with intake or one of the sensors. I noticed that upon shutting the engine off, it sounded like there was a vacuum effect. I had my dad listen for it to try to find where it came from. Seems that it's the air box. My dad messed around with it... Well, anyways, to finish, my dad thinks the problem could be that thing, we just don't know what it is. Do you guys know?

Japanese and English words saying Caution?

Mass Airflow Sensor

^^^

^^^What they said.^^^

I've never heard of MAFs causing a car to miss...maybe bog the car down and decrease performance...hesitate a bit...Try getting some carb or brake cleaner and cleaning the inside of the MAF. Just spray it on and let it dry. Sometimes they get dirty and in turn they don't get the correct readings. Like WMJ said, check your O2 sensors, also, bang on your cats with a hammer or mallet or something. If you hear them rattle, then they are broken and they could be causing backup in the exhaust which could be another cause of your car missing. Another thing, take off your valve covers and check your spark plugs/that general area...if it has oil on it or around it your valve cover gaskets could be leaking which can also cause a misfire...

Edited June 27, 200718 yr by Nick

Gracius, smart ones. I had a hunch it might be the MAF sensor, but hell I knew.

Tomorrow, I'll try cleaning it and the air intake box/hose. I'll buy a new air filter, too. I know its dirty. If all that doesn't work, I'll look into the valve cover gaskets.

You could always buy a...

...instead.

Oh yeah... I've always dreamed of owning a faultless K-car. Ah... what I would give to own one of those beauties.

Hey, the K-Cars we had were very reiable. Never had any major repairs that had to be done to them...of course they're about as complex as a lawnmower but ya know

Is this OBDII that can be monitored?

Yeah, I believe Mellenias are OBDII. I think Mazda went OBDII on their vehicles before the deadline (1996), and BV's is a 95.

Uh, I don't think you need to take your valve covers off to check your spark plugs, or even to check them for leaks.

Do you have a "check engine" or "service engine soon" light on at any time?

Edited June 27, 200718 yr by ocnblu

Uh, I don't think you need to take your valve covers off to check your spark plugs, or even to check them for leaks.

Do you have a "check engine" or "service engine soon" light on at any time?

Yeah, I don't know how his engine is designed...I'm just going off of what I know with my car, which obviously is completely different.

Oh wait, that's right...I don't need to take off my valve covers completely to get to the spark plugs...they are set deep in the valve cover general area, but I forgot the valve cover comes out around the spark plugs...though, to get the valve covers off, the spark plugs and ignition coils do need to come off, and that's when you can see if your valve cover gaskets are leaking or not. Yeah....sorry about that BV, I don't know what I was thinking when I said that, I got mixed up in my thinking because I'm usually ripping apart my VCG's when I'm dealing with the spark plugs and ignition coils...But yeah, I don't know how your engine is designed, but look down into your spark plug wells for oil.

These are the error codes if you can retreive any from the OBD-II box:

P1000 OBD II Monitor Testing Not Completed

P1001 Unable to Achieve Self-Test Function or SCP Error

P1100 Mass Airflow Sensor Circuit Intermittent

P1101 Mass Airflow Sensor Circuit out of Self-Test Range

P1102 Mass Airflow Sensor Signal Inconsistent with Throttle Position Sensor

P1103 Mass Airflow Sensor Signal Inconsistent with Engine Speed

P1110 Intake Air Temperature Sensor Signal (Dynamic Chamber) Circuit

P1112 Intake Air Temperature Sensor Circuit Intermittent

P1113 Intake Air Temperature Sensor Signal (Dynamic Chamber) Circuit

P1114 Intake Air Temperature Sensor Circuit Low Input

P1116 ECT Sensor Circuit Out of Self Test Range

P1117 ECT Sensor Signal Intermittent

P1120 Throttle Position Sensor out of Range Low

P1121 Throttle Position Sensor Signal Not Consistent with Mass Airflow Signal

P1122 Throttle Position Stuck Closed

P1123 Throttle Position Stuck Open

P1124 Throttle Position Sensor Signal Out of Self Test Range

P1125 Throttle Position Sensor Signal Intermittent

P1127 HO2S Bank 1 Sensor 2 Heater Not On During Key On Engine Running Self Test

P1128 HO2S Bank 1 Sensor 1 Signals Swapped in Key On Engine Running Self Test

P1130 HO2S Bank 1 Sensor 1 Not Switching (Fuel Control Limit Reached)

P1131 HO2S Bank 1 Sensor 1 Signal Below 0.45v (A/F Ratio Too Lean)

P1132 HO2S Bank 1 Sensor 1 Signal Above 0.45v (A/F Ratio Too Rich)

P1135 HO2S Bank 1 Sensor 1 Heater Circuit Low Input

P1136 HO2S Bank 1 Sensor 1 Heater Circuit High Input

P1137 HO2S Bank 1 Sensor 2 Not Switching (Fuel Control Limit Reached)

P1138 HO2S Bank 1 Sensor 2 Signal Above 0.45v (A/F Ratio Too Rich)

P1141 HO2S Bank 1 Sensor 2 Heater Circuit Low Input

P1142 HO2S Bank 1 Sensor 2 Heater Circuit High Input

P1143 HO2S Bank 1 Sensor 3 Signal Below 0.45v (A/F Ratio Too Lean)

P1144 HO2S Bank 1 Sensor 3 Signal Above 0.45v (A/F Ratio Too Rich)

P1150 HO2S Bank 2 Sensor 1 Not Switching (Fuel Control Limit Reached)

P1151 HO2S Bank 2 Sensor 1 Signal Below 0.45v (A/F Ratio Too Lean)

P1152 HO2S Bank 2 Sensor 1 Signal Above 0.45v (A/F Ratio Too Rich)

P1169 HO2S Bank 1 Sensor 1 Circuit Fixed (Bank 1 Sensor 1)

P1170 HO2S Bank 1 Sensor 1 Circuit Fixed (Bank 1 Sensor 1)

P1173 HO2S Bank 2 Sensor 1 Circuit Fixed (Bank 2 Sensor 1)

P1195 EGR Boost Sensor Circuit

P1196 Ignition Switch Start Circuit

P1235 Fuel Pump Control Circuit

P1236 Fuel Pump Control Out Range

P1250 Pressure Regulator Control Solenoid Circuit

P1252 Pressure Regulator Control Solenoid '2' Circuit

P1260 Anti-Theft System Signal Detected - Engine Disabled

P1270 Engine RPM or Vehicle Speed Limit Reached

P1309 Misfire Detection Monitor

P1345 No CMP or SGC Signal

P1351 Ignition Diagnostic Monitor Signal Lost to PCM or Out Of Range

P1352 Ignition Coil 'A' Primary Circuit

P1353 Ignition Coil 'B' Primary Circuit

P1354 Ignition Coil 'C' Primary Circuit

P1358 Ignition Diagnostic Monitor Signal Out Of Self Test Range

P1359 SPOUT Signal Lost To Powertrain Control Module Or Out Of Range

P1360 Ignition Coil 'A' Secondary Circuit

P1361 Ignition Coil 'B' Secondary Circuit

P1362 Ignition Coil 'C' Secondary Circuit

P1364 Ignition Coil Primary Circuit

P1365 Ignition Coil Secondary Circuit

P1390 Octane Adjust Shorting Bar Out or Circuit Open

P1400 DPFE Sensor Circuit Low Input

P1401 DPFE Sensor Circuit High Input

P1402 EGR Valve Position Sensor Circuit

P1405 DPFE Sensor Upstream Hose Off Or Plugged

P1406 DPFE Sensor Downstream Hose Off or Plugged

P1407 No EGR Flow Detected

P1408 EGR System Flow Out of Key On Engine Running Self Test Range

P1409 EGR Vacuum Regulator Solenoid Circuit

P1410 EGR Boost Solenoid Valve Stuck

P1443 EVAP System Purge Flow Fault

P1444 EVAP Purge Flow Sensor Circuit Low Voltage

P1446 EVAP Purge Flow Sensor Circuit High Voltage

P1449 CDCV or Throttle PositionCV Circuit

P1450 EVAP Control System Fault

P1451 Canister Vent Solenoid Circuit

P1455 Fuel Tank Level Sensor Circuit

P1460 Wide Open Throttle A/C Cut-Off Relay Circuit

P1464 Air Conditioning Control Signal Circuit

P1474 Fan Control (Primary Winding) Circuit

P1479 Fan Control (Condenser Primary) Circuit

P1485 EGR Vacuum Solenoid Circuit

P1486 EGR Vent Solenoid Circuit

P1487 EGR-CHK (Boost) Solenoid Circuit

P1496 EGR Valve Motor Coil '1' Open or Shorted

P1497 EGR Valve Motor Coil '2' Open or Shorted

P1498 EGR Valve Motor Coil '3 Open or Shorted

P1499 EGR Valve Motor Coil '4' Open or Shorted

P1500 Vehicle Speed Sensor Intermittent Signal

P1501 Vehicle Speed Sensor Out of Self Test Range

P1502 Vehicle Speed Sensor Circuit Error

P1504 Idle Air Control Solenoid Circuit Intermittent

P1505 Idle Air Control System at Adaptive Clip

P1506 Idle Air Control System Overspeed Detected

P1507 Idle Air Control System Underspeed Detected

P1508 Bypass Air Solenoid '1' Circuit

P1509 Bypass Air Solenoid '2 Circuit

P1512 VTCS Fault

P1521 VRIS Solenoid '1' Circuit

P1522 VRIS Solenoid '2 Circuit

P1523 VICS Solenoid Circuit

P1524 Charge Air Cooler Bypass Solenoid Circuit

P1525 ABV Vacuum Solenoid Circuit

P1526 ABV Vent Solenoid Circuit

P1529 L/C Atmospheric Balance Air Control Valve Circuit

P1540 ABV System Fault

P1562 Powertrain Control Module +BB Voltage Low

P1569 VTCS Circuit Low Input

P1570 VTCS Circuit High Input

P1601 Powertrain Control Module Communication Line to TCM Error

P1602 Powertrain Control Module Communication Line to TCM Error

P1602 Immobilizer System Communication Error with Powertrain Control Module

P1603 Immobilizer System Fault

P1604 Immobilizer System Fault

P1605 Powertrain Control Module Keep Alive Memory Test Error

P1608 Powertrain Control Module (ECM CPU) DTC Test Fault

P1609 Powertrain Control Module (ECM CPU) Knock Sensor Circuit

P1621 lmmobilizer System Fault

P1622 lmmobilizer System Fault

P1623 lmmobilizer System Fault

P1624 lmmobilizer System Fault

P1627 Powertrain Control Module (ECM/TCS) Line Communication Error

P1628 Powertrain Control Module (ECM/TCS) Any Line Communication Error

P1631 Generator Output Voltage Signal (No Output)

P1632 Battery Voltage Monitor Circuit

P1633 Battery Overcharge Fault

P1634 Generator Terminal 'B' Circuit Open

P1650 Power Steering Pressure Switch Out of Range Fault

P1651 Power Steering Pressure Switch Circuit

P1652 Power Steering Pressure Switch Circuit

P1701 Transmission Range Sensor Reverse Engagement Error

P1702 Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Intermittent

P1703 Brake On/Off Switch Out of Self Test Range

P1705 Transmission Range Sensor out of Self Test Range

P1709 Clutch Pedal Position Switch Circuit

P1711 Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit out of Self Test Range

P1713 Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit

P1714 Shift Solenoid '1' Mechanical Fault

P1715 Shift Solenoid '2' Mechanical Fault

P1716 Shift Solenoid '3' Mechanical Fault

P1717 Shift Solenoid '4' Mechanical Fault

P1718 Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit

P1720 Vehicle Speed Sensor '2' Signal Error

P1729 Transmission 4x4 Low Switch Error

P1740 Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid Mechanical Fault

P1741 Torque Converter Clutch Control Electrical Fault

P1742 Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid Shorted

P1743 Torque Converter Clutch Failed On - TCIL is On

P1744 Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid Mechanical Fault

P1746 Electronic Pressure Control Solenoid Circuit Open

P1747 Electronic Pressure Control Solenoid Circuit

P1749 Electronic Pressure Control Solenoid Circuit Low

P1751 Transmission Shift Solenoid 'A' Mechanical Fault

P1752 Transmission Shift Solenoid 'A' Circuit Shorted

P1754 Transmission Coast Clutch Solenoid Electrical Fault

P1756 Transmission Shift Solenoid 'B' Mechanical Fault

P1757 Transmission Shift Solenoid 'B' Circuit Shorted

P1761 Transmission Shift Solenoid '3' Mechanical Fault

P1762 Transmission SS3/SS4/OD Band Fault

P1765 Transmission 3-2 Timing Solenoid Valve

P1767 Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid Circuit

P1771 Throttle Position Sensor Circuit Open to Transmission Control Module

P1772 Throttle Position Sensor Circuit Shorted to Transmission Control Module

P1780 Transmission Control Switch Circuit

P1780 Overdrive Off Switch not Cycled during the Self Test

P1781 Transmission 4x4 Low Switch out of Range Fault

P1783 Transmission Fluid Temperature High Input

P1788 3-2T/CCS Circuit Open

P1789 3-2T/CCS Circuit Shorted

P1794 Powertrain Control Module Battery Direct Power Circuit

P1797 P/N Switch Open or Short Circuit

P1900 Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit Intermittent

P1901 Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Intermittent

-RBB

It looks like the spark plugs are right on top.

Well, there ya go then...

My heads are massive, so it involves a little digging...

What is this?

Forget what these other guys say. It's a Caution Box. It makes sure your engine is running cautiously. If you were to remove this box, your engine could explode from lack of caution.

At the same time, it could be working too well and causing the engine to stall due to overcautiousness. That might be the problem. Replace the Caution Box, but do so with caution.

You could always buy a...

...instead.

I just saw one of those today too..

Yeah, I believe Mellenias are OBDII. I think Mazda went OBDII on their vehicles before the deadline (1996), and BV's is a 95.

No, I'm pretty sure mine is OBDI. I've already taken it to my uncle's garage many times and he couldn't hook up his diagnostic reader for this reason.

Do you have a "check engine" or "service engine soon" light on at any time?

It's on periodically, was on up until today, but more on that further down...

Yeah, I don't know how his engine is designed...I'm just going off of what I know with my car, which obviously is completely different.

Oh wait, that's right...I don't need to take off my valve covers completely to get to the spark plugs...they are set deep in the valve cover general area, but I forgot the valve cover comes out around the spark plugs...though, to get the valve covers off, the spark plugs and ignition coils do need to come off, and that's when you can see if your valve cover gaskets are leaking or not. Yeah....sorry about that BV, I don't know what I was thinking when I said that, I got mixed up in my thinking because I'm usually ripping apart my VCG's when I'm dealing with the spark plugs and ignition coils...But yeah, I don't know how your engine is designed, but look down into your spark plug wells for oil.

I figured that much since my spark plugs are within reach, though they are set pretty deep.

It looks like the spark plugs are right on top.

Just out curiosity, is this car supercharged by chance?

That MX6? I don't think so, it just has a funky intake, as far as I know. My Millenia isn't either.

Anyways, I removed the MAF, intake hose, and air cleaner box... Cleaned each. Didn't really make a difference. After that, I went to Advance Auto to pick up a new air filter and then headed back home. This is where the fun starts. On my home, it shut off again... about 6 different times, the final time for good. Not only that, the check engine light is now blinking, which, I'm pretty sure isn't a good thing. All this while it was storming and I was in the middle of nowhere, the first time. I got started back up shortly after. Crawled along, trying to make it home. Just as I reached the top of the hill by my house, it shut off for the final time and wouldn't restart. Coasted down into the valley and tried to keep enough speed to get to my driveway after turning sharply onto the dirt road. Without power steering, it was a task, for sure. It now sits at the end of my driveway. Back to how it was running... Any time I would hold a gear, it would automatically shut off, which was the cause for half of the times it did so. It must be in "limp" mode. Really, it doesn't seem to run any worse. I think it has to be a one of the oxygen sensors or the MAF sensor. I just need to pull the codes... If I could. But yeah, that was my day... *jumps out his window... lands on porch roof... says "Damn!" and climbs back inside*

Edited June 28, 200718 yr by blackviper8891

No, I'm pretty sure mine is OBDI. I've already taken it to my uncle's garage many times and he couldn't hook up his diagnostic reader for this reason.

It's on periodically, was on up until today, but more on that further down...

I figured that much since my spark plugs are within reach, though they are set pretty deep.

That MX6? I don't think so, it just has a funky intake, as far as I know. My Millenia isn't either.

Anyways, I removed the MAF, intake hose, and air cleaner box... Cleaned each. Didn't really make a difference. After that, I went to Advance Auto to pick up a new air filter and then headed back home. This is where the fun starts. On my home, it shut off again... about 6 different times, the final time for good. Not only that, the check engine light is now blinking, which, I'm pretty sure isn't a good thing. All this while it was storming and I was in the middle of nowhere, the first time. I got started back up shortly after. Crawled along, trying to make it home. Just as I reached the top of the hill by my house, it shut off for the final time and wouldn't restart. Coasted down into the valley and tried to keep enough speed to get to my driveway after turning sharply onto the dirt road. Without power steering, it was a task, for sure. It now sits at the end of my driveway. Back to how it was running... Any time I would hold a gear, it would automatically shut off, which was the cause for half of the times it did so. It must be in "limp" mode. Really, it doesn't seem to run any worse. I think it has to be a one of the oxygen sensors or the MAF sensor. I just need to pull the codes... If I could. But yeah, that was my day... *jumps out his window... lands on porch roof... says "Damn!" and climbs back inside*

Dude, that sounds eerily similar to your last drive with the GA. Probably the limping home part, not so much the mechanical part. Well good luck with it, hope you get it fixed soon.

Edited June 28, 200718 yr by Dodgefan

No, I'm pretty sure mine is OBDI. I've already taken it to my uncle's garage many times and he couldn't hook up his diagnostic reader for this reason.

I'm reading up on it on these Mazda forums...I guess 95's for some reason incorporated a lot of OBDII features, but it isn't 100% compliant with OBDII. Supposedly you do have OBDII ports though...very odd. From there on out they were OBDII.

I'm reading up on it on these Mazda forums...I guess 95's for some reason incorporated a lot of OBDII features, but it isn't 100% compliant with OBDII. Supposedly you do have OBDII ports though...very odd. From there on out they were OBDII.

Where? The only ports/plug ins I know of are under the hood and they're certainly not OBDII. If I could find this supposed OBDII port, I could end this wild goose chase as we have an OBDII diagnostic reader. I can't find anything of the sort under the dash.

Edited June 28, 200718 yr by blackviper8891

Oh Viper... a flashing Check Engine light is not good. A steady light means something should be checked, a flashing light means shut the car down immediately and do not drive it any further. I would call the closest Mazda dealership service department regarding your OBD setup, see if they'd be willing to answer the question of which reader you need and where to plug it in, and is there anything in the owner's manual that could help someone diagnose it for you? Do any of the underhood labels, the emissions label perhaps, say anything about "OBDII certified"?

Edited June 28, 200718 yr by ocnblu

Oh Viper... a flashing Check Engine light is not good. A steady light means something should be checked, a flashing light means shut the car down immediately and do not drive it any further. I would call the closest Mazda dealership service department regarding your OBD setup, see if they'd be willing to answer the question of which reader you need and where to plug it in, and is there anything in the owner's manual that could help someone diagnose it for you? Do any of the underhood labels, the emissions label perhaps, say anything about "OBDII certified"?

Obviously.. I was being sarcastic. I made sure to check all the vital fluids and other things before driving it, but I found nothing out of the ordinary and it seemed to be running fine. Either way, I didn't have much of a choice but to limp it home since I was literally in the middle of nowhere with no nearby houses and I had no service on my cell phone. Not to mention it was storming and I was bring food home.

I certainly need to find out about the OBD setup. I'm going to do another lengthy search under the hood and beneath the dashboard for any plug ins.

I know this sounds simple, but when did it last get a fuel filter?

Where? The only ports/plug ins I know of are under the hood and they're certainly not OBDII. If I could find this supposed OBDII port, I could end this wild goose chase as we have an OBDII diagnostic reader. I can't find anything of the sort under the dash.

I believe there should be a port underneath you steering column, or on/under the kick panel to the right of your right foot, or somewhere in that general vicinity.

I'm looking at this, btw...seems to be a lot of confusion on the matter....

http://forums.mazdaworld.org/index.php?sho...rt=#entry383365

I know this sounds simple, but when did it last get a fuel filter?

Not since I've bought it.

I believe there should be a port underneath you steering column, or on/under the kick panel to the right of your right foot, or somewhere in that general vicinity.

I'm looking at this, btw...seems to be a lot of confusion on the matter....

http://forums.mazdaworld.org/index.php?sho...rt=#entry383365

I did find it... It's hidden way up under there. Couldn't pull any codes, though, my check engine light decided to go off when I started tinkering around.

Replace the fuel filter, BV. Even if it isn't the problem, it needs to be done and I'm guessing that it might just do the trick.