check engine light?

Thanks so much! You guys provide such an excellent resource of knowledge here!

You're welcome.

My check engine light has been on for sometime now, what could be the problem?

Hi there,

What you have to do is go get a scan and read the codes, this will give your mechanic or us an indication as to what is going on, do this and report back with the codes for more information.

mark (mhpautos)

Transmission problem
1994 Mazda Protege 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

I just went to drive to pick up my daughter and the "HOLD" light, tranny overdrive, is blinking on the dash and the check engine light came on. The car will shift from 1st after hitting 4500RPMs then wont shift again. Im not sure if I were to try to drive over 45 mph if it would I didnt take the chance. I checked the Transmission fluid level and it is full, but there are "bubbles" on the dipstick. It might even look a little too full.

Hi brinnymarie,

Thank you for the donation.

An error has been detected in the engine and transmission management system and a scanner is required to retrieve the trouble code to proceed with rectification.

For both CEL and HOLD light to indicate at the same time, possible causes are Vehicle Speed Sensor or Throttle Position Sensor. If the speedometer ia not working then the VSS woud be the likely cause.

You would need to retrieve the trouble code to confirm the cause.

I was just wondering what can cause a check engine light to turn on and off sporadically. Sometimes it will stay on for a long time and then sometimes it is only on for a short while. I just had the spark plugs replaced but the light is still on. As far as I know there isn't anything else wrong with the car. It runs great. I was just wondering what could cause this light to continously come on.

There are hundreds of things that can cause this to occur. When the engine light is illuminated you will need to get the code(s) scanned. Part stores usually do this for free as a way to promote their store. A faulty sensor or wiring is the most common culprit for an engine light to illuminate, however the only way to know for sure is to have it scanned with a diagnostic scanner.





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About two months ago I bought a 94 mazda protege. It worked fine, no unnecessary noises or anything. A couple of weeks ago, it refused to start. The check engine light was on as well. I replaced all four spark plugs, charged the battery, yet it still wouldn't start. When the guy from AAA showed up to tow it, it started for him. At the mechanic's, it started again, and the check engine light did not go on. Took it home, drove to work and back just fine, and the next day it's the same story. Check engine light was on and it wasn't starting. Towed it to the mechanic AGAIN, and it starts for him! Check engine light doesn't come on and the car computer doesn't show any fault code. What could be the problem?

Hi. I have the same problem with my Mazda. It looks like it's overheating or something but it's not showing it. The car stops with check engine and than 15 min later when it's cools off starts again. I've been to 2 car services and they couldn't find the problem. I don't know what to do and it's really annoying.

when i get in my car and start it up sometimes it will start up fine and others it will still start but the idling will go up and down and the check engine light will blink on and off and it will jerk when light comes on and stop when light goes off(check engine light) sometimes it will choke itself out and not start for about 20 to 30 minutes but will start if i rollstart it :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: i have a mazda protege lx 1993 with manuel transmission what could be wrong??????????????????????????????????

your catalytic converter may be clogged or no good, i'd take it to a diagnostic shop and have them get a reading from your pcm, it could also be your pcm ( computer) going out on u

not getting fire out of the coil,tryed 5 differnt coils still no fire,car does turn over,i cheked the ground wires still nothing,the check engine light is on

Have the computer scanned for code/s-you have a problem within the engine management system that caused the CEL to turn on-This is your starting point of diagnosis,finding out what's going on.

I have a 1993 mazda protege on those years i would check the distribur and control module and also fuses and wiring.

you have a 1993 mazda protege coil wont spark try checking ignition module below coil on right side little small black box that is probably why your checkengine light came on because ecm diagnosed trouble in the system.

1991 Mazda Protege
190,000 miles, 1.8 Liter 4 Cylinder

I've been having trouble with my electrical system on my Protege. I've recently had the battery, alternator and battery terminals replaced. Now the 'malfunction indicator' is lighting up, according to my owners manual that means an issue with the electrical system.

When I attempt to start the car it will start, but it often grinds for a moment before starting. It idles a little high, and it's running warmer than usual.

The light flashed on while the car was accelerating, and the car 'slipped' for a moment. After a couple seconds it the car picked back up and the light went off. It happened twice, but the second time was so quick I'm not sure it happened.

Thank you for any help

the "MIL" or check engine light is the PCM telling you it isnt happy with something. Have the PCM scanned for trouble codes. Get back with results and we can go from there, otherwise it would be strictly guessing