Random Stalling/Starting Problem

[BassMaster5000]

About 2 weeks ago, I was taking off in first gear, got to about 3k rpm, and I lost pretty much all "acceleration." I had been driving all day, without any problems. It was like I took my foot off of the gas to slow down, yet I was still pressing the pedal, but no matter how much gas I "tried" giving the engine, the rpm's kept dropping. I tried pushing in the clutch to save it before it stalled, but it was no use, she died. While rolling through the intersection I tried to start the engine back up, but got nothing. I rolled off the side of the rode, took the key out, then replaced it and tried to start the truck again.. Nothing. I ended up having to get towed just down the road to a parking lot where I could leave it over night. Came back the next morning on the way to work to grab my wallet which I forget, and tried to start her up for ****s and giggles. Suprisingly, it started right up, and everything seemed normal, not idling rough, no wierd noises/smells, nothing. I decided take a chance, and drive to work while my friend followed me. I made it fine, and drove it a whole week without problems until the same thing happened again. Driving home from work, made it all the home, pull into a spot, then decide to move because I had parked next to a jackass that didnt care about his car, so I back out, and as soon as I put it in first to take off, she dies. I push in through the parking lot to another spot, same thing as last time, wouldnt start. I tried filling my gas tank, I pulled a spark plug, turned it over, and could smell gas, checked and didnt see a fuel leak, eventually gave up and brought it in to the local Mazda dealership, pretty much only place near me. They had it for 2 days, couldnt find anything wrong, and called me back saying that there was no problems with the truck. Since Ive had it back, (2-3) days, I havent had a problem, but I kno theres got to be something wrong... I searched other forums but didnt find anything like this, so I was wondering if anyone had this happen to them, or had heard of this happeneing..

 

[el_conquistador]

Welsome to the forum. Sorry about your truck. It sounds to me like a computer issue?

 

[Earl43P]

Two things you need to note when it happens.

Keep an old spark plug handy and pull a plug wire, attach the old plug, lay in on some metal and verify spark when you crank it over.

Next (or first), turn the key to RUN (not crank) and listen for the fuel pump to run for 2 seconds. If you don't hear the fuel pump, repeat key to off, key to run. During that key on, also look for the Check Engine Light to be on. If it's not on, fuel pump will not run either.

Report back those results.

 

[dirtsquirt]

Sounds like the TFI is on the way out. gets hot shuts down and when it cools it will run again.

 

[Defective]

I've had a similar intermittent starting/stalling problem myself on a couple occasions.

First one was due to loose fuse in the fuse box. Found it by accident. While the key was in run position, I was doing something with the fuses and when I pushed on the whole box I heard the fuel pump kick on. Found the one that was loose, bent the connectors a bit to make better contact and that was the last of that problem.

The second one was a bad ground connection at the battery. However with this one the engine wouldn't turn over.

Good luck.

 

[BassMaster5000]

Earl43P- The second time it happened, when i pulled the plug, I also checked, and did have a spark. As for the fuel pump, when i turned the key to on, it did show my check engine light, but I did not hear the fuel pump(I dont know if that was due to my bad hearing or the noise around me, but I could have just missed it).

I have heard from a buddy of mine it could be the ecm, but Im not sure about that?

I also checked my fuzes, I had none blown, and after ensuring they were all seated snuggly, it did not start back up.

As for the TFI, how do I go about checking or replacing this?