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Mazda Protege Maintenance and Repair

3738 messages,  Last post on Apr 23, 2013 at 10:59 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda Protege, Sedan

Messages Page 220 of 374

#2188 of 3738 Thumping, popping, clicking by jjn

Jun 24, 2004 (7:34 pm)

I have had my 2001 Protege LXII at the dealership 4 times for the same problem. Each time they say 'cannot duplicate problem'..Then I drive with them and magically they know what it...They have replaced the sway bar bushings, rods and struts. NONE of this has resolved the problem...They insist the car is safe but will not put that in writing.
 
Here is the situation..After the car is driven a while and the temperature outside is on the hot side, all of a sudden as you are driving or coasting to a stop, the popping sound comes form what appears to be in the front..It happens also just getting in and out of the car. It sounds like 2 pieces of something are rubbung together and then pop apart. If you rock the car you can hear it too. After the car is parked either overnight or for a couple of hours, then if you drive the noise goes away until after the car is driven several miles. I have duplicated this symtom over 6 times for the dealer and yet they cannot fix it.
 
Mazda tech support has been of no help and now the dealer says bring it in again and we can look at it.
They have done this 4 times...I am losing vacation time from work and becoming very frustrated.
 
Any ideas of what this noise is and how to fix it?..I would like to be able to do the dealers' diagnostic job for them by seeing if anyone out there can help.
 
thanks,
 
joe

#2189 of 3738 Re: Thumping, popping, clicking [jjn #2188] by arabam

Jun 25, 2004 (5:10 pm)

Replying to: jjn (Jun 24, 2004 7:34 pm)
The "clunking" that I complained about in Message #2184 is also getting worse in hot weather. One other thing I realized is that the clunking has gotten worse after I had my Potenzas replaced with Yokohamas; kept the same size etc.
 
... similar to your situation my last two trips to the repair shop did not change a thing; and they keep on telling me that "may be rotors - but everything else looks fine!".
 
It is really annoying because it basically sounds like something will fail very soon; all the joy of driving is gone!

#2190 of 3738 Re: Thumping, popping, clicking [arabam #2189] by jjn

Jun 26, 2004 (3:41 pm)

Replying to: arabam (Jun 25, 2004 5:10 pm)
Hi,
 
I really do not think it is your tires. I also had new tires put on....Noise still there. And it does happen more when the car is warm and the outside temp is warm to hot. There are many times that it took me upwards of 5 to 6 tries to get a problem fixed with this car.
 
Yhe dealer tells me that even tho I have an extended warranty, that dealer is absorbing the cost of diagnosing the proble. And that since they feel the car is fine, they mayneed to charge for the diagnosis...Well, my opinion is that it is not the customer's fault that the dealer is unable to fix a problem because of poor diagnostics.
 
The dealer has told me that they do want to resolve the problem but are at a losss as to what to try next. I have attempted to contact Mazda direct but they will NOT speak to a customer regarding technical problems. I find this unacceptable, but, it is difficult to speak to someone who will not speak to you.
 
I am hoping that if enough people start complaining about this problem then maybe Mazda corp will listen.
 
So, if anyone else is having the same 'clinking' noise and are concerned for their safety, then please keep on the dealership and continue to contact Mazda.
 
With that said, does anyone have any idea how this thumping can be corrected?
 
joe

#2191 of 3738 Re: Thumping, popping, clicking [jjn #2188] by jrdwyer

Jun 27, 2004 (8:53 am)

Replying to: jjn (Jun 24, 2004 7:34 pm)
My '95 LX (174K miles) has also been making the same type of sounds you mention when braking to a stop for the last 8 months or so. I just had my fourth set of tires put on last week and I know the problem is not tire related and the shop also gave the brakes an "all good" report. In an earlier post someone mentioned a poor design in the caliper brake sleeves causing a "clunking." Also, my brake rotors are still the originals but the pads were replaced at around 120K miles. I don't feel it is warped rotors because I don't get any pulsing feel when braking. But something is definitely binding or moving improperly in the system and I hope to get this fixed as noises like this annoy me even if they are considered normal.

#2192 of 3738 Tranmission, Power Steering Fluid, and Brakes by hobbs03

Jun 30, 2004 (6:10 pm)

I've got 32k on my 01 LX 2.0. I just replaced the plugs and oil.
 
When should I replace the tranny and power steering fluid?
 
Also, when I get the brakes done, is it necessary for them to turn the rotors or can I just have them replace the break pads?
 
Thanks for any input

#2193 of 3738 hobbs. by mazdafun

Jul 04, 2004 (4:49 am)

I change my AT fluid every 3 years. I average less than 10k miles a year.
 
I'm not sure about the power steering fluid. I don't think I've ever changed mine in any of my vehicles (not that it shouldn't be done).
 
Turning rotors at a brake job depends on how smooth they are. Most auto mfrs do have a smoothness spec, but I've skipped turning rotors if I thought the rotor surfaces felt fairly smooth to the touch. These days though, rotors seem to be made of softer steel, so you may as well have them machined down smooth as you'll likely replace them with every other set of pads.

#2194 of 3738 brakes problem by deweb

Jul 04, 2004 (12:11 pm)

when driving my 1992 protege in stop and go traiff my brkes locks up . change pads ;calitpor rotors still my front brakes lock up.

#2195 of 3738 Chat lineup for Tuesday by pf_flyer HOST

Jul 06, 2004 (4:16 am)

Be sure to check out our Town Hall chat lineup for Tuesday evenings... First up, talk the latest in new automotive technology during the Hybrid Vehicles Chat from 5-6pmPT/8-9pm ET
 
Hybrid Vehicles Chat Room
 
Immediately following at 6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET, we keep the chat party going with the Mazda Mania chat.
 
Mazda Mania Chat Room
 
The Town Hall chats are a great place to take these message board topics LIVE. Hope to see you there this week!
 
PF Flyer
Host
Pickups & News & Views Message Boards

#2196 of 3738 AC light... by blueguydotcom

Jul 06, 2004 (2:15 pm)

I've moaned about my underpowered AC before but Friday on the drive home I couldn't get the AC to turn on. Warm air and the little button's light wouldn't go. Five minutes of fiddling with it and suddenly cool air came out once more.
 
I'm near due for an oil change so this might be a good time to get Mazda to take a look at my AC and its connections. Bummer

#2197 of 3738 Re: hobbs. [mazdafun #2193] by hobbs03

Jul 07, 2004 (2:29 pm)

Replying to: mazdafun (Jul 04, 2004 4:49 am)
Thanks for the response.
 
Not to keep hammering, but when you get it replaced are they doing a "flush" or just draining. The reason I ask is that the shop I take my car to offers a flush for $180 v. a "drain" for about $80. They say the flush hooks up some pump to get all the AT fluid out whereas the drain doesnt get everything.
 
ALso, I asked Mazda customer service about the PS fluid and they said that it doesn't need to be replaced, just monitor the level.
 
Thanks again for your input

Messages Page 220 of 374

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