Odd Problem
 

I have been borrowing a 91 Mazda 626.

It has 260K Miles
5 Speed Manual
2.2 4 cylinder

It decided it did not want to start one day. I try starting it for about 5 minutes then it starts. This happened one other time before it decided it did not want to start anymore. When this happened I thought it may be a fuel problem so I sprayed a little starting fluid in it. It started until the vapors burned off.

Just to check on things, I checked the cap and rotor, and to see how hot the spark was. My girlfriend couldn't see a spark but it was daylight.

Go the other night when it is dark and cold, get spark, and the car starts. Go to take it back to its owner, and the car dies about 5 minutes later going down the road. Coasted in to a parking lot to park the car.


Update:

Got the car fixed about a week ago and thought I would post an update for those that my run into the same issue.

Ignition Module!!!!

Whoever changed it before, didn't use the thermal paste...

So the off chance I got a spark was just a fluke and it decided to go bad completely afterward. In the past when one had went bad, it would work when it was cold but as soon as it warmed up the vehicle would die.

Autozone did not have it, said the part was un-servicable.
Oreilly Auto had it

Had it changed and back together in about 30 minutes. A little tricky to get it out and at the angle needed to pull it out.

Note: Can a mod change the name to No Spark (Solved)? Thanks

Hi Javve03:

There could be a number of problems. First check the Air Intake Hose for cracks. You should take it off and bend it to see if any cracks open up. If there are cracks it will cause a vacuum leak and lean conditions. When the engine rocks back and forth the crack will open and close which makes the condition worse or less so. If there are cracks then wrap the air intake hose with duct tape.

There is a sticky on the Protege forum with lots of hints. Most of these things apply to your friends car too. Here is a link:
https://www.mazdaforum.com/forum/maz...%E9g%E9-31136/

Thank you very much for your response. I will check that thread out as well as look for cracks in the hose. As I check things I will update on here as well. Once I find out what the cause is I'll also post so others that end up with the problem can find it in a search.

Got the car fixed about a week ago and thought I would post an update for those that my run into the same issue.

Ignition Module!!!!

Whoever changed it before, didn't use the thermal paste...

So the off chance I got a spark was just a fluke and it decided to go bad completely afterward. In the past when one had went bad, it would work when it was cold but as soon as it warmed up the vehicle would die.

Autozone did not have it, said the part was un-servicable.
Oreilly Auto had it

Had it changed and back together in about 30 minutes. A little tricky to get it out and at the angle needed to pull it out.