I bought a 1996 Mazda Millenia S miller cycle 2.3L about four months ago. At that time it had 70K miles. Boy does this car have "character". I already am aware of the transmission problems (it doesnt shift in to 3rd or 4th) but have not been told exactly what this malfunction is. It is my understanding that the tranny will have to opened up to know for sure. I am saving $$ to have that don. So I drive in 2nd. But recently, it has done this chugging, jerking thing, and will not accelerate. I notice that my TCS, TCS off and CE light come on right before it does it. Then if I turn the car off and back on it drives fine and the TCS and TCS off light go out. The CE Light stays on for a couple of days the it too goes out. Any thoughts? Also, after it had a episode today, I can not get the ignition to turn to off, so in turn can not get my key out. What is this about?

 

wow, sounds like you got a bad apple, no 3rd and 4th, i think the high clutch pack probably fried in the transmission, did you have some body scan for code since you have check engine light on ? was your trans in park when you try to get the key out ? just checking. good luck

 

I am having the same missing/ tcs problem with my 1995 and was wondering if you found the fix yet?

 

I had the same. It's a very common problem, the TCS thing. I'm no expert but I've done a lot of research - The way I see it is this:-
Basically the car's computer is sensing a problem it sees as serious and doesn't want to be driven till it's fixed - so it uses the TCS function to put it in "limp home mode".
Most times, I believe it's a "vacuum" problem - a hose leak is favourite or it might be an electrical problem with a vacuum solenoid valve, like in my case. (ABV sol v/v "vac" - one of the ones on the bracket at top back of the engine). To check them, check ohms resistance - Autozone's online manual tells you what it should be.
Yours might be similar or it could be the tranny problem that the computer sees as serious enough to pull you up.