I need your help guys. Has anybody besides me had an occurence of engine hesitation or "sputtering' between 3000 and 3500 rpm with the Mazdaspeed Protege? If so does anybody know what the fix for this is?

I have a 2003 Mazdaspeed with that same problem! It's intermittant, but it will happen at least once per trip. I've been back to the dealer who said they ran a diagnostic, found a code for misfire, then replaced the ignition wires. The problem was still there. I called them back and said it wasn't fixed. They said it was normal for the car... uh-oh, that doesn't sound good! So I went to another dealer who said it was an air intake tube missing and he'll order one. That doesn't sound likely to me but we'll see. That's all I have for now. Did you make any progress on your car?

Bad plug wires will normally cause a noticeable stumble or miss upon light acceleration.

Hi Everybody,

Mazda dealers really sucks your case. This is the one of the worse dealer service I ever experienced.

I have the same problem in acceleration with my 1998 626 V6. Between 3300rpm and 3800 rpm engine hesitated. I saw someone on the net writting that the hot temperature under the hood caused the problem, and that some cheap spark plug won't support. So check it when cold it may be just the heat.

Ive changed everyting new NGK wire, spark plugs (best on the market bosh +4 (I recommand them for your problem it as help to reduced drasticly the hesitation). But still when the engine is hot you can fell a little hesitation.

But now him sick of looking for that problem. Many garage work on it but found nothing. Trust yourself, mazda dealer GET LOST!!!!!!!!.

*** My english is bad I lived in a french area in Québec, sorry for that ***

*** By the way, If anyone can help to solved my problem please send me a email.

Regards,

Sylvain

My mazdaspeed sputters as well at that RPM Range. I believe it may be due to some type of fuel mixture problem. I found a website that has some quick and cheap addons that I believe may handle this problem. I haven't had the time to research it fully yet but here's the site. Hope it helps...
http://www.joepmbc.com/mazdaspeed.htm