My Protege started having problems very unexpectedly. I was driving it normally and it suddenly started lurching--the RPMs dropped down to zero from 2K, and the car stalls and will not re-start immediately (I usually have to wait 10 minutes or so to re-start, and after driving for a little while longer, the cycle repeats). I replaced the fuel filter fearing that it was a fuel delivery problem. This did nothing to fix the problem. I took it to my mechanic and he diagnosed it as an ignition problem. After a new igniter, coil and distributor, and a new battery, the problem is still there. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Remove the rear seat bottom and inspect the fuel pump connector under the seat. If it has discolored terminals replace the fuel pump and pressure regulator.

i have a 92 protege with almost same problem. mine cuts off at whatever speed or even while standing still. but this happens only after the engine reaches operating temperature. the tach instantly drops to zero. lots of mechanics have said it is ignition problem but am still waiting to confirm before taking to garage (where i cannot make it die anyway!) as ignition parts are quite expensive. if i may ask, what did you pay for distribitor, coil and igniter? i posted my problem on this same site at:

http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/thread?forumid=15854&messageid=1058226369&lp=1058290679

i cleared the codes from computer and drove it around till it gave the same problem again. this time it gave codes 2 and 3 (distributor ne and gnd or PCM circuitry).

i am planning to replace the hall sensor inside the distributor, i doubt if any mechanic would do what i tell him. most of them make up their own mind about what to replace.

Thanks, I was planning on investigating the fuel pump next. I was advised to have the mechanic check the fuel pressure as well.

sasi,

i paid close to 600 for everything, incl labor. this is a lot but considering they replaced the whole distributor for 400, i'm not complaining. still, the car doesn't run reliably... any more suggestions? i will check out the link you provided, thanks.

600 $ incl. labor is very good. let me ask you this:
does the stalling happen within 5 - 10 mins of starting
the engine or pretty much anytime randomly. bcoz for
me it definitely happens with first 5 - 10 mins. after
that, if the car starts, its very unlikely to happen
again.

also, when it stops i try to restart it with gas pressed mid to all the way down. this seems to restart the car quicker.

i am planning to get the airflow duct/throttle body
examined/cleaned. sometimes problems with air intake could make the car run so rich that fuel would foul
the plugs.

Mine stalls very randomly. It will run fine, and then suddenly begin lurching and stall out. I do have a hard time re-starting, and often have to wait for a while (10 min or more) before it'll start again. Once it does re-start, it is very likely to run ok for a few minutes and begin the whole process over again.

I'm getting the fuel system checked to make sure there isn't a pressure problem, but I'll also see about the air flow. Thanks for the tip.

We've worked a bit more on the stalling problem, and here's what we've checked so far without finding any probable culprits:

1. Throttle position sensor
2. Mass air flow sensor
3. Idle speed control
4. O2 sensor
5. Coolant sensor
6. Solenoid valve for fuel pressure regulator

None of these showed problems. We also checked the fuel pump connection, and it does not look discolored, and seems to be running fine.

The problem continues to be erratic and intermittent. It's very temperamental, and there is no telling when it will just cut out on me.

Any further suggestions would make me ease up on the migraine medicine..

One more thing...

Does anyone know how to read the trouble codes without an OBD tool? Can I just bridge two terminals on the diagnosis port under the hood to activate a blink code sequence?

Jump GRD and TEN. 94 was'nt OBD