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1992 Mazda Protege Consumer Discussions
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Mazda Protegé
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1992 Protege Emission failing
I have a 1992 Mazda protege 1.8L Manual Transmission. First Emission test HC Cruise limit 170 pass at 98, Idle limit 220 pass at 198. CO Cruise Limit 1.2 pass at 0.33, Idle limit 1.2 failed at 1.79. After I replace spark plus (found one cracked when I took it out), replace Rotor and Distributors. I did not replace Wires, they are fairly new-3 years and in great condition. But second ... Read More
Mazda Protege Maintenance and Repair
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Audproge ...
I recently traded in my 2000 Protege ES for a 2005 Mazda3. I still hang out here, though, and answer questions when I can. My 2000 Protege was my third Protege (the first two were 1992s), and I put 91,100 miles on it before trading it for the 3. To get to the point ... About a year after I bought my Protege, Mazda issued a recall for the ignition coil. ... Read More
Mazda Protege Basic Maintenance Questions
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Tire Noise
I just recently acquired a 2001 Mazda Protege ES from my mother. It has 98K miles and it is excellent condition (it has all the options, side air bags, ABS, sunroof, 6CD changer). I bought this car new in 2001 and sold this car to my mother in 2004 with 68K miles. I noticed then that the car was very loud on the highway and the noise was very pronounced in ... Read More
Mazda Protege Maintenance and Repair
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Plug wires, plug wires, PLUG WIRES!!!
Anyone who's been hanging around here a few years knows I've been on my soapbox about Protege plug wires for YEARS. I owned two 1992 Protege LX's and a 2000 ES, and right now a 2002 Protege5 and a 2005 Mazda3 are in my driveway. Because of their engine design, with the plugs down inside little tunnels inside the valve cover, and the fact that there's a lot of heat down ... Read More
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Re: Mazda protege SE 1992 won't start [mycar70]
I am having the exact same problem with my 94 protege dx. Have youe figured this out yet?
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Mazda protege SE 1992 won't start
Hello everyone, I have a 1992 Mazda Protege SE that I bought 1 month ago, two days ago when I started my car down the road it was pulling back as if it wanted to stop untill I changed from D to 2nd( it is an automatic) it stopped. But when I parked it at my destination and decided I wanted park it well, it would not start. I left it ... Read More
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1992 Protege Transmission Problems
I have a 1992 Mazda Protege and I just had the transmission rebuilt for the second time at 238,000 miles. For the most part it works great other than the fact that it shifts hard or clunks out of 2nd gear. Once out of 2nd gear everything is fine. Our mechanic is baffled. He rebuilt the transmission at 80,000 miles and we never had any problems. Any suggestions as to what ... Read More
Mazda Protege Accessories and Modifications
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Where can I buy a body kit for 1992 mazda protege?
I've been searching for 3 months, ever since i bought the car off my friend cause i wanted a manual. I was able to find everything i wanted except for a body kit, and a wrx sti carbon fiber hood replica, my friend said i can put it on there. If your reading this and your wondering if i know about cars, yes i'm a idiot, i really don't know and ... Read More
Mazda Protegé
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BTW, now that I've had both ...
... well, actually, several (2 1992 LXs, 1 2000 ES and now a 2005 3 hatch), I can tell you where the difference really lies. The '92s and the '00 handled very well, but the 3 has much more power. But the REAL difference lies in the handling at speed -- if you visit the site hosted by the engineers who designed the 3 ... http://www.mazda.com/product/mazda3/4a/2w/story1_1.html ... you'll note that, after ... Read More
Mazda Protege Maintenance and Repair
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Re: Sounds to me like a moisture problem. [badgerg]
I'm on the other side of town, in Midlothian -- but right now I'm halfway to your place, working in the Suntrust building downtown. I've owned two 1992 Protege LX's and a 2000 Protege ES in my past; now I'm driving a 2005 Mazda3S wagon. My wife drives a 2002 Protege5. So you might call us Mazda fanatics. :) Meade
Mazda Protegé
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Why'd I buy a Protege?
No brainer. I'd owned two 1992 LXs, one of which saved my life in a hydroplaning accident. And both (the first one up until its demise at 28,000 miles, and the second until I traded it at 83,000 miles) were completely and totally trouble-free. My current Protege, a 2000 ES 5-speed, just crossed 85,000 miles this morning. My wife drives a 2002 Protege5 with just over 40,000 miles on it. Mazda ... Read More
Mazda Protege5
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Re: My Experience: [122856]
Lee ... I noticed from your profile that you live in Richmond. I do too. I drive a 2000 Protege ES and my wife drives a 2002 Protege5, both of which we bought from Whitten Mazda over on Midlothian Turnpike. I've been a very satisfied Whitten customer since 1991 and have owned two 1992 Proteges and a B2300 pickup from that dealership too. We should hook up! Meade
Mazda Protege Maintenance and Repair
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Ben ...
That's like asking the proverbial question, "Mr. Owl, how many licks DOES it take to get to the bottom of a Tootsie Pop?" The world may never know. However, as the former owner of two '92s and now an '00 and an '02, and a veteran Edmunds member, I can offer the following enlightenment from a post made on this same discussion four years ago (which you could have found yourself, ... Read More
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Okie-dokey, where did my post go?
I made a nice, lengthy reply to Curious yesterday, and even checked to make sure it was there, and it was. Now it's gone. C'mon, Edmunds, get your act together!!! Here we go again. The wires are about $60 from Mazda. They take about two minutes to install and require no tools other than your hands. Don't waste another $50 or $60 paying your dealer's labor charges for this plug-n-play job. ... Read More
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100,000 Miles Update
Well, the wife finally passed 100,000 miles on our 1999 Protege ES 5-speed. The car has been very reliable. Outside of regular maintenance items (brakes, oil, filters, plug wires, etc.), the only real issue was having to replace the alternator around 65,000 mils (if I recall correctly). But, other Mazdas I've owned (1986 626 and 1992 Protege) have had similar life expectancies on their alternators, but rarely other problems. The only ... Read More
Mazda Protegé
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no title
The 1993-2002 4 cyl. 626 and 2002-2003 Protegé all share the FS-DE 2.0l engine. It has certainly changed since it was first introduced with the 626 in late 1992 (it produces more horsepower, no longer has hydraulic lash adjusters, etc.). And the Protegé must have some additional differences (such as the annoying cause of the "cold engine rattle," VTCS) because the 2002 626 was not ULEV whereas the 2002 Protegé was. ... Read More
Mazda Protege Maintenance and Repair
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Chris and Martin ...
Chris ... Thanks for the info. About how much were those bushings to replace? Martin ... Wow, your story sounds strangely familiar. This isn't my first Mazda, or Protege, either. In fact it's my third (or my fourth if you count my wife's 2002 Protege5, which I own by association, lol). My first, a 1992 LX automatic (they didn't come in ES trim then; LX was top of the line) died ... Read More
Mazda Protege5 Maintenance and Repair
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Re: Clutch chatter TSB (post 676)
The clutch chatter (actually it slips for the first few engagements on cold, damp mornings) has been a "feature" of my 2000 Protege ES since I bought it in May 2000. I inquired about it way back then and was told it was an "idiosyncracy" of the clutch design, and I had no reason to disbelieve this explanation since my 1992 LX, which I bought new in September 1992, did it ... Read More
Mazda Protegé
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Well, that "clutch chatter" ...
... was labeled as a "Protege idiosyncracy" by both my dealer's service writer and a Mazda certified mechanic who's also a personal friend on both my 1992 LX and my 2000 ES. The '92 went 83,000 miles before trade-in, and my '00 has gone 70,800 miles so far -- and neither car had/has clutch problems. The "chatter," while noticeable on cold starts on wet mornings, has never, ever been anything more ... Read More
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Well ... as my sales manager promised ...
My Mazda dealer received its first shipment of Mazda3's about three hours ago, and my sales manager kept his promise and called me about five minutes after the truck arrived! Woo-HOOOOOO!!! I'm off work in ten minutes, digital camera in hand. But not only to take pics -- I'm gonna drive one of these puppies! As a Protege owner since 1992 (1992 LX, 2000 ES, 2002 Protege5), maybe I can give ... Read More
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Garth ...
That, or have a kid! That'll plant you on your posterior for a while! Even now that our son is two and we're going places, we still eat dinners at home and find more things to do around the house than we used to when it was just my wife and me. Buying a house actually started this trend -- when you live in a dumpy apartment with rap-loving neighbors you ... Read More
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Well, I really don't know why we're going on with this ...
Seems kinda dead horse material to me ... but since you brought it up ... I don't really put much stock in those quality surveys because of their limited scope. I go by personal experience. Here's mine: 1992 Protege - flawless until it got totaled at 28,000 miles. 1992 Protege No. 2 - flawless. Traded for Mazda B2300 pickup (aka "Ford Ranger") at 83,000 miles. 1994 B2300 pickup -- I have ... Read More
Mazda Protege Maintenance and Repair
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Replies
mdaffron, Yes, I remember you. Life has been a whirlwind of job changes and family events and I've had little time to visit Edmunds. The current job is so demanding I am about to lose my mind! About the alternator, I had it replaced by a non-Mazda garage. The alternator cost about $210, with about $75 labor. I also wish I had never traded my 1992 Protege! It was problem-free for ... Read More
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1999 Protege ES 5-speed Update
I haven't posted here in about 1 1/2 years so I thought I'd give an update now. The Protege used to be my car, bought it new in 1999, but now my wife drives it most of the time. I now drive a 2001 Hyundai Elantra GT and love it - not knocking the Protege though! Our 1999 Protege ES 5-speed (last year for 1.8 liter DOHC engine) is doing very ... Read More
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Reply to # 1562:
I used to own a 1992 Mazda Protege LX with a 1.8 litre DOHC engine. I experienced the problem with the spark plug wires suddenly when the car had about 52K miles. No prior problems, just sudden stumbling on light acceleration one day. I was warned by the dealer that these cars need spark plug wire replacement every 60K miles or so due to extreme heat generated in the spark plug ... Read More
Does the Protege compare in reliability to Civic or Corolla?
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I thought we were comparing RELIABILITY here.
What's the big deal with sales numbers in Canada vs. the U.S.? Or sales numbers at all for that matter? What the heck does that have to do with the title of this discussion? You guys wanna get back on track and stop this incessant, never-ending and never-gonna-end Honda vs. Toyota vs. Mazda war? It ain't never gonna have a winner ... I've owned three Proteges (actually four, if you count ... Read More
Mazda Protegé
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What should I know? by thais1
Edmunds.com has suggested a price (TMV) for a 1992 Mazda Protegé 4 Dr LX Sedan like this: Mileage: 140,000 Condition: Average Retail Base Price $2,200 Mileage Adjustment $-540 Total Suggested price: $1,660 Thais 1, Before you get emotionally attached to the car have it checked out by a trusted mechanic. Offer a $1000, and see if you can steal it for that. Don't pay more than $1,500 for a car with ... Read More
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Pete ... What size are your wheels?
If they're 15s, you can do what I did and plus-zero your next tires and get a set of Dunlop SP Sport A2s in 205/50HR15. After 6,000 miles, these things still stick to the road like glue even in a downpour. I can't praise them enough (as you may have noticed). Meade P.S. Unfortunately, I don't think Mazda's listening. They've been putting Poortenzas on their cars at least since my first ... Read More
Mazda Protege5
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Cappy ...
I have a 2000 ES 5-speed, and yes, my clutch slips in the morning for the first one or two engagements, especially when it has rained overnight or the air is humid. It always goes away after the first one or two engagements. This is a well-known quirk of Mazda clutches (even experienced in the Miata), and it's been talked about at length over on the Protege discussion several times in ... Read More
Mazda Protegé
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LerVal ...
Let me be the first to congratulate you on a great choice of car! I drive a 2000 ES and my wife drives a 2002 Protege5. Counting those, I've had four Proteges since 1992. Great, great cars, and I've never had any unscheduled maintenance problems with any of them. That said, I don't know what the current state of incentives & rebates are; I do know that Mazda typically jacks up ... Read More
Mazda Protege Maintenance and Repair
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Update - 63,000 miles on 99 ES
Well, I must say that Mazda timed their warranty pretty wisely from a financial standpoint. My wife's 1999 ES 5-speed did fine through 60,000 miles (except for need for new water pump at 3,000 miles). However, the alternator just died (and it took the stock battery with it). The only alternator I could find was an original Mazda remanufactured one that cost me $196. A factory new Mazda alternator would have ... Read More
Mazda Protegé
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John ...
Sorry to hear about your problems. But if you read a few of our posts prior to posting, which apparently you didn't, you'd see that your woes are uncommon. My 2000 ES just passed 38,000 trouble-free miles. It appears you're still under warranty. Keep after them -- or try another dealer -- until it's fixed. BTW, what's with the references to Ford? Don't you know where your own car was built, ... Read More
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George (libaryuser) ...
Congrats on your Protege purchase. My wife just bought a 2002 Protege5, and I drive a 2000 Protege ES 5-speed. I owned two 1992 Protege LXs in the past, so we're on our third and fourth Proteges. When I bought my 2000 ES back in May 2000, I purchased the TotalCare 5 year, 100,000-mile warranty with a $50 deductible. I paid about $750 for it. My wife bought her Protege5 back ... Read More
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I wholeheartedly agree, David!
Here's the history of the clutches in the new cars I've owned so far: 1988 Hyundai Excel: 117,000 miles 1992 Mazda Protege LX: 83,000 miles 1994 Mazda B2300SE pickup: 114,000 miles 2000 Mazda Protege ES: 34,500 miles Each vehicle (except the current one, of course) was traded in on the next one in the list at the mileage indicated. I've never replaced a clutch or had any transmission-related problems. If anything, ... Read More
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Rbrooks///Smooth...it's not the engine!!!
All the engines in this class of car are Buzzy at 5,000+ rpm. Every small bloc 4 cylinder engine is. My WRX is buzzy, a Civic SiR is considered buzzy, the same applies to the Celica GTS. My point was in how the powerband and the engine were engineered to perform at that RPM. For instance, the powerband in the Corolla and the new Civic are geared so that they are ... Read More
Mazda Protege5
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Paul ... re: "real" valet key
I'm always whining about the "cheaping-out" of the Protege as each new generation has come out (well, I guess until the 2001s showed up and they put back things like 4-wheel discs, lighted ignition key, etc.), but now I'll whine again: My 1992 LX had a "real" valet key. And the seat backs had locks on their backs. So the valet key only opened the car's doors -- not the trunk. ... Read More
Mazda Protegé
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Why the hell does everyone jump ship ...
... when they have one (albeit major) problem with their car? Larry, have you considered taking your wife's Protege to another Mazda dealer for a "second opinion?" I don't know much about automatic transmissions (I drive a 5-speed myself), but I DO know that a solenoid is nothing but an electromagnetically activated switch. You've got to replace the entire tranny because a damned SWITCH went bad in it somewhere??? What -- ... Read More
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Ron ...
I can't speak for the 2.0, since I have a 2000 ES 5-speed with the 1.8. But you need to realize that the pre-2001 1.8 is the same engine; the 2.0s are just bored out a little more. In fact, while the pre-2001s are called 1.8s, they're really 1,839cc engines, and the newer 2.0s are actually 1,991 cc's. So there's really only about a 150cc difference in engine size. In fact, ... Read More
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Dinu, elec and Larry ...
I'm here. I don't call my car anything other than a funny version of "Mazda," usually when I'm bending through some twisties or having some other kind of fun. It sounds kind of like "Mazzza." Elec ... Before 1994, Mazda didn't have a logo. The name was the logo. (I had two 1992 Proteges. No logos. Just name badges.) Larry ... I'm surprised I haven't heard from you. I'm red in ... Read More
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Symbol
I just searched the 'net and found that Mazda had a weird symbol that may be the one that Duhster is talking about. It is a diamond inside a circle (1992). Later, it was changed to the circle and a vertical line inside of a larger circle. I just searched "mazda symbol history" and found it. Not that it matters....I could not find the eagle though.
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Protege
mother in law has had a protege, DX, 1997 model, since June 1998. It has had the following problems 1)Heater died at 64,000 miles..just this week 2) radio replaced 2x other than this, it is a nice car(engine could be more powerful,like the newer ones are). My mother in law,though, swears that the car is inferior to her old 1992 Cavalier, which also had problems, like alternator left her stranded when ... Read More
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Mike ...
I'm never gonna make my 2 o'clock meeting, LOL! The Protege is built almost entirely of Mazda parts in Japan. I've had three, and my most recent one, a 2000 ES, has 97 percent Japanese parts content. (Said so on the sticker.) And I think the 3 percent other stuff is stuff like seat fabric etc. The important stuff (forward of the firewall) is all Japanese. My first Protege died in ... Read More
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Good morning everyone!
Well, it's nice to see we're all still friends. I thought I'd be reading a lot of hate mail this morning following my hard-cutting, highly opinionated dissertation yesterday afternoon. I agree that there are good reasons to have ABS ... I just think the complexity and cost outweigh those reasons. And to whoever it was who said air bags are great too ... my answer is, I totaled my 1992 Protege ... Read More
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Jerry ...
It was I, my dear, dear friend, who recommended the Yoko AVID T4s as a replacement tire. Let me speak for myself here, since some people get really irritated when others say "some people" this and "most people" that: I purchased my Protege because it's a sporty-feeling, fast, handsome economy sedan. I can get a thrill without feeling like I bought a 1985 Toyota Corolla (and the associated lobotomy). One thing ... Read More
Mazda Protege Maintenance and Repair
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Tom ...
The answer for me is a definite YES. I just had the tires on my 2000 ES rotated yesterday. I have 24,500 miles on them and I have rotated them religiously. Even after rotation they sound terrible. If you've been reading the Mazda Protege topic for the last little while, I'm the guy who totaled his 1992 Protege with the exact same tires -- Bridgestone Poortenzas -- at 28,000 miles. With ... Read More
Mazda Protege5
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Mark and vocus ...
I can tell you what that little square is on the back of the center console, because I used to have a 1992 LX (before my 2000 ES) and they've trimmed down some of the items that used to come standard. It's a pop-out cover for what USED TO BE a small ashtray for the rear-seat occupants. You'll notice that since smoking is not P.C. anymore, there are no accommodations for ... Read More
Mazda Protegé
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Jerrold ...
OK, I am speaking for myself here ... do any of you guys really think I'd want to speak for you?! You asked if the Proteges have been that good; here comes my personal history, and I feel I probably have the most experience with Proteges on this topic: Protege No. 1: 1992 LX automatic. Top-of-the-line back then; there were no ES models. I had every option except the sunroof. No ... Read More
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MAPP Update
I am posting the following message here and on the Protege5 topic, so excuuuuuuuuuse me if some of this looks like old news! MAPP II -- The Sequel The second-annual Mid-Atlantic Protege Picnic (MAPP II) will take place Saturday, October 6, 2001, at a park in Northern Virginia. For those of you who attended last year, it's the same place as last year. For security purposes, we're only going to share ... Read More
Mazda Protege5
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How 'bout a get-together? Read on ...
MAPP II -- The Sequel The second-annual Mid-Atlantic Protege Picnic (MAPP II) will take place Saturday, October 6, 2001, at a park in Northern Virginia. For those of you who attended last year, it's the same place as last year. For security purposes, we're only going to share the location with confirmed attendees via direct e-mail. I would like to greet our new friends on the Protege5 topic and hope that ... Read More
Mazda Protegé
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Just bought a 96 Protege ES
Upgraded from my 1992 Honda Prelude, I bought a 96 Mazda protege ES. Wow! What a car. It feels like this has more power than the Prelude. When I put my foot to the gas, it doesn't hesitate to get up and go. Zoom Zoom! Now I know where they get that from! It is a lot more roomier than my old prelude. I don't know if the Japanese made these ... Read More
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My Proteges' histories:
Protege No. 3: 2000 Mazda Protege ES 5-speed Purchased: May 2000 Whitten Brothers Jeep/Chrysler/Mazda Richmond, Virginia Non-preventive maintenance: 2,000 miles: Replaced plastic clip holding trunk springs under rear parcel shelf, under warranty. (Um, I broke it by trying to slide too tall a box into the trunk, and they still fixed it under warranty!) 16,000 miles: Replaced CD player, again under warranty. (Cause: I placed a CD with a label on ... Read More
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James, Wil, Pat and Paul ...
Wow, one night passes and I've got all this stuff to reply to! Here goes ... James ... Yes, my mom went to VCU when it was RPI. You have dated yourself! BTW, you didn't mention where you live in NC. Maybe close enough that we can get together sometime. I'm on Monument Ave. almost every day. I grew up in the West End and commuted to VCU daily on my ... Read More
Mazda Protege Basic Maintenance Questions
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Yes, Paul, our A/C systems rule.
My 2000 was cranking out the arctic blast too on Monday, when it hit 91 in Richmond! Just wait till you see yours peeing all over the driveway during our guaranteed-to-be-swelteringly-humid summer. I don't know what Mazda did between 1992 and 2000, but I'm sure glad they did it. My 1992 Protege LX's A/C gave up over about 85 degrees and just wouldn't keep the car cool. Meade
Mazda Protegé
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Jumpmom...
Lynn, the auto buying process can become very stress full, it is a VERY big commitment of cash. If you have some time,... take a little time. You already are doing a great job, with your research by visiting Edmunds Town Hall. Taking a little extra time to make your final choice will help in two ways. 1. With the arrival of extra shoppers in the dealerships during the income tax ... Read More
Mazda Protege Owners: Meet the Members
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Like Pete ... My third Protege!
Hey everybody! I'm on my third Protege too, although not really by choice -- my first one, a 1992 LX, died at 28,000 miles when its crappy Bridgestone POORtenza tires hydroplaned and caused it to rear-end a mid-80s Volvo station wagon (aka "brick wall") at a traffic light. He was going 0; I was going 45. That Protege totaled itself so I could WALK AWAY from the accident. The second Protege ... Read More
Mazda Protegé
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Plug wires and other observations ...
Hey guys ... don't go to your Mazda dealer for plug wires! Get a good set from NAPA! I got a set for my '92 LX from NAPA for $45 -- much cheaper than the $75 my dealer wanted at the time! And they actually looked more substantial than the OEM wires I replaced them with. Paul buddy ... I've been reading your posts over the past week or so, and ... Read More
Mazda Protege Maintenance and Repair
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Please help.. my mechanic doesn't have a clue
I have a very weird problem with my air conditioning on Mazda Protege 1992. It works for a minute or two than it blows a fuse marked "AD FAN". When the fuse is blown the compressor doesn't work. Can anyone diagnose this problem?? It is muggy where I live. Thank you very much. Your quick help is very appreciated.
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