2003 Mazda Protege Consumer Discussions

Mazda Protege Maintenance and Repair

Re: mazda protege 2003 died wont start [hooker321]

Written by: cav4 on Oct 22, 2009 04:40 PM

Actually it doesnt make any sound at all doesnt crank, fire. Thanks. I'll try knocking on the starter next. Will check oil again think it was at the most low. Seems like i heard a small noise when it quit originally. Thanks for the response appreciate it. Will report next results. Thanks. Read More...

Re: mazda protege 2003 died wont start [cav4]

Written by: hooker321 on Oct 02, 2009 03:24 PM

Hmnmm Try tapping the starter while someone is turning the key. How was the oil level? Sounds like a crank sensor was knocked off. Its located atop the bottum main pully. A credit card distance away from the teeth used to read the crank timing. Ummm Shut down huh???... Um Altinator No Starter No.... Maybe you broke the timing belt! Open the upper plastic inspection ... Read More...

mazda protege 2003 died wont start

Written by: cav4 on Oct 02, 2009 01:28 PM

Died when driving. engine light went on then died. wont start. doesnt crank. low pitched sound when trying to start. has 220,000 miles and bad seals. Is it solonoid(s), starter, alternator etc? Read More...

Mazda Protege Rust Problems

Quixotic Solution to Mazda Protege Rust?

Written by: autonomous on Sep 17, 2009 11:55 AM

I bought my Mazda Protege5 in July 2003 ... 2 local car repairs ... said it was damaged sometime before ... the panel inside the door wasn't affixed properly and the leaking caused the rusting. (the strip alongside the length of the car is also falling off at the rear) The damage, they said, was most likely caused at the dealer ... Hmm, although this may be true, it ... Read More...

Re: Mazda Protege Rust Problems [icvci]

Written by: devilishangel on Sep 17, 2009 11:21 AM

Hi everyone, I just wanted to post and say that I bought my Mazda Protege5 in July 2003, and have just started having rust problems in the last few months. Rust on the right rear door and my luck, the warranty ran out just right before we got in to see Mazda about all of this. Of course, you know Mazda says they have nothing to do with this, and with no warranty for sure no ... Read More...

Re: only recourse [02mazda]

Written by: kschleic on Sep 02, 2009 02:24 PM

I have a 2003 protege with a rust problem and the hood, roof, and trunk paint faded. The rust spot (paint bubble) is right on top of the wheel well. I, too, baby the car and keep it clean. When I went to the dealer, they treated me like a crook. They pretty much laughed in my face. I have driven mazdas all my life. Well, I just bought a toyota and I will not go back. Read More...

Mazda Protege Maintenance and Repair

2003 mazda protege with only 74k miles

Written by: stmyers on Jul 09, 2009 00:11 PM

I bought my car new in 2003, Ive kind of have had problems with it form day one. but nothing as major as now. My belts broke on my car so I had the car towed to the mechanic and they replaced the belts. I couple weeks later my car over heated on me so I took it back. It turns out my radiator had a leak/crack in it. I had them replace it a mazda radiator and had them pressure test ... Read More...

Buying 2002 or 2003 Protege..Need your ADVICE

Written by: jenni81 on Jul 05, 2009 10:54 PM

Hi, I'm looking into buying a 2002 or 2003 Mazda Protege with around 70,000 miles to get to around while I'm still in college. This will be my first car so I would appreciate some advice on the following: - Is there much difference in reliability between the 2002 and 2003 models? - Are there things in particular I should look for when I go check out the car? I've read ... Read More...

Re: Acceleration problems... [NJStylee]

Written by: bdkay on Jan 04, 2009 06:50 PM

My 2003 Mazda Protege (manual transmission) did not present with acceleration problems but it did have the check engine light come on for 2 years before the problem was nailed down. All the stuff you are talking about is good stuff to do. We had all that and more done. At the end the car was really sucking gas - do you have the problem - and running rough. If yours is doing ... Read More...

Re: 2003 Mazda Protege Fuel Filter [jones6826]

Written by: Mr_Shiftright on Sep 20, 2008 10:34 AM

You need a pressure gauge and proper fittings to break into the fuel injection rail. Then you need to know the specs at cranking and at idle speeds. It's best to have a repair manual to talk you through these procedures, or go to a shop and have the test done. It should read 30 - 36 psi with the fuel pressure regulator connected and 39-45 psi with the fuel pressure regulator ... Read More...