Mazda 323 1998 (ZXi V6 2L)

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Wed 8 Nov 2006 13:54
Mazda 323 1998 (ZXi V6 2L) - Jeebs

Recently purchased car with 120,000 miles (cam belt replaced) has engine problems, specifically it keeps on cutting out randomly while driving. Wait a few minutes and the car starts again no problem. The car has been taken to 2 different garages - the latter one being a Mazda approved mechanic - and both have looked at the car and its computer with their diagnostic tools and come up with nothing.

As far as they can make out there is nothing wrong with the car.

I'm a bit stuck as some web searching has revealed a couple of things it *might* be but it's a lot of money to gamble getting some serious work done on the car for it to still not work. Also, I could take it to another garage but I'm concerned they'll just tell me there's nothing wrong with it and charge me an hours labour.

Does anyone know of any problems with this make, and more specfically, with this engine - the 2 litre ZXi?

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this and thanks for any help you can give me. Much appreciated.

Iain
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Wed 8 Nov 2006 17:14
Mazda 323 1998 (ZXi V6 2L) - Kingpin
I am only guessing but perhaps it is some electronic problem, possibly a sensor or wire coming off intermittently. Like a crankshaft sensor. Does it cut out straight away, ie the dashboard lights come on immediately or does it run rough before coming to a stop?
If it starts OK from cold and accelerates with no hesitation then the fuel side sounds OK but if everything stops then it suggests electrics. At that age and miles it may be a multiplug or something that has corroded.
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Wed 8 Nov 2006 18:31
Mazda 323 1998 (ZXi V6 2L) - George Porge
If there's no faults stored in the ecu then I'd look at the ignition switch and engine power relay (if there is one). Do you have a huge bunch of keys attached to the ignition key?
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Wed 8 Nov 2006 20:12
Mazda 323 1998 (ZXi V6 2L) - braindead
sounds like the dissy fault from earlier days (well known)
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Fri 24 Nov 2006 16:25
Mazda 323 1998 (ZXi V6 2L) - Jeebs

Sorry for the huge delay in replying to questions (it's a long story, short version: I bought the car but haven't actually seen it yet - I'm getting all the problem reporting over the phone)

Firstly big thanks to acanthus, Dox and braindead.

acanthus, Dox - dashboard's fine and the key's aren't unduly heavy.

braindead - I'm assuming you mean the distributor? That is what is going to get replaced next to see if that fixes anything. Do you have a link to more information on this well know problem?

Thanks again guys, much appreciated.
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