99 Miata Idle problem
David Korn
the 80's. I've only had my '99 for a few weeks, but there have been three
or four instances where the tach dipped to the point of making the engine
start to shutter (<600 RPM), and then restored to 800 - 1k RPM. I'm not
sure of the cause, but I think it's happened when I've been accelerating in
maybe 3rd gear through 4k or 5k RPM, and then abruptly had to make a
punctual stop. When I had the clutch in, while still braking, the minor
shuttering happened. I also think maye it's only happened within the first
five to ten minutes of driving.
I don't have much driving experience with late model sports cars, and I
figured it was attributable to a combination of my technique and the car
computer's "assistance". But does anyone have an idea what causes this and
what should be done to avoid it?
David and 'Jazz' ('99 silver LP)
m...@yahoo.com
in morning. I notice my 99 Miata experience more and more
frequent idle problem. The rpm drop below 600, then back up
to normal 900 before the engine stall.
Nick Horianopoulos
All of these problems seem to stem from a common cause -- lean running/rich
running/lean running cycling.
Let me explain. I have the FMII computer in the Zuzuni, and when I flip the
Link keypad display over to the Zone Fuel setting (this indicator states what
"zone" the motor is in, and the target value for hundredths of volts the O2
sensor is supposed to be reading in the exhaust, I have learned a thing or two
about the readings, idle setting richness, and the "dipping" RPMS at idle.
After the engine is run in traffic, it is set to a pretty lean setting (O2
sensor reading close to .00 volts), and at idle, it seems to take around .80
volts to keep the car running well. The fuel injection wil toss a bunch of
fuel into the manifold to increase the idle richness (the richer the setting,
the higher the voltage reading at the 02 sensor, with about .91 volts being as
high as the system produces), and when the O2 sensor sees all this unburnt
fuel getting into the exhaust manifold, and the value is driven up to .91 or
so, it cuts the fuel, and the RPMs dip because the mixture is then becomes
quite lean, near or at .00 volts or so.
As you see, this is a vicious cycle, but it seems to decrease with every
rich-lean evolution, until a stable idle is mostly reached.
Nothing can really be done to correct or to avoid it, save buying an FMII
computer that will allow you to set the idle clamp (not to be confused with
idle speed) and the Zone Fuel at idle (Zone 1) to such a point where the
fluctuations of the rich-lean mix don't affect the idle speed.
--
Niko
They can have my Miata when they pry it from my cold, dead fingers!
"Keep your hopes up, and your top down! You know, the most interesting
roads are the ones with lots of ups and downs and twists and turns." -- Mr.
Alan K. Young, esq.
http://www.concentric.net/~Greek/
If you're gonna e-mail me, you gotta rip off the "K" in "Koncentric" and
change it to "c."
Mike Funk
My apologies, for I don't have a technical explanation for why an improper
idle (between 500 - 1500) can damage an engine. I'm relying on the
qualified opinion of a mechanic.
Even as a layman, though, it seems quite logical that a poor idling engine
can result in a number undesirable side effects, both in the short- and
long-term. In my case, it eventually resulted in an engine that failed to
start and/or stall.
The Mazda dealership, in an attempt to resolve the problem, simply jacked-up
the idle --- an amateur-like attempt to mask the erratic idling, stalling
and failure to start.
Moreover, it's my personal opinion that a $25K sports car should idle within
spec. Others, however, may feel differently.
Having lived in Japan for 7 years, I know better than to put up with such
shoddy engineering from a Japanese company.
I look forward to getting my money back and buying a true sports car that
idles properly.<g> If one can be found.<g>
In parting, I've owned 4 Miatas. And this is by far the best Miata that
Mazda has built. Aside from the idling problem, I love the 99 model.
Regards, Mike
Charles Kelly wrote in message <361e6db8...@allnews.nbnet.nb.ca>...
>"Mike Funk" <ja...@tampabay.rr.com> wrote:
>
>>The idle problem with 99 Miatas is a Mazda documented problem, meaning it
>>has happened to other 99 Miata owners around the globe. Mazda does NOT
have
>>a fix for this problem. And it DOES damage the engine.
>
>OK I've heard of this problem, but I am not aware of the
>potential for ENGINE DAMAGE.
>
>Please elaborate.
>
>--
>Charles & his silver '99 Miata
>New Brunswick personal Tags: VOOOM
>
>TEAM 2-year old copilot
Charles Kelly
Mike Funk
The idle problem with 99 Miatas is a Mazda documented problem, meaning it
has happened to other 99 Miata owners around the globe. Mazda does NOT have
a fix for this problem. And it DOES damage the engine.
My 99, in particular, idles between 500 - 1500. And, on occasion, the
engine doesn't start or it stalls. So be careful not to think you have a
dead battery if your Miata doesn't start.<g>
On October 15, I will take my 99 Miata to the dealership for the 3rd time,
after which I will invoke the Lemon Law for the State of Florida. Mazda
then has one chance to fix the problem. Since the idle is regulated by one
or more onboard computers (meaning it's a firmware problem), I seriously
doubt that Mazda will be able to fix the idle problem before the next model
year.
This is my fourth and likely last Miata. It was fun while it lasted. Now,
how to find a sports car that is mechanically sound?<g>
Later, Mike
Largo, Florida
m...@yahoo.com wrote in message <361697F6...@yahoo.com>...
Daniel Shea
I have not (fortunately), had the car stall as a result of this however.
I have noticed that this phenomena seems to occur when I drive
particularly hard and then have to come to a stop rather abruptly. I am
assuming the engine is reaching idle faster than thecomputer that
regulates fuel can adjust.
I doubt that this has an easy fix.
I also doubt Mazda will do anything about it.
I have been very disenchanted with my whole experience
I love my car, but the company has a long way to go in terms of customer
satisfaction. I routinely have to wait an entire day for a routine oil
change that I can accomplish in 15 minutes. The service staff at the
local dealership are also not very knowledgeable.
I will be taking my car to an alternate dealer in an attempt to rectify
the situation.
Dan
dlr...@my-dejanews.com
second Miata. Both had problems with the idle. Although I should know by
now, I took my old Miata into a mechanic, mentioned to him the idle/stall
problem and was slapped with a $300 repair bill. Much like the first
instance (under warranty) the "fix" lasted only a couple of months and got
worse during the winter. I find it hard to believe that Mazda has not fixed
this problem. There is nothing worse than stalling in the middle of a busy
intersection, during rush hour, without the ability to restart the car.
ESPECIALLY with a brand new car!
Currently, with only 3000 miles my check engine light went on and now it
needs to go back to the dealership to be checked out. Strangely <grin> this
happened within 2 minutes of an "idle dip". I suppose I'll find out
tomorrow, after taking a couple of hours off work to wait in a dark service
department with some old vinyl-covered circa 1970's bench chairs <sigh>. At
least I'll get to watch the daily episode of Regis and Kathie Lee <vbg>.
Although overall I adore the car (wow what a change from the former
generation), knowing that if it stalls my attempts to restart it for a few
minutes will be futile, causes concern about my safety. I'd bet that I am
not the only person with this unease.
So, anyone from Mazda, if you are reading this post...(hint)
Thanks for allowing me to vent a little.
Lisa
(put in the letter "l" at the beginning of the e-mail address to send mail.
Since I'm on a processed-meat free diet, no spam please)
In article <NoTS1.30$wx4.1...@newse2.tampabay.rr.com>,
"Mike Funk" <ja...@tampabay.rr.com> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> My apologies, for I don't have a technical explanation for why an improper
> idle (between 500 - 1500) can damage an engine. I'm relying on the
> qualified opinion of a mechanic.
>
> Even as a layman, though, it seems quite logical that a poor idling engine
> can result in a number undesirable side effects, both in the short- and
> long-term. In my case, it eventually resulted in an engine that failed to
> start and/or stall.
>
> The Mazda dealership, in an attempt to resolve the problem, simply jacked-up
> the idle --- an amateur-like attempt to mask the erratic idling, stalling
> and failure to start.
>
> Moreover, it's my personal opinion that a $25K sports car should idle within
> spec. Others, however, may feel differently.
>
> Having lived in Japan for 7 years, I know better than to put up with such
> shoddy engineering from a Japanese company.
>
> I look forward to getting my money back and buying a true sports car that
> idles properly.<g> If one can be found.<g>
>
> In parting, I've owned 4 Miatas. And this is by far the best Miata that
> Mazda has built. Aside from the idling problem, I love the 99 model.
>
> Regards, Mike
>
> Charles Kelly wrote in message <361e6db8...@allnews.nbnet.nb.ca>...
> >"Mike Funk" <ja...@tampabay.rr.com> wrote:
> >
> >>The idle problem with 99 Miatas is a Mazda documented problem, meaning it
> >>has happened to other 99 Miata owners around the globe. Mazda does NOT
> have
> >>a fix for this problem. And it DOES damage the engine.
> >
> >OK I've heard of this problem, but I am not aware of the
> >potential for ENGINE DAMAGE.
> >
> >Please elaborate.
> >
> >--
> >Charles & his silver '99 Miata
> >New Brunswick personal Tags: VOOOM
> >
> >TEAM 2-year old copilot
>
>
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John Kuykendall
say I saw a Mica Green M2 spin a couple of 360's during wet track
"touring laps" at Summit Point two weekends ago. When he finished
spinning (both feet in!) he had to crank the starter for what seemed
like several minutes before it started again. Anybody on the list?
chrismich...@gmail.com
Leon van Dommelen
> Just let the car warm up it then idles fine. I usually drive it slow
first 8 minutes then its fine.
idle-adjust screw, but adjusting it is a tricky business because you are
fighting the ECU which also wants to fix the idle. You need to disable
to ECU to set the screw correctly.
Leon