Hello,

I'm looking for some help with troubleshooting an intermittent problem we're having with our 2001 Mazda Tribute:

The car will run just fine, then out of the blue we'll get stranded somewhere when we make a stop. The car cranks and sounds like it will start... but behaves as if it is flooded (yet I don't think we would have done anything unusual to cause it to flood)... This has happened on 4 occasions now...

The first time it happened it was late in the evening, & we planned to pick out a repair shop & have the car towed the next morning... so the next morning we decided to try starting it again before arranging the tow & it started right up - no problem at all. Since we have been short on funds, the next couple times it happened we opted for the "let's give it a few hours & see if it starts" approach... & each time it started perfectly after waiting...

Unfortunately over the holidays we got an unpleasant reminder that this NEEDS to be fixed, as we were driving home from visiting family & ended up stranded in a McDonalds parking lot 3 hours from home! So there we sat for 2+ hours! (Could've been worse, but still... NOT FUN! )

I am very nervous about taking it to a repair shop, since (I'm told) this would be hard to diagnose unless it's acting up at the time; I fear we'll end up replacing multiple unnecessary parts until the real culprit is found (& we just don't have the $ for that)!

Thanks so much for reading & also for any insight you can provide!

And Happy New Year!

Gail

I would focus on the:

. Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor:

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/productdetail.aspx?MfrCode=NIE&MfrPartNumber=TS85511&PartType=290&PTSet=A

The ECT Sensor affects fuel injector pulse width. It's a temperature dependent resistor (thermistor), whose resistance decreases as the engine coolant temperature increases. It provides a richer mixture when cold, leaner mixture when hot. This is the likely culprit.

. Ignition coil:

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/productdetail.aspx?MfrCode=NIE&MfrPartNumber=FF193A&PartType=190&PTSet=A

OK- thanks for the quick reply!

We'll try the ECT first. Is this part hard to install / hard to access? Trying to figure out if we could install it ourselves &/or (if not) if a hefty labor charge should be expected?

Should be super simple. Is your Tribute the 2.0L engine? Before installing the new sensor, wrap the threads with Teflon tape.

2001 Mazda Tribute ES-V6 4WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Here's the ECT Sensor for your engine:

While we find your parts, please enter your ZIP Code at PartsAmerica.com (http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/productdetail.aspx?MfrCode=NIE&MfrPartNumber=TS85511&PartType=290&PTSet=A)

Hi,

Did you get this problem resolved? What did you do? I'm having the same problem. Will really appreciate your response.





Hello,

I'm looking for some help with troubleshooting an intermittent problem we're having with our 2001 Mazda Tribute:

The car will run just fine, then out of the blue we'll get stranded somewhere when we make a stop. The car cranks and sounds like it will start... but behaves as if it is flooded (yet I don't think we would have done anything unusual to cause it to flood)... This has happened on 4 occasions now...

The first time it happened it was late in the evening, & we planned to pick out a repair shop & have the car towed the next morning... so the next morning we decided to try starting it again before arranging the tow & it started right up - no problem at all. Since we have been short on funds, the next couple times it happened we opted for the "let's give it a few hours & see if it starts" approach... & each time it started perfectly after waiting...

Unfortunately over the holidays we got an unpleasant reminder that this NEEDS to be fixed, as we were driving home from visiting family & ended up stranded in a McDonalds parking lot 3 hours from home! So there we sat for 2+ hours! (Could've been worse, but still... NOT FUN!!)

I am very nervous about taking it to a repair shop, since (I'm told) this would be hard to diagnose unless it's acting up at the time; I fear we'll end up replacing multiple unnecessary parts until the real culprit is found (& we just don't have the $ for that)!

Thanks so much for reading & also for any insight you can provide!

And Happy New Year!

Gail

Hi,

Did you get this problem resolved? What did you do? I'm having the exact same problem. Will really appreciate your response.


Hi,

We ended up getting stranded another time after my post; tried waiting it out, but never could get it to start... ended up having it towed to a garage. They replaced the fuel pump & fuel filter... (Not exactly the inexpensive solution I was hoping for - but thankfully no "incidents" since!)

Good luck. :)

Did you find a solition for your troubles?
My daughter is off at college and has experienced the 'acts flooded' thing 2 times now, once yesterday, and I don't know if she has gotten it to start yet.

She has also had a misfiring on 5 that has occurred but usually is when wet driving- any ideas on this issue either?

Thanks in advance!


Hi,

Did you get this problem resolved? What did you do? I'm having the exact same problem. Will really appreciate your response.

Has this solved the trouble long term?
I know it has only been 2 week or two but thought I would ask.


Hi,

We ended up getting stranded another time after my post; tried waiting it out, but never could get it to start... ended up having it towed to a garage. They replaced the fuel pump & fuel filter... (Not exactly the inexpensive solution I was hoping for - but thankfully no "incidents" since!)

Good luck. :)

Has this solved the trouble long term?
I know it has only been 2 week or two but thought I would ask.

The fuel pump/fuel filter replacement was in early March '09 (so almost a year ago)... have not had that problem since...

Hi,

We ended up getting stranded another time after my post; tried waiting it out, but never could get it to start... ended up having it towed to a garage. They replaced the fuel pump & fuel filter... (Not exactly the inexpensive solution I was hoping for - but thankfully no "incidents" since!)

Good luck. :)

Thanks for your reply. Have you made frequent stops after changing the fuel pump and filter? My car just runs fine and up to 3 times. If I just sit in the drive way and try to crank it on and off, I can do it without any issue. But if I am driving for say 10 - 15 minutes and after the 3 stop (and the car being off for more than 15 mins), it doesn't start. I have tried it in the kroger parking lot. I could start the car as many times as I want once I reached Kroger, but if I leave it turned off finish my grocery shopping (15-20 mins) it doesn't start and have to wait around 4-5 hours.

Hi, thanks for the info... I used this blog to research the issue with my 2001 Mazda Tribute V6... had the same thing... the car would drive fine until the engine got hot and we got out of the car (at a McDonalds) one hour from home... then it wouldn't start.This happened 3 times before I found this blog... just had my trusted mechanic replace the fuel pump and fuel filter, and YES... that seems to be the fix! THANKS!
I LOVE MY MAZDA TRIBUTE AGAIN!

I have this same problem. It runs just fine if it starts, but sometimes it won't start. I've have two auto shops not able to fix this. Once replaced the battery, another replaced the fuel filter and pump. It works for awhile and then it won't startup.

I've noticed that if I disconnect the battery for several minutes and reconnect it, the Tribute will then start. Could this be a computer issue? Since I've been told disconnecting the battery is the only way to reset the computer.

chookalana, the next time it does not start, do not clear the ECM by removing the negative battery cable. Instead, check for codes. It may indicate where the problem resides--I don't think it is with the ECM, however.

How do I check the codes? Thanks!

Attach a code reader to the under dash data link connector.

Most likelly a "sticky" fuel pump. You can unstick it by whacking it with a hammer (it's under the rear seat on driver's side, remove the 4 screws and lift the cover off). But this is only a temporary cure, you will need to replace the fuel pump assembly to avoid getting stranded in a bad place. About $470 for the part alone.

Hello,

I am having a similar problem with my 2001 Mazda Tribute. My car will start at first but once I turn it off and jump back in, it won't start. It is kind of like, if I ride to long will make it just give up. I would have to wait, for it to cool off, in order to start it again.I am spending too much money on different opinons of what the problem may be but the problem is never solved and it never goes away. Once I put it in the shop it is okay for 2 days and on that 3rd. Day it is back to the same thing. I also need so help or advice or suggestion from anyone.I am so close to selling it because I need a reliable vehicle. The worst part about it is that I brought it in February. I haven't even had a chance to enjoy it because it is always in the shop. I'm desperate. Thanks for listening.

LaToya

LaToya77, have you tried installing a new coil?

I am having same issues. My Tributw runs fine. I can go a short drive or a long drive and then it randomly won't start. I have even woke up to head out to work and its been sitting all night but won't start. Replaced battery, alternator and fuel pump... getting expensive. Mechanic said he can't diagnose it unless it is doing it while he has it. So far every time we give it to him... it doesn't do it. I am getting frustrated. Anyone have ideas??

From what I am reading on your post's I take it that you cannot restart your engine when it is hot, however you can start it after it has cooled down. You will find this is often caused by a faulty Crank Angle Sensor unit which is located down near the harmonic balancer. If you were to cool it down by pooring cold water over that area you will find it will start. Try this and if that works which I think it will then replace the sensor unit, here in Australia about $130.00 aftermarket.
Regards, Anything Mechanical.

Hi. Im also experiencing the same problem with my 2001 Mazda Tribute, but the instrument light dies on me as well so I can put it in Neutral making it impossible to be towed. Please help university student low on funds!!

I'm having the same problem with my 2002 Mazda Tribute ES V6 with 46K miles. Vehicle was stored and was not driven much due to military deployments. I'm located in San Francisco north Bay Area. I have replaced the crankshaft position sensor and thought the problem was solved, but it did it again last night. If I drive the vehicle 3 to 30 miles where the engine heats up then park and shut it off for 10 minutes it will not start. I noticed this happens mostly in the evening when the outside temperature is cooling down rapidly. I have thought about getting the fuel pump and filters replaced, but the vehicle does not stall when it's running and it will idle nice and steady. It seems it's a faulty sensor or valve that affects fuel/ignition when it's having difficulty starting. It sounds as if it's flooded, it wants to keep firing but it's getting choked.

JTROKS, the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor may be bad. The thermistor inside is supposed to deliver a rich fuel/air mixture, when the engine is cold, and a leaner fuel/air mixture, when the engine is warm. This could easily explain the problem you are having. Should the problem persist, focus on the fuel pump--it won't be a cheap fix, however.

I'll give the ECT a try. Thanks