YOUTUBE VIDEO: 6/23/11
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlp2cQg1EVY

Background info:
2005 MT
687XX Miles
Plugs, coils, wires replaced 5-6k(ish) miles ago (All OEM parts. Ordered from Mazmart. Plugs from Kragens.)
battery replaced 2.5 years ago. (DieHard Gold 550CCA)
Apexi Dual Megaphone Cat-back

About 3 to 4 months ago I replaced my spark plugs, coils, and wires due to a failing ignition system after 30k miles (I purchase the car with 33k miles in June/07). After replacing, car ran great.

Cat-back self installed (with 0 miles), 3k miles ago. Car ran great after install.

About 200 miles ago, I started getting a hesitation with a blinking CEL (rear rotor misfire), along with major power loss, at 4500-5000 rpm, and again at 7000 rpm. Then it would slowly climb to 9000 rpm.

I tried the Mazda Zoom Zoom Cleaner. No smoke, no results.

I haven't had a chance to work on my car much, I work a lot, so I tried two things:
1. keeping it under 5k (which didn't last long)
2. Giving it hell, hoping whatever that was causing the hesitation, would give, and it would go away. ( I got more results with this option)

Finally today I got a chance to spend some time troubleshooting. I took my battery to Sears and had it tested. The battery was gushing acid from the top while it was under a load. I really wish I could have taken a video of this, but I didn't have a chance. The new battery made a little difference, however, the hesitation was still present. Current battery now has 640CCA.

I also replaced my spark plugs, just for fun. Alas, hesitation was still there. Here's my old spark plugs:


After this install I did the brake pedal stomp reset. The car runs a lot better, but it still hesitates. Very little though.


I have the same routine every morning. I start the car, and back it out of the garage to let it warm up for a few minutes before proceeding to take off. I keep it under 3500 rpm till I get to the freeway which is about 3 miles away. Once I get onto the on-ramp I let the rpm's rise to the 5-6k range. I get off the freeway and there is a 1 mile stretch of road before I make my turn to my work place on which I give it hell; Winding it up through first, second, and third gear. Let the engine idle for a minute, then shut it off.


And for the love of baby jesus, yes I have searched. There are lots of people with similar problems, but everything checks out. Only thing I haven't checked is the SSV and leaks from the exhaust.


Any help/suggestions would be appreciated.

~Chad

 

Tested coils with an ohm meter. They all have about the same resistance.

Still looking for a solution.

 

Really... and you didn't find anything that mentioned power loss at higher RPMs could be a dying catalytic converter?
That is usually the first thing I suggest...

Which you are only testing the coil winding, not the component that often fails first (ignitor).

 

Jon,

As I stated earlier, although I probably should have been more clear, I have found many similar situations, but nothing exact. A dying catalytic converter glows red from what ive read, and mine doesn't.

As far as the ignitor goes, I'll do a search on how to test them. I read nothing about an ignitor though, all I did was search how to test the coils, found a Mazda bulletin, and followed it.

Thanks,
Chad

 

Then you need to read some more... because it doesn't always glow.

Can't be bench tested with a meter alone.
If you knew how an ignitor worked, you'll understand why.

 

Jon,
Thank you for your help.

Chad

 

Chad,

Did u ever resolve the problem? I believe I'm having a similar issue.

 

change the coils and see if it helps


u can't test the ignitor part, at least not like this.

i like the good old days better, they are seperated, easier for diagnostic and replacement

 

My engine does the same thing on the dyno. Even with brand new BHR ignition, new MSD wires and new plugs. It falls on its face at 7200RPM when the APV's open up. The valves are verified working and the only solution that MM and I could come up with is that the motor is old and tired at 90k miles. I'm still on the original. I have 97k miles now and I'm going in for a compression test in hopes of a new motor. If they decide to not honor my warranty "because racecar" then it's engine rebuild time. Power output was 173.9RWHP at 7,209RPM and 139.9RWTQ at 5,815RPM. Starts up reliably and drives smooth but the power just isn't there.

 

I'm not sure what happened, but the day I posted my reply my exhaust separated before the midpipe. I had just replaced it and had a friend tighten the front three bolts. Obviously he did a bad job because I lost two and the third had loosened quite a bit. I replaced all three with B7 hardware, cleared my CELs (p410 and 420) and did an NVRAM reset.... Now everything feels fine...

 

Hey Chad, did you ever figure out what was wrong?

Mine started hesitating today too. It just feels like its lost power up top. Checked everything out, new coils and plugs about 6000 miles ago, and full service about 2000 miles ago. Cleaned the MAF and all the intake valves, new air filter, the works, but now just feels weak up top.

No CEL's or any abnormal lights. She was pulling hard all the way to the gas station, topped up the tank, and then, on the way back, the lack of power. I trust the petrol station. Its a large reputable company, and i've been going there for years, so i doubt it's bad fuel.

Any ideas?

 

Same exact problem here brother....

 

What have you come up with so far? I can only go with fuel or according to some people, the cat. Otherwise, what? a new engine?

 

Hey guys, any updates? I would really like to get my car fixed as I have the same issue.