⟐ Commented January 15, 2023 at 12:00 MST

I have a 2002 Mazda 626 4 cyl with 85,000 miles. It has a bad vibration when idling, Once the car starts driving the vibration is no longer noticeable. My car idle is set about 650 RPM at a stop in gear. If I rev my engine to about 1000 RPM the vibration smooths out. When at a stop I notice that using the AC or turning the steering wheel seems to add to the load and the RPM fluctuates sometimes to the point where I think the car will stall. The plugs, wires, firing coils and distributor are new (replaced 2 months before this problem started) all the motor mounts are new, new brakes, belts, tires and 4 wheel alignment. New air filter, oil and filter and the transmission fluid is full. The vibration actually got worse after I replaced the motor mounts. Any ideas? I cannot find any loose or bad vacuum hoses... one hint... the vibration started when I had the air filter replaced. It would idle rough when I was in drive with the brake on but in neutral or park the vibration would cease. After replacing the motor mounts (3 were busted, replaced all 5) then the vibration became worse and is present in all modes (park, neutral or in gear). Could something have clogged the Mass Air Flow valve when the tech replaced my air filter? By the way... the "check engine" light is not on.

⟐ Commented July 19, 2018 at 8:53 MST

⟐ Answer deleted October 29, 2021 at 13:54 MST

Is it the relay marked EGI or the Circuit Relay?

⟐ Commented October 27, 2023 at 13:38 MST

⟐ Answer deleted January 05, 2018 at 18:30 MST

⟐ Commented January 15, 2023 at 11:54 MST

⟐ Answer accepted May 28, 2016 at 11:56 MST

⟐ Answered August 23, 2019 at 10:29 MST

⟐ Answered February 11, 2014 at 3:33 MST

⟐ Commented March 04, 2011 at 12:24 MST

Sorry for some reason your site didn’t post my text. I have a 2000 Mazda 626 LX 4 cyl. I need a photo or diagram showing EXACTLY where the starter relay is. I know it’s in the engine compartment, prolly 1 of the relays right next to the fuse box. See the photos I just posted. It is not labeled. Not 1 of the relays inside the fuse box.

Can anybody help?

Thanks

Scott

Hey thanks! I checked thoroughly (see photos) those locations in engine compartment but didn’t find anything that looked like a relay. It’s def NOT in the fuse box in the pass compartment. And it looks like it’s not in fuse box in engine compartment. I have electrical wiring diagrams for 1997 (couldn’t find 2000 online) Mazda 626 that show there is a starter interrupt relay somewhere. +12v comes from ignition switch when in start position. Goes first to starter interrupt relay, then if that contact is closed, goes to park/neutral switch on transaxle. Obviously you can only start if you’re in park or neutral. Then +12v goes to relay inside starter, that closes hi current contacts and sends hi current +12v directly from battery to starter motor.

Symptoms are sometimes it won’t start. Most of the time it starts but when it doesn’t you don’t hear the solenoid doing its thing, don’t hear the starter trying to start the engine. Don’t hear any clicking sounds but I’m sitting inside car so I could be too far away. Battery is good, 13v, connections at battery are good. Could be failing starter, failing starter interrupt relay, failing ignition switch, etc.

Thanks Scott

⟐ Answered August 22, 2025 at 15:55 MST

⟐ Commented December 05, 2020 at 0:45 MST

⟐ Answered December 09, 2017 at 5:31 MST

⟐ Answer accepted May 24, 2016 at 4:19 MST

⟐ Answered February 13, 2026 at 19:00 MST

⟐ Commented January 16, 2026 at 21:14 MST

⟐ Answered May 26, 2023 at 5:13 MST

⟐ Commented August 18, 2022 at 18:05 MST

Thanks for your help,

James

Orlando, Florida

⟐ Answer accepted May 20, 2020 at 6:39 MST