# My 1991 Mazda 323 is turning itself off

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-1991-mazda-323-is-turning-itself-off/18892>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** 323, mazda\
**Created:** [August 30, 2008, 8:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-1991-mazda-323-is-turning-itself-off/18892 "2008-08-30T20:24:23Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![NateLaw123](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/natelaw123/32/949_2.png) [@NateLaw123](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NateLaw123)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2008, 8:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-1991-mazda-323-is-turning-itself-off/18892/1 "2008-08-30T20:24:23Z")

</div>

My 1991 Mazda 323 has been turning itself off sporadically. My foot has to be off the gas, which happens whenever I shift gears, and just before the car shuts itself off it clicks, usually repeatedly and rapidly. If I touch the gas pedal (even lightly) with my foot while the car’s clicking, the car keeps on running & doesn’t die. If I don’t give it gas when the car clicks, it turns itself off.  
  
  
  
 No check engine light coming on. 316,500 miles. Pictures at [myspace.com/sweetestride](http://myspace.com/sweetestride) (that ought to help immensely).  
  
  
  
 Any Ideas?  
  
  
  
 Nate

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2008, 3:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-1991-mazda-323-is-turning-itself-off/18892/2 "2008-08-31T03:07:26Z")

</div>

Clean the throttle body bore and throttle plate, and idle air control valve air passages with Throttle Body Cleaner. Try to pinpoint where the relay is clicking.