My 88 vert with 3000 miles on mazda rebuilt motor is intermittently not starting. I suspect is is a failure of the security sytem to dis-arm. Battery is new. Makes zero noise when turning the key. Car will bump start fine and of course mostly starts with the ignition key. How can I determine if it's a bad starter/relay or the security system failing? If it is just the security system will detatching the neg battery terminal and reattaching disarm the system?
ArnieZ

 

Bump start? You mean push start it?

It sounds like a bad starter. I have one for sale if you want.

Next time it doesn't start, whack the starter with a broomstick or something and see if it starts. If it does, the starter brushes are definitely too worn.

 

What kind of broomstick do you recommend? How much do you want for your starter?
ArnieZ

 

Could be the ignition switch or the circuit opening relay, its most likely just your starter though.

 

For Clarification:
Both times the car has failed to start, the anti theft system had been armed. I have had some trouble with the lock on the drivers door, it is loose. The first time this happened I kept opening and closing the door and retrying to start, it mysteriously started. The second time I didn't wait long before push starting .
ArnieZ