well I posted about 2 weeks ago when it didnt start and now it won't start again. I cleaned the spark plug wires, cleaned them a lot with q-tips and QD electronic cleaner. Uhm, I changed the spark plugs wires again, it worked last time so I figured hey $25 bucks is worth my car starting again. I don't think my engine is flooded because when I changed the spark plugs there was no fuel smell. I also have a fuel pump switch and switch it off when I park the car over nite so don't think any fuel leaked into the engine. I have no idea. What can I do ?

EDIT: Oh when I try to start the car it cranks but the motor doesnt turn over. And after I stop trying to start it, I hear a whistle kind of noise for about a second and it stops. Sounds like something is still spinning or something is loose, could this be anything important ?

 

verify you're getting spark/fuel/air?

 

How do I go about that ?

 

Well, you can always just jam a sparkplug in the wire and set it aside and get someone to crank to check spark, fuel is pretty obvious, can just pull your plugs and smell. Also, sometimes the plugs won't seem wet, and it can still be flooded, in those cases I pull both plugs, and the EGI fuse and crank, and can usually see the cloud of gas being sprayed out, then I put everything back together and try again.

Oh, also check all your fuses (specifically under the hood, and the MOTOR fuse under the dash) Those can be evil little gremlins from time to time

 

Both plugs being ? forgive my lack of knowledge. I'm still learning about my car.

And I'm assuming the EGI fuse is the INJ (green 40a) one not the other one right ? or is it both ... or is it the other...

 

Is it just the ones in the front rotor ? or 2 leading or 2 trailing or what

 

You cant go wrong bu pulling both fuses on the far end of that fuse block. Thats what I do the 30 and the 40 amp ones. I think one is ENG and the other is INJ...something like that.

But do as SonicSplat said and check your fuse in your car. The MOTOR fuse I believe it is. I had a problem with that blowing when I was using a fuel cutoff switch.

Also, checking for spark is fairly easy. Just hold on to the plug wire and have some one crank the motor. If you get lit up, you got spark....Just kiddin!....

Jarrett

 

So I pulled out both spark plugs from the front rotor and the 40a fuse and cranked... and nothing. I mean I put everything back together and tried and nothing. Gettin desperate and can't do anything anymore, car's parked around the corner and its dark.

Would it hurt to pull all spark plugs to crank ?

I'll check the "motor" fuse in the morning.

Thanks for the help

More suggestions are encouraged =P

 

Oh when checking for spark, do i just look at the spark plug wire ? or the spark wire with the spark plug in it.

If there's no spark, would that mean crapped wires ? or something else

thanks

 

check the alternator, it could be dead, mine did the same thing, it wouldnt turn over, and the whole time it was the alternator

 

what should the voltemeter read.

 

Wait when you turn the key is it a clicking sound?

 

If it is the alternator, shouldnt i be able to start it with a jump ?

 

Stick a spark plug in the wire, and just hold the plug against something metal (be sure you have gloves tho, else you get zapped), also, pull both leading plugs (the two on the bottom, closest to the ground). If you get spark, then get a flashlight and check the 'motor' fuse in the car.

 

Can you clutch start it?

 

whats clutch starting?

 

rolling in first gear with the clutch in and the ignition on and then let engage the clutch... sorta like making the starter rotors work without the starter doin it

 

Clutch starting is kinda forcing the car to start. Have one friend push the car with you in it. Have it engaged in 1st gear and have the clutch pedal all the way down. Release the e-brake and let your friend push it. One you hear a ding ding or the car is goin for a while release the clutch. The car should cuh for 2 secs and start. Basically i think the problem you're having i have had with my FC before. If it clutch starts just fine and runs perfectly then you know its not en engine nor air intake nor spark plug problem. When you put the key in and you here a clicking noise and the car wont start, basically means your starter's broken. They tend to break after about 60,000-90,000 miles on your car. To replace it would coast about 250-350$.

 

I don't hear a click, all I hear is my car try to start. After I try to start it I hear kinda of a whistle kinda of sound.

 

Probably gonna give it some tries tomorrow morning and if it still doesnt start, I think I'm just gonna tow it to m2 or ricks. Getting real depressed from this, I got a potential fuel leak too, might as well look into/fix that too. Thanks for all the help.

I'll tell you guys if I get it started tomorrow.

 

$250-350 for a starter?? Sorry, but you were shafted. OEM $177 less $75 core at http://www.mazdaformance.com all day long They're a mazda dlr in Houston, TX, excellent services, prices and it won't take a year receiving parts.

 

Let's see....you said when you turn the key, it cranks, but the engine doesn't turn over. Then when you let off the key, there is a whistling sound for about a second.

If this is correct, the starter could be the culprit. It sounds like the starter shaft spins, but the bendix doesn't cause the starter shaft to contact the ring gear on the flywheel. Sounds to me like the starter is just spinning freely. Or.....you could have a spot on the flywheel where there are teeth missing on the ring gear, and you are in that spot.

If I understand your comment correctly, I would suggest you put the car in 4th gear and try to push in a foot or two to move the flywheel in another position, and if that doesn't work, check that the starter is contacting the flywheel.

This is again, based on your EDIT statement in your first post.

db

 

UPDATE: I got a call from Rick today at Rick's Rotary. I gave up and let him fix the starting problem for me and it turned out to be the crank angle sensor. Well whattaya know.

 

Humm.. do you need another crank angle sensor or....?

 

my car is kinda having the same problem (wasnt started for 2 months, not my fault long story) and it doesnt seem like its getting any gas. im not sure about spark. how can you tell if its the sensor?