dr. drift

its been a while since ive made a post but the time has come when i need all the help i can get.

at the end of the summer, the fd developed some sort of electrical problem while i was working on it and the car would not start at all. so i just left it sitting in the garage until now.
i would really like to have it up and running but i need to find out if i need a new engin, new electrical system, or simple tune up.

if anyone could come check it out i would be happy to put some coin in your pocket. the car is currently by the corner of montreal road @ st.laurent.

it be great if someone knew how to troubleshoot this cus i dont really wanna tow the car into mazda or any other shop.

thanks
-tyler

eViLRotor

iTrader: (2)

Some extra info might help people troubleshoot:

What where you working on when the problem developed?
Assuming battery power, does the car crank over, but just not start? Or no cranking at all?

dr. drift

i was installing fmic, battery relocation, tuned apexi pfc, dp, mp, stereo, headlight conversion. and i dont know what caused the problem.....likely the headlight conversion.
the car did crank in the summer but it was flooded i assume.
now the battery seems to hold 12 volts but nothing happens when i turn the ignition. no crank.
also when i initially turn the key, the electical system starts buzzing off and on. which could mean there is a short.

HEVNSNT

iTrader: (3)

The buzzing on/off sounds like a weak battery. I assume it is the same battery from last year and hasn't been charged since? Charge the battery and that will at least eliminate the battery as a possible cause.

nik

If you have a dead/weak battery you should take care of that first, otherwise it will make it much more difficult to troubleshoot.

Fortunately, the electrical system going to the starter is quite simple. There are a few things in a chain which need to work to get it cranking. Check out page A-1 of the wiring diagram for your car if you have it. You'll need a multimeter to troubleshoot this properly.

Good points to check for voltage would be:
Starter interlock switch(Under clutch pedal)
Starter cut relay
Ignition switch
Starter itself

dr. drift

its not the battery

mr.zoom

iTrader: (1)

you mentioned relocated battery, where did you place the ground? are the terminals clean?

dr. drift

relocated to the trunk. terminals are clean.....but i will check the ground now that you mention it.

charr33

This most likely isnt the problem, but it gets me every year so I figured I would mention it.

If you have an alarm with engine imobilizer, it will reset to "on" when you re-connect the battery, even though the doors are open, and you are sitting in it, and jostling around (things that would normally make the alarm go off) it wont go off, but the engine wont turn on until you blip the alarm off.

Every year I forget that, and bust out the booster cables. (which of course do nothing)

Just thought I would throw it out there.

dr. drift

ya....this could be alarm related, but it still doesnt account for the buzzing of the instrument panel

dr. drift

in any case, i would still pay for someone to come and diagnose it.

that way i will find out what the real problem is and how i should deal with it.
the next step is to put it on a flatbed and take it to some shop.....even then i wouldnt know what shop to take it to.

nik

I would gladly come help you unfortunately I am quite busy for the next little while. Where is the car right now? in some kind of public storage facility?

dr. drift

at my house, located by the corner of montreal road at st. laurent