92SeCanuck

Hello all !

First off, I want to tell you that I have searched these forums before posting. But "won't start" is linked to all kinds of different problems...

92 SE, 225k kms, 1,8 DOHC, 5 spd.

For the last week, I was hearing an electrical/arcing noise from the passenger side of the dash when I turned the key past "ON". Nothing else was weird at that moment.

Now, yesterday, I forgot my blinkers on for 90 minutes, while the car was parked. So I went to turn them off, and check if the battery was dead. It was not, the car started fine.

So I tried to close the electrical sunroof, and the car shut off immediately. The roof moved an inch.

I start the car back up and try it again. Car dies. That's the last time my car ran.

I have power. The lights and radio are functional. When I turn the key, nothing happens. I don't hear any relays, starter or anything. But the weird part is the indicator lights : they are off, even when the key is at the "ON" position. Then sometimes, they come back to life, as does the audio signal (the one when you've got a door opened). But they go off as soon as you turn the key to start. And nothing happens. Same result when I try to close the roof when the lights are on (key at the "ON" position).

I tried to jump it and push-start it, to no avail. I smell gas, it burps and coughs, but no-go. SO there seems to be gas and spark. It was a manual push, so maybe we were not pushing fast enough...

I checked some fuses (roof and "engine"). What can I look for in terms of relays under the dash ?

What's wrong in your opinion ?

Thanks for your help !

92SeCanuck

I've read a lot of other threads, and I'll go check all my fuses and use a bit of TLC (hitting) on the ignition with the key in.

And where is the main fuse under the hood ?

If these don't do it, I'll need your ideas !

Roddimus Prime

I would honestly try to jumpstart your car. I know you have lights and stereo but the starter takes a lot more power to turn over than your dome light or radio. Have someone attach jumper cables to your car and let it sit for about 10 minutes....then try starting your car. If it starts then go get a new battery. If it doesn't check the power and ground wire on your starter. If these are loose/broken you could be tripping something by trying to throw 12V to them.

I've had a similar problem before and I think it was just a super weak battery trying to spin a heavy starter.

92SeCanuck

Agreed, but then again it started fine twice in a row (5 seconds apart) and then nothing. No solenoïd/clicking sound, nothing at all.
I mean, if it can start twice, it should at least give some sign of life on try #3, right ? Add to that all the dashboard lights going off once in a while...

I did only leave the jumper cables on for a few minutes. Seeing that it made no difference, I tried to hand-push it.

Will check that as well. Thanks for the reply !

I've got to get this car rolling to trade-it in for a Mazda 3 GS or an Echo Hatch RS ! Any news on a North American Mazda 2 ?

Roddimus Prime

I think it's going to be a ground problem....it's what it sounds liekt o me.

sysopt

Get a test light and while someone cranks the key to start and holds it, touch the light on the ignition terminal at the starter. If it glows brightly and the thick gauge power wire and all the grounds look good, then its probably the starter solenoid sticking. If it doesnt glow, then its most likely not the starter, ie. could be wiring to the starter, ignition switch, wiring to ignition switch.

Roddimus Prime

do these cars have start solenoids?? If so you could just jump it to see if it fires. i had to do that all the time on my 67 mustang.

I had a glovebox full of charred and melted screwdrivers!

proricer

Roddimus Prime: do these cars have start solenoids?? If so you could just jump it to see if it fires. i had to do that all the time on my 67 mustang.

I had a glovebox full of charred and melted screwdrivers!



hahahahahahahaha----

92SeCanuck

Well, I ended up bringing it to my mechanic (after getting it started, don't know how).
It was a terminal _behind_ the fuse box that was suffering form old age.

Then, on the next day, it worked fine for a few minutes and then I could not get it to run for more than 2 seconds. It would die. The ground for the ECU was the culprit. The mechanic "hacked" something for cheap instead of changing the ECU... Good !

I hope this helps someone who finds itself in the same bind !