icspots

Most remanufactured parts don't offer lifetime warranties. Some will do 1 year, but most are probably 90 days.

My old truck had starters go out pretty frequently. Picked up a reman. at Advance Auto for $50 (they were dirt cheap on that truck), and took me 10 minutes to swap it out. Each one would generally last about 10 months before crapping out, but that was within the 1 year warranty AA provides so I just kept getting them for free.

zoomzoom22

thanks for the response.

the thing is, it's an OLD truck. this is a still fairly new car - under 5 years old. this can't be normal. i had a 1997 chevy cavalier for 8 years. then my sister drove it for 3. now some random dude uses it as a beater and it NEVER needed a new starter. a chevy! a cavalier, no less! if this is normal, then i look forward to the day when i can rid myself of this mazda ;-(

icspots

Thank you for pointing out apples aren't oranges. I wasn't implying that because they crapped out on my '88 ranger that it was normal for it to happen on a brand new car. I was trying to point out that re-manufactured starters don't always last, and that they generally won't have warranties over one year long. You may have a leg to stand on by arguing that you should have received a new part vs. a reman. but I doubt you'll get anywhere with the argument.

If nothing else you could take a look at how difficult it is to replace the starter on the 3 yourself and then you'd only be out the cost of the starter, not labor too.

JennySue

Hello, I'm posting this for others who might have a similar problem. It was a dark and rainy night (not kidding)... and I was out in the country when much to may surprise, for the first time, my wonderful Mazda 3 sport (2005) simply did nothing when I turned the ignition key. I was at a friend's house, checked the internet for ideas..nothing worked. Fortunately I have CAA, the fellow came and turned the ignition just enough to shift into neutral (automatic transmission)...and it started like a charm. The problem? It's happened a few times since - when I park and think I've put the gear into P, sometimes it doesn't actually 'sit' in P. So when I go to start it, nothing happens. Now I know what to do... I start it in neutral....but will have to find out why it doesn't always go into P. Hope this helps someone.

JavisSalami

I'm having the same problem! I have a 2006 Mazda 3s and i have never had any issues with my car till now 5 years later! I turn the ignition on and car doesn't start...lights, radio, A/C etc all working properly so i have no clue what to do...i see in the past posts that there was a TSB out but everytime i click the link it states URL NOT FOUND, SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!

Jami88

my car will not start either but i think its something different cause my alarm system come on when i try to start it and i have put the key in the door to shut it off but it still wont start. i have changed the battery and checked all fuses witch they are all good any ideas?

Mazda3_83

Does anyone have that pdf . I have the same problem i am trying to clean that contact or if someone can tell me what to do in details.
The link does not work anymore .

Thank you all.

MazdaHouse

Thanks to everyone for their help - same problems - going to work on it today to see if I can get it fixed. Died at the gas station right after I filled up - would crank, but not catch. Hoping one of the ideas in the post will work.

Also, I attached the bulletin that was first linked back on page 1.

Thanks to all! Hopefully I'll get it working... I'll let everyone know.

EDIT: Also found the bulletin that addresses the problem of being able to start in neutral and not in park - I love ChiltonLibrary.com

MazdaHouse

That did it - purge value replace, check engine light gone and starting like a champ.

Mr.Mango

Darn beat me to it, was going to say Purge Valve! Common problem on first gen 3's we replace alot of them.

To test get a vacuum gauge, attach at throttle body location (see proper diagrams) then pressure test to 14psi and let sit for 10 minutes, if gauge shows lose of pressure Purge Valve is faulty.

sunny.penny

I am also having the same problem. The car only starts intermittently. However, the security light blinks each time the car does not start. I got my keys re-programmed. However, the problem still persists. The Mazda mechanics have no clue about this problem.

Could you please let me know what the solution could be ? As a workaround, I am detaching the battery (need to open the bonnet for this) connection and putting it back. This somehow restarts the system and I am able to start. But, I need to do this each time the car does not start.

Any help is well appreciated as I really don't know how to fix this.

Pablo

I am having the same problem, but on a Mazda 323- 2002. Stopped over the weekend. Tried over the days but engine would not start. (Battery, sparks, etc all seemed fine).

Took it to the mechanics on a Tuesday and started fine! So I asked him for a tune-up just in case, besides the car actually needed it.

Worked ok for a few days, but now refuses to start. - Yesterday afternoon it refused to start just minutes after parking it. Called the crane, and just before hooking the car, voilá! It started. I drove it home which was fairly close. Later at night I had to go to the supermarket, and on my return to the car it failed once again.

The car spent the night there and I am now getting ready to fetch it. I have copied the pdf's and will take them to the shop. Any suggestions are welcome and thanks for all the info and the reposted pdf files! What a ridiculous and frustrating situation!

Maria84

Having some issues with my mazda3 2007. Up until now I have had no issues with the car. Saturday was sitting in a parking lot waiting for it to clear had the key turned for 20-30 mins to listen to the radio. Went to start it and it would not start (dash board lights on). Jumped it and started no issue. Drove it for 45 min and it started the next morning no issue. Drove Sunday from LA to Las Vegas turning car on and off along the way no issue. Monday drove the car first thing in the mornin no issue. Had the battery tested that afternoon and they suggested I replace it (4-5 years old). Autozone installed, I watched all looked good and I was on my merry way. Parked the car in my garage and it sat until Wed morning. Went to leave and it would not start. No lights, no turn over, no clicking. Car was jump started that afternoon and driven back to autozone about 2 miles away and it died right as we pulled in. Power steering went out and then car completely shut down. Battery was charged put back in and died right away. Autozone replaced the new battery claiming it was bad and suggested coming back in a couple days to have the alternator tested. Car driven home no issue. 2 hours later started the car drove 3 blocks forgot something and went back to the house for less than 5 min came out and the car would not start. No lights, no turn over, no clicking. We took the battery out and had it tested and the battery still had a charge. Removed the alternator had it tested and was told it was good. Check the negative ground off the battery and it was tight, no corrosion could be seen. Checked the fuses relating to the car starting and did not find anything faulty. Cleaned the connectors on the battery with basking soda & water.

Can't seem to locate the issue. Suggestions?

corby4

About the intermittent no start problem,If your car has an alarm system with a starter kill relay, that's probably what the problem is. I had an auto mate system installed back in 06 when i bought the car new, and now i wish i didn't. after messing with the programming features i was able to get the car to start. now i need to find the starter kill and disable it.

Hutch WL

re: starting/ignition problems (intermittent only)
I seem to have the same problem 2006 Mazda 3 GTSport (automatic)
Its happened 3x this month. Wipers/Lights start but car doesnt turn over at all...
Occasional only..will eventually start with turning steering wheel few times or shifting gears then turning key again..its hit or miss.
Went to a local garage..had battery tested/good..alternator only working at 50% but isnt the problem. They cant do diagnostic test unless bring in when car is having problem.

Ive seen few posts with service bulletins/links but having trouble viewing. Maybe outdated?
Please assist as I may need tow to Mazda in morning if cant get it started tonight..again!