Problems starting

[megjo]

Back in June 2008 when my car was only a year old I had a problem with it starting. Got it towed to Mississauga Mazda and when we got it there it started. They took a look at at and couldn't see any problem with it. A couple of months later it happened again although I was able to get it started...took it back to the dealership again and they still couldn't find anything wrong with the car. It's happened off and on for months until this past Thursday I got in my car and it wouldn't start at all. There is power from the battery - nothing will click over. I got it towed to Ontario Mazda as it was the closest to where I work. They took a look and said they fixed it - said it was a loose connection to the starter. Great! I was happy it was finally fixed. Yesterday I get in my car and again it won't start!!! I called Ontario Mazda and they said to get it towed to them. They were swamped since it was Saturday and said they wouldn't be able to look at in until Monday. In my mind it's obviously something more than just a loose connection. I did hear yesterday from someone that they had the same problem with their 3 and it turned out to be a faulty starter and the dealership replaced the starter and the manifold.

Has anyone else heard about this kind of problem? My car's not even 2 years old and has been working like a dream otherwise. I want this resolved this time!

[Donutz]

I think there is a thread about this issue on the forum. Try using the search engine on the forum. I believe the people having this issue had auto transmissions, and were able to get the car started by putting the shifter in N then starting it. Good luck; let us know how it goes with the dealership.

[TheMAN]

there are 2 TSBs you need to look at..
one is the one for the shifter cable arm that goes on the transmission.... rust will cause the shifter/cable to not move properly and it will not allow the sensor to see that you are in park... the indicator on the gauge cluster will show you are not in any gear
TSB # 01-08-40

there's another where there is a problem with the starter signal wire has poor contact with the starter solenoid... a special jumper wire with the connector is used to replace the faulty connector... THIS could be your problem... I don't have the TSB # for this, but the US # is 01-037/08

finally, most unlikely is a frozen main relay, but that doesn't match your symptom.... TSB # 01-08-27

[Crombie3]

there's another where there is a problem with the starter signal wire has poor contact with the starter solenoid... a special jumper wire with the connector is used to replace the faulty connector... THIS could be your problem... I don't have the TSB # for this, but the US # is 01-037/08



I had this happen to me and it took a few visits before they caught this and rectifeid it, never happened again

[gabbygenier]

here is the ling to the tsbs if u need them

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/store/pages.php?pageid=12

[carsenault]

Im having the exact same problem with mine. Ill try starting it in neutral.

[carsenault]

no dice, still wouldnt start in Neutral. How accesable is that connector?

[Donutz]

Does it crank? What happens when you turn the key? Can you turn on the radio?

[carsenault]

Everything else seems to be ok, just wont turn over.

[carsenault]

The dash lights come on, so does the radio while its at the on position, seems to b elots of juice. When I turn to start, the lights dim a bit, radio goes off, starter not moving. :bang

From what I have read, seems quite similar to the guys that either had to change the wire going to the terminal on the starter, or have changed thier relay.

[BoostieMonster]

I had the same problem with my 2000 Altima, it wouldn't start, i'd tow it to my mechanic and then it started there...so replaced the starter, same thing happened again, till I realized if I just put it in Neutral and push the car like 3-4 inches it would start LOL....never could figure it out so I sold it..........to my mom heheheh

[mazda lover]

I had this happen to me and it took a few visits before they caught this and rectifeid it, never happened again

what did they do to fix the problem...

[carsenault]

Wouldn't ya know it... car started beutifully this morning on the second twist of the key. So anyways, I drop it off at the local Mazda sealer before going to work. He tells me the starter would not be covered under the drive train warranty, if th eproblem was in the tranny or ebgine, it would be. So I wasnthappy but I left it with them, thier courtesy driver brought me to work.

Once there I called my salesman at the used dealer where I bought mine, who had told me they would look after this. He talks it over with his sales manager and decide to go pick up the car and bring it to the Toyota dealer (owned by the same family). Well they could not find a thing wrong.

So. Ill keep an eye on it. Next time I will call Mazda directly. I got a feeling the Mazda service advisor was giving me the run around.

[Donutz]

Used starter for $50: http://www.emotors.ca/used/parts/1531.aspx