Car starts up intermittenly, help please! Thanks!

[HappyJappy]

So today I tried starting up the car, it won't start, radio, pwr windows all work fine. So I disconnected the - cable on the battery and did a reset, attempted to start the car, no dice. I gave one more shot at starting it up and it started. Drove for awhile and parked it back at home, turned engine off, tried starting it up again, wouldn't start, opened up battery cover to check all wires, all seems good, tried starting up the car again and it started BUT my friend noticed a spark on the + connector on the battery :whoa Any idea whats going on here??

[TheMAN]

are your battery terminals corroded? it sounds like it

[Donutz]

Does your car crank when you're trying to start it?

[McGuyver_3]

This could be related to the corroded starter wire
Loose battery terminal like TheMAN stated
Or your car has not had the relay replaced in colder weather they tend to freeze but i doubt its cold enough for that to happen yet

Also check out this thread (http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=37916) and post #15 has the TSB i was talking about
Also check out this TSB (http://www.finishlineperformance.com/pdf/mazda3/bulletin/01-018-07-1780.pdf) its about the frozen relay

[mazda lover]

This could be related to the corroded starter wire
Loose battery terminal like TheMAN stated
Or your car has not had the relay replaced in colder weather they tend to freeze but i doubt its cold enough for that to happen yet

Also check out this thread (http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=37916) and post #15 has the TSB i was talking about
Also check out this TSB (http://www.finishlineperformance.com/pdf/mazda3/bulletin/01-018-07-1780.pdf) its about the frozen relay

where is the relay located?
Thanks

[McGuyver_3]

its the starter relay located in the fuse box under the hood between the intake and the battery box

[TheWulf]

From the sound of your title I thought you mean your car randomly starts itself... :)

If you see a spark, it means there is a poor electrical connection in the spot. Remove the connector, clean the connector and the terminal and re-attach it. Make sure it's tight.

Like the others said, check for corrosion on the wires at the same time. A corroded wire should be replaced. You don't want a fire.

[mazda lover]

its the starter relay located in the fuse box under the hood between the intake and the battery box

great, thanks