Car won't start

[th3.big.R]

Hi all,

Just installed the GROM aux input module. Now, my car won't turn on.

I have checked the fuses and they are all good. Battery is not dead as all lights, radio etc. still work.

But, seems like the car doesn't even attempt to turn on (My 3 won't even make a screeching noise). I have tried it in both neutral and parked. Still nothing...

I had the issue right after I installed the device. I figured that it might be because I drained the battery as I was constantly testing it during installation. However, the car started right after, about 5 mins later. I used the car (turned on and off 3 times) in the next few hours. Then, it just didn't turn on. I tried to start it every hour to no avail. Radio and CD player still work and battery is still okay.

I don't know what else to try or check. Should I try disconnecting the GROM unit from the back of the stereo? Could it be related or just a coincidence?

Thanks in advance.

[Noisy Crow]

Start by checking everything you disconnected when you installed the aux input. Did you pull out anything other than the head unit to install it? You may have pinched a wire and created a short to ground when you put the head unit back in.

[th3.big.R]

Tried starting it this morning. It started!!! But, it could happen again.

So, I'm going to pull out head unit and ensure I didn't pinch any wires. Thanks.

[mz3~Power]

i just went through this with my 3...not sure if it would even apply to your situation .. but mine wouldnt start cause of corrosion on the starter connections... there is a replacment short cord that mazda sells .. and my car has started even since .

[th3.big.R]

I know it's been a few months, but I just wanted to give an update on this issue:

All of this was after the GROM unit was fully disconnected.

So, I took my car back in March to my mechanic and he said it was the starter. When he gave it a couple of whacks with his wrench, it would start. So, he installed a 're-built' starter for ~$150. It even came with a one year warranty, so I wasn't very concerned that it was a 're-built' unit. Historically, he said he never had any issues with the 're-built' starters and he was right, the car started fine for about a month with no issues. Then outta nowhere, didn't start again. Towed it back, and the starter was done. Used the warranty to get a new one and oddly enough, all was well again. He said he found it weird that he had to replace it within a month.

I told him over and over again, that there was a TSB and there could be an issue with a connector wire just being corroded. But, he assured me that it wasn't the issue. That takes us into May. I had no problems in May. At this point, I physically removed the GROM unit to ensure that it wasn't the GROM by any chance.

Then in June, once again, it didn't start. Luckily, this time, I was able to start it by just switching outta P to N. Went back and was told it was the neutral switch. I got it replaced for ~$90, and have had no problems since.

My post is just a summary of issues over the last few months that all seemed to start from just adding a GROM Aux unit to the back of my CD player. Now, $300 and 6 months later, I think it's all done and hope that it will help people if they have any related issues. When I was getting my car towed the second time, the CAA driver told me that several Mazda 3's go in with the same simple issue. Starter problems... I hope no one ever goes through these intermittent type of problems, and if they do, it's something like the $12 corroded connector that the above poster mentioned.