CAR DOESNT START SOMETIMES

[wak9]

The other day I turned off my car for a few minutes and then it took 5 minutes to turn it back on. Every time I turned the key it would turn on, but the ignition just wouldn't catch. The battery works, everything works, but the engine doesn't start. It has happened to me a few times already and will start eventually but I am worried.

What could be going on?

I just had the 88,000KM service done and had a full professional inspection done 5 months ago when I bought the car.

[JonsMazda]

Spark plugs gone bad maybe, did you check that?

[E-POTS]

when you turn the key do the lights come on but no signs of the engine kicking in? if so, then it sounds like you're starter is gone (or going since you can still somewhat get it running)

[Rob23]

yea sounds like your starter is going. you should have it checked asap before you end up getting stranded somewhere, that would suck.

[ThatGuy19]

before you end up getting stranded somewhere, that would suck.
If you get stranded hopefully you have a manual transmission and park on a little bit of a hill...

[Rob23]

If you get stranded hopefully you have a manual transmission and park on a little bit of a hill...

thats if your battery dies, if your starter craps out your screwed.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Moved to Problems section of the forum.

It does sound like a starter or starter wire issue. There was a TSB for corroded starter wires on the first gen. Get Jimmy over at Street Performance to take a look.

[ThatGuy19]

thats if your battery dies, if your starter craps out your screwed.

No, if your starter is broken you can still start it...

[mazdaskit]

No, if your starter is broken you can still start it...

but need two people lol one to try & start & one to push down a hill or road but thats not safe

[Rob23]

No, if your starter is broken you can still start it...

oh, i didn't know that. thanks.

[wak9]

I'll take it over to Jimmy at Street Performance as soon as I can...thanx guys.

[dentinger]

you can bump start the car if your starter is gone too.

get'r moving, hop in, and pop the clutch out.

ive bump started my car every time by myself...

[Booter22]

Is the vehicle auto? Could be the starter wire. However if it is auto and you have noticed it will not start in park, but will start in neutral it could be the range selector switch.

[dentinger]

could also be the fuel pump.
can you hear it prime when you turn the ignition to "on"?

[wak9]

Happened again last night while in the US. Took longer to start up this time. Gonna try the neutral gear start next time but I want to get it checked out ASAP now that I'm back in Toronto. I called Street Performance this morning, waiting on a call back. If it is the spark plugs, how expensive will the job be? Are there any other reliable and affordable places to get it checked out and fixed?

Thanx TM3!

[wak9]

PS: I don't really hear anything when the key turns all the way, at least after the car turns on.

[bhadreshl]

I had the same issue. If you turn the key and all you hear is the electronics and the fuel pump whine, that's probably the starter or starter wire being corroded.

It's very reasonable to get fixed. I would ask the mechanic to inspect spark plugs too, just to be safe.

[wak9]

I couldn't reach them so I dropped by and they were closed even though the sign said they should be open. Any other place you guys recommend?

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

I couldn't reach them so I dropped by and they were closed even though the sign said they should be open. Any other place you guys recommend?

They are closed for Chinese New Year... It is one of the few days they ever close.

He'll be in tomorrow. Call his cell again if you don't hear back by noon,but chances are he will call.

[wak9]

It's been a few days now and Street Performance still doesn't pick up. Can someone recommend another shop please?

Thanx!

[wak9]

bump. happened again today, but started in neutral. Can anyone recommend a mechanic? This is my first car and the first time I've ever needed a mechanic. Thanx

[Direct Mazda Service]

bump. happened again today, but started in neutral. Can anyone recommend a mechanic? This is my first car and the first time I've ever needed a mechanic. Thanx

If you are in the area call us or come by it can be fixed

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

wak9,

PM me your phone number. I will be at Street Performance today and will have Jim call you.

[wak9]

PM'd.

[TheMAN]

"ignition doesn't catch" doesn't sound very descriptive to me
all of you are blaming starter so far, but none of you are questioning what he's describing... he needs to be more specific and descriptive as to what's going on... anytime I hear "won't start" or "can't crank", they don't mean anything to me as far as trying to narrow down what could be wrong with the car... all i know is "the car can't start", which we all know already... specific descriptions help someone narrow down and determine what is wrong instead of guessing


at this point, it could be anything... starter, battery, battery terminals, other electrical, fuel pump, ignition system... the list goes on

I don't expect everyone to know cars nor use proper terminologies to describe car things... so just using simple descriptions about what exactly the car does is sufficient... no need to use any fancy words to say what's going on... a simple, "well I hold the key and the engine just keeps on turning over but it doesn't start" is enough :)

[jova87]

Is the vehicle auto? Could be the starter wire. However if it is auto and you have noticed it will not start in park, but will start in neutral it could be the range selector switch.

+1 i had this exact problem..

EDIT: Was covered under warranty..

[Booter22]

+1 i had this exact problem..

EDIT: Was covered under warranty..

happy i could help :)


"ignition doesn't catch" doesn't sound very descriptive to me
all of you are blaming starter so far, but none of you are questioning what he's describing... he needs to be more specific and descriptive as to what's going on... anytime I hear "won't start" or "can't crank", they don't mean anything to me as far as trying to narrow down what could be wrong with the car... all i know is "the car can't start", which we all know already... specific descriptions help someone narrow down and determine what is wrong instead of guessing


at this point, it could be anything... starter, battery, battery terminals, other electrical, fuel pump, ignition system... the list goes on

I don't expect everyone to know cars nor use proper terminologies to describe car things... so just using simple descriptions about what exactly the car does is sufficient... no need to use any fancy words to say what's going on... a simple, "well I hold the key and the engine just keeps on turning over but it doesn't start" is enough :)

To be honest, work at a dealer for a while you start to know exactly what someone is trying to say with out them saying it. in relation to the OP description, there was only two items that came to mind which i have seen before, starter wire, and range switch. all other items you have listed are alot less common of a failure.

wak9 have you had your vehicle inspected yet?

[Deaner11]

I'm having the same problem. Its auto, and half the time when i try and start it in Park the dash lights come on and everything, but nothing from the engine. But when i toss it in neutral it starts up no problem. How can i check the range selector switch? and is it easy to replace?

[jova87]

under warranty .. bring it in they replace one cable , 30 mins ago

[marxster]

Guys, my 2008.5 doesn't start sometimes. When I turn the ignition, there is no cranking noise. Only some of the dashboard lights illuminate. I've noticed that if I get out of the car and push it, even if it's only a half inch, I get in the car and it starts. (I do sometimes try to shake the car by violently moving inside the car...and guess what, it works...although I get headaches that way...).
I'm fairly sure that his has something to do with the car not registering that it's in park.

[Mork]

My daughter has a 2010 Mazda 3 and she has been complaining that sometimes she turns the key on and she hears "click click click" and the car will not start. Her dashlights come on normal and if she waits a few minutes it will start. The first thing I thought was the battery so I put the charger on and a minute later it was fully charged. I removed the battery terminals (they were tight) added some grease and tightened them up again, a few days later same problem. She has an aftermarket autostart installed and I was a little suspicious that a loose connection might be the source but I could not see anything. She does not have anything plugged in that would drain the battery and if it was the car would not restart after just a few minutes. i'm pretty sure if I bring this vehicle to Mazda they are going to blame the autostart since its hard to replicate the problem since it only happens occasionally?

[zzz3]

My daughter has a 2010 Mazda 3 and she has been complaining that sometimes she turns the key on and she hears "click click click" and the car will not start. Her dashlights come on normal and if she waits a few minutes it will start. The first thing I thought was the battery so I put the charger on and a minute later it was fully charged. I removed the battery terminals (they were tight) added some grease and tightened them up again, a few days later same problem. She has an aftermarket autostart installed and I was a little suspicious that a loose connection might be the source but I could not see anything. She does not have anything plugged in that would drain the battery and if it was the car would not restart after just a few minutes. i'm pretty sure if I bring this vehicle to Mazda they are going to blame the autostart since its hard to replicate the problem since it only happens occasionally?

this happens to me a lot, sometimes repeatedly. on the mazda you have to turn the key all the way and hold it for 2 seconds+. it surprised me as well at first, since its a 2010 and a new car, and because i was used to turning the key slightly on my other car without needing to hold it for it to start.

[McGuyver_3]

My daughter has a 2010 Mazda 3 and she has been complaining that sometimes she turns the key on and she hears "click click click" and the car will not start. Her dashlights come on normal and if she waits a few minutes it will start. The first thing I thought was the battery so I put the charger on and a minute later it was fully charged. I removed the battery terminals (they were tight) added some grease and tightened them up again, a few days later same problem. She has an aftermarket autostart installed and I was a little suspicious that a loose connection might be the source but I could not see anything. She does not have anything plugged in that would drain the battery and if it was the car would not restart after just a few minutes. i'm pretty sure if I bring this vehicle to Mazda they are going to blame the autostart since its hard to replicate the problem since it only happens occasionally?

was a kill start relay installed with the auto start? very possible that it is indeed to blame. I have seen my fare share of them beeing the problem

[Mork]

Kill start relay hmmm not sure but the autostart definitely is the likely source. When it happened to me the other day I locked the door with the remote and then unlocked the doors again the vehicle stsrted right away.

[Mork]

this happens to me a lot, sometimes repeatedly. on the mazda you have to turn the key all the way and hold it for 2 seconds+. it surprised me as well at first, since its a 2010 and a new car, and because i was used to turning the key slightly on my other car without needing to hold it for it to start.
Wow gives a new meaning to zoom zoom when I finaaly get to the bottom of this I'll post the answer

[McGuyver_3]

Kill start relay hmmm not sure but the autostart definitely is the likely source. When it happened to me the other day I locked the door with the remote and then unlocked the doors again the vehicle stsrted right away.

sounds like the relay is going for the starter kill