My 626 doesn't start sometimes, but sometimes it does!?!?!

[Melissa Makepeace]

Hi,

I am going crazy, my manual '87 626 started acting up a week ago... I went to start it and it just made a humming sound. It's not the battery, it was replaced a couple months ago and the lights, radio, etc work. I thought that it was the starter but the funny part is that i left it for a day, tried it again and it started right up. Being a broke student, I havent had it looked at yet (waiting for my loan), i just pray that it starts when i need it too, sometimes it does, sometimes it doesnt. My brake seems to be stiff too, im not sure if that's related. Also, my clutch has been progressively getting worse (really bad actually), i was told by my last mechanic it needed to be replaced soon - that was in january. Could it be clutch related? I cant really afford to bring it to a mechanic and have them try this that and the other .... any ideas?

If you have any ideas I would greatly appreciate suggestions!
Thanks

[samantha R]

hey , I have the same problem but only when it rains or when its cold my car wont start, but it will start when its 80 degrees or higher and its not the clutch cause i just had one put in about 3 months ago.

[gosamer]

Hey you might try the clutch start switch on the cluth petal. It is the most comon part to fail. unplug it and put a paper clip beteen the wire terminals to complete the cicuit. the only reason the switch is there is to ensure that your car cant be started without the clutch being pushed in. If that works have someone replace the paper clip with a real wire or a new switch. Hope it works...... Gos.

[Night0wl20]

hey i have a 1997 ford probe gt and my car does the same exact thing...i go to start up my car and sometimes it starts and sometimes it doesnt and i have also noticed the brake pedal gets kind of stiff or is locked or something...i've taken it to a ford dealership and firestone twice and they cant find out what exactly the problem is..i've been told fuel pump, fuel pump relay, battery cables, distributor, crankshaft...its CRAZY...i was wonderin if u've found out what it was that was wrong or if the switch thing worked because it would probably be related to my car considerin the probe is half ford half mazda....thanks

[mikelo]

When I bought my 1987 Mazda 626 about nine years ago I had the exact same problem like all of you- No dealer or mechanic was able to fix it . I fixed it about 8 years ago and the problem never came back.
I bypassed the defective white connector that leads to the solynoid and installed a 12volt relay that directly switched the 12volts from the battery to the solynoid.

I'm an Electronics Technician,an Electrician, A Computer professional and a Mechanic-no kidding

I connected diagnostic LEDs and switches on the dash to monitor the thing while driving-it looked like I was driving an experimental car- don't recommend driving a car on the road with wires sticking out these days.
Of course after find the problem I removed the extra wires and stuff.
It's a wonder car. Will be glad to send details by email and an electrical drawing.