Car will not start...help!!

[Kevin101]

I have a 93 mazda mx6...i was driving yesterday when i stoped at a stop light and my car just died, when i try to start it the starter sounds fine but it just wont turn all the way over, i let it sit 1 full day and went back and it still wont start, im thinking maybe the spark plugs need changed....someone help me please. also the check engine light did come on.

[computerdude14]

Originally Posted by Kevin101

I have a 93 mazda mx6...i was driving yesterday when i stoped at a stop light and my car just died, when i try to start it the starter sounds fine but it just wont turn all the way over, i let it sit 1 full day and went back and it still wont start, im thinking maybe the spark plugs need changed....someone help me please. also the check engine light did come on.

replace spark plugs/cap/rotor and coil maybe. if that dont fix it... then i reccommend you buy a code reader to hook to your car to read what code the ecu is spitting out at u.

mike

[Kyelek]

Get a chilton or haynes manual for the car. it will help diagnose without and OBD scanner.

[agatehawk]

Sounds exactly like what my car is going through right now. The mechanic thinks it's the distributor. He also said it would be about $500 to fix!! I think I'm getting the whole "let's charge her more because she's female" shtick.

[mx3man]

Combustion takes four things. Air, Fuel, Timing and Spark. Lets eliminate the possibilities:

Spark: Pull a spark plug while someone turns the car over. See if you can see sparks. Put it near the strut tower as it works as a good ground and it should spark. If not, could be Disty, Spark Plugs, or a broken timing belt.

Timing: Undo the two bolts on the Timing belt cover to see if it is there still. Get someone to turn the motor. If it moves, its fine so move on.

Fuel: hard to see it being this unless you messed around with the fuel lines IMMEDIATELY before you tried starting the car... My best guess is this is fine. But an easy way to check is to turn the motor over a few times, and then pull a spark plug. Smell it. If it REAKS fuel, its fine... if u dont smell anything... It Could be a clogged filter or a dead fuel pump.

If you still havnt found it... I am royally stumped.

[mx3man]

I've been through this situation all too many times before

[MazdaX]

There is a online shop manual on mx-3.com , Use that and take a wire ( with the car off ) pop the diagnostics cap off the unit on the exterior firewall in the engine bay, put the wire to grnd and ten.

Get back in the car, turn to on position but do not crank the motor.
Count how many times the check engine light flashes.

long flashes represent 10's, short flashes represent 1 - 9.

So if it gets 1 long flash and 3 short flashes ie: yoou will get code 13.
Check the Online manual for the code to problem match. Look how to fix it.

It's probably the distributor though. They are extremely common to fail. Worst distributor design in history. Highly unlikely for your plugs to be that shot. a v-6 can fire on 3 plugs but idles at like 200 rpm =)

Another thing, loosen your gas cap to relieve pressure, tighten it back up, get into your car and turn key to on but not start and see if the fuel pump re-prime/pressurizes the lines.


Anyways , Good luck to you.

And for you - agatehawk

You should have went online, you can get distributor units online for 270.00 - 290.00 USD just have to look.

[dell520]

Originally Posted by MazdaX

There is a online shop manual on mx-3.com , Use that and take a wire ( with the car off ) pop the diagnostics cap off the unit on the exterior firewall in the engine bay, put the wire to grnd and ten.

Get back in the car, turn to on position but do not crank the motor.
Count how many times the check engine light flashes.

long flashes represent 10's, short flashes represent 1 - 9.

So if it gets 1 long flash and 3 short flashes ie: yoou will get code 13.
Check the Online manual for the code to problem match. Look how to fix it.

It's probably the distributor though. They are extremely common to fail. Worst distributor design in history. Highly unlikely for your plugs to be that shot. a v-6 can fire on 3 plugs but idles at like 200 rpm =)

Another thing, loosen your gas cap to relieve pressure, tighten it back up, get into your car and turn key to on but not start and see if the fuel pump re-prime/pressurizes the lines.


Anyways , Good luck to you.

And for you - agatehawk

You should have went online, you can get distributor units online for 270.00 - 290.00 USD just have to look.

Thank you so much for this! I've been trying to figure out why my check engine light was on and now I know.