CX-5 won't start. New auto and fob battery. Won't turn over

[kelhalla]

Hi all,

I have a 2016 cx-5, touring, 54k miles.
Have a recent problem that's developed. When I press the start button the lights come on but it won't turn over.
It does this intermittently - so sometimes it will start if I try things like unlocking, locking the doors. Pressing on brake pedal
and holding down the start button.
But today, tried everything and it won't start.
I replaced the battery less than 500 miles ago (to see if that would fix the problem). Replaced the key fob battery.
It could be a short.
I just want to start it to drive to the Mazda dealer. Is there any reset procedure or circuit break unplug I could try?
Thanks in advance!
ALEXIS

 

[wlong01]

Sounds like a dead battery. Even though you replaced it 500 miles ago they do unexpectly go bad.
Try getting a jump and see if it starts. If so drive directly to the place you bought the battery from and have them check it and replace it if bad.

I had basically the same problem with a new battery. Bought it from the dealer and they replaced it and no problems since. And it was replaced free.

 

[ceric]

I second what wlong01 suggested.

Have a friend jump start your CX5 and go visit a dealer or wherever you bought the battery from to do a load test. New battery could be defected also.

Another possibility is there is a current drain in your CX-5. If the low battery issue persists, you need to find the root cause of current drain. First thing first.

 

[HyFlyer]

1) try pressing the end of the keyfob with the Mazda emblem against the start button (foot on brake, use the keyfob to push button instead of your finger)

2) check the shifter. There is an interlock that prevents starter if not in park or neutral. The micro switch can fail and not sense that vehicle is in park.

If it were my car, I'd do #1 ^^ above first (simple easy to rule out a problem with fob comms [the light on the button will be orange instead of green if a fob comm problem] )

Then put the parking brake on. How does that electric park brake motor sound ? Normal or slow turning straining? (Could indicate low battery power if not normal) . With park brake on, foot off brake, press start button twice turning the ignition to "on" or "run" , then foot on brake, move shifter to "N" keeping foot on brake should get a green light on start button and press start. If the car starts, I would suspect that shift position sensor is wonky .

You can do both of those in one minute sitting in the car. If no success, then check battery connections and voltage of the battery with a multi-meter. If low voltage, a jump pak or jump start would likely solve it (for the moment)

Those are my first thoughts. My gut feeling is the shift position sensor. Good luck to you. Let's us know what you find out.

(It's awesome you have a '16 with such low mileage! That's a good year )

 

[RedBaron]

All the above suggestions are worth trying. I'd start with the shift position sensor. Just try rattling the shift lever while in park and see if that affects it. Else move on to the battery - if you can jump start it, then it's a pretty sure thing your new battery is faulty.

 

[kelhalla]

Thanks everyone.

I have tried these suggestions except jumping it (other car is a Tesla so I can't jump it with that).

It could be the battery although lights come on and music plays.
I had this same problem before I replaced the old batter but it usually started after 10 or so tries.

I have tried to adjust the shifter but it won't move. Is firmly in park. Doesnt matter what I do with brake, it won't shift in to Neutral.

The brake is stuck half pushed in - it's not fully out like it is typically before it starts.

Tried the key fob to starter - didn't work.

Put the parking brake on - seems to go on fairly easily. I can hear the motor engaging it. But starting with different combinations (pushing start button twice, then once, long hold, jiggling the stick shift, etc).

I second what wlong01 suggested.

Have a friend jump start your CX5 and go visit a dealer or wherever you bought the battery from to do a load test. New battery could be defected also.

Another possibility is there is a current drain in your CX-5. If the low battery issue persists, you need to find the root cause of current drain. First thing first.

 

[wlong01]

(It's awesome you have a '16 with such low mileage! That's a good year )

I have a 16 Touring with 44,000. Bought new, April 2015, been flawless. Plan on keeping it a few more years.

 

[kelhalla]

Yes it's been a great suv - until this problem.

(It's awesome you have a '16 with such low mileage! That's a good year )

 

[wlong01]

Thanks everyone.

I have tried these suggestions except jumping it (other car is a Tesla so I can't jump it with that).

It could be the battery although lights come on and music plays.
I had this same problem before I replaced the old batter but it usually started after 10 or so tries.

I have tried to adjust the shifter but it won't move. Is firmly in park. Doesnt matter what I do with brake, it won't shift in to Neutral.

The brake is stuck half pushed in - it's not fully out like it is typically before it starts.

Tried the key fob to starter - didn't work.

Put the parking brake on - seems to go on fairly easily. I can hear the motor engaging it. But starting with different combinations (pushing start button twice, then once, long hold, jiggling the stick shift, etc).

Even with a dead battery you can still get lights and radio. Just not enough juice to start the car.
You can't shift out of park unless the engine is running. I just tried it on my 16 Touring.

I'm gonna go with bad battery - maybe a bad cell in the battery.

 

[Jmaz]

Try getting a jump from someone to see if most/everything works normally. That should point directly to the battery.

 

[kelhalla]

Yes, will do that or get it towed. Thanks all for the suggestions!

 

[GFrosty]

I have tried to adjust the shifter but it won't move. Is firmly in park. Doesnt matter what I do with brake, it won't shift in to Neutral.

Hm. Had a Mazda 3 where @50Kmi the sensor that's part of the brake pedal assembly had failed. Was wonky for a couple of months, occasionally disallowing shifting; then it failed completely. It locked the shifter in "Park" and the thing wouldn't move.

Uncertain if the CX-5 has the same sort of sensor for the shifter, but it wouldn't surprise me. If you do a lot of braking, it might well have failed by now. That could be the "stuck shifter" issue. Worth checking, at least.

 

[kelhalla]

Hm. Had a Mazda 3 where @50Kmi the sensor that's part of the brake pedal assembly had failed. Was wonky for a couple of months, occasionally disallowing shifting; then it failed completely. It locked the shifter in "Park" and the thing wouldn't move.

Uncertain if the CX-5 has the same sort of sensor for the shifter, but it wouldn't surprise me. If you do a lot of braking, it might well have failed by now. That could be the "stuck shifter" issue. Worth checking, at least.

That sounds like exactly the problem. Will have it towed and check the brake sensor as well as the battery.

 

[N7turbo]

The brake is stuck half pushed in - it's not fully out like it is typically before it starts.

You can't shift out of park unless the engine is running. I just tried it on my 16 Touring.

I think you can—pry under the little plastic cover above P to remove it. This will gain you access to the shift-lock override.

Mazda:
https://owners-manual.mazda.com/gen/en/cx-5/cx-5_8ft1ee17b/contents/05300201.html

Video:

 

[wlong01]

Yes, will do that or get it towed. Thanks all for the suggestions!

Come back and let us know what the outcome was.

 

[kelhalla]

Thanks for all the tips. I had it towed because it was free with AAA and would need to be fixed anyway.
AAA tested the battery - it was strong.

 

[ADS-B]

I would guess that you need a new start button. Expect few hundred dollars at the dealer. And just to be clear here. When you attempt to start the car, you hold your foot on the brake pedal and press the start button once and then take your finger off of it. Do not hold the button pressed while the engine is starting.

 

[wlong01]

I would guess that you need a new start button. Expect few hundred dollars at the dealer. And just to be clear here. When you attempt to start the car, you hold your foot on the brake pedal and press the start button once and then take your finger off of it. Do not hold the button pressed while the engine is starting.

Good advice. I've been telling my wife for 5 years now not to hold the start button, just press it and be done.

 

[kelhalla]

It needed a new starter.
About $550 installed at the local repair shop. Didn't take it to Mazda.
Thanks for all of the suggestions!

 

[kelhalla]

Looking to buy a Mazda miata. I had one about 12 years ago and loved it. Any suggestions on the best places to look? I checked the classifieds here but not much there.
I know to look on ebay, craigslist (searchtempest), facebook marketplace. Any other options that are good?