starting the car

[jesse]

Sometimes when i start the car I have to turn the key multiple times and hold in it longer than i did with the vw. I used to think it was because the engine was cold, but it happens when the engine is warm too. Any ideas what the problem is?

 

[Brian MP5T]

No Problem. However, AWR mounts will help it turn over much better and also get rid of driveline lash

 

[Brian MP5T]

What I meant to say is that, My P5 takes upwards of 4 rotations to trun over normally.

 

[muohio]

If you have to turn the key four times then something is wrong. Mine fires up after a couple turns of the engine.

 

[girth]

Brian was saying the ENGINE turns over 4 times, not the key.

Anyway, yup, I've noticed exactly what you're describing with both of my proteges (2000 and 2003). It takes longer to fire than any other new car I've ever seen - sometimes mine will crank for like 5 seconds before she finally goes. But it does always eventually go. I have no idea why it takes so long compared to other new cars.(dunno)

 

[Speedplease]

My msp does this and my girlfriends 6 does this also, must be a mazda trait.

 

[brucelee]

it's alleviated by a optima red isn't it? or so i've read before..

 

[girth]

it's alleviated by a optima red isn't it? or so i've read before..

I highly doubt it. The battery is just fine - turning the engine over plenty quickly....but who knows, maybe a better battery would help(dunno)

 

[Brian MP5T]

Engine Mounts are the ultimate cure for the start thing. But it seems to be a normal Mazda thing...

 

[DZnutz]

my yellow top cured it... she fires on the first or second

 

[MSPinVA]

Yeah, i think a battery with more cranking amps would help, it seems all stock batteries suck nowadays anyway.

 

[girth]

Engine Mounts are the ultimate cure for the start thing. But it seems to be a normal Mazda thing...

Nope. I've got the front and rear AWRs in and it made 0 difference.

The engine turns over right away but it's like there's either:
A. No gas to ignite.
or
B. No spark to ignite said gas.

If a different battery helps then it must be a weak spark with the stock battery.(boom03) I don't know. I guess as long as it does start eventually, that's all that really matters.

 

[CatD399]

gotta be the battery: apparently only 550 cca--> i got a few frights in extremely cold weather where my brand new msp took nearly 10 seconds to actually start.... talk about sloooooooooow crankin...

 

[Brian MP5T]

Nope. I've got the front and rear AWRs in and it made 0 difference.

The engine turns over right away but it's like there's either:
A. No gas to ignite.
or
B. No spark to ignite said gas.

If a different battery helps then it must be a weak spark with the stock battery.(boom03) I don't know. I guess as long as it does start eventually, that's all that really matters.

Agreed! Is just seems to turn over with less stress now, Thats all I was trying to say.

 

[girth]

Agreed! Is just seems to turn over with less stress now, Thats all I was trying to say.

Oh. Sorry, I misinterpretted.(smash)

 

[Rich24km]

my car cranks 1st time as soon as i hit the switch takes about 1 second, i didn't have that problem with the MSP. My MP5 took 3 or 4 seconds. Had to turn over like 5 times. MSP does it the 1st......my .02 cents

 

[MSPBlazinYellow]

i noticed it the first time i started my MSP. was worrying a little too, my civic started super fast, MSP takes twice as long, but i guess since it seems to be a normal thing and it can be cured ill stop worrying.