Trouble starting

[Peter B]

So I have been noticing this trend. In the morning, when I start the car, it seems to have trouble turning over. Almost like the battery is a little low or something. The engine struggles, almost like if you throw it in 5th gear and try to start. Car shakes, engine kinda rumbles for a sec. I was kind going to see if it worked itself out but this morning it was a bit colder then usual, and it was pretty bad. I was almost afraid she wouldn't start at all for a split second.

My car has 20kmiles on it. After the car has been running its doesnt seem to happen. Also even after sitting at work all day it seems to start fine. I feel like this should not happen until after I hit the 100k mark at least! I change my oil every 5000 miles, use full synth.

I hope its something stupid like a defective starter or crap battery. And I feel like since im still within my 36k warranty, MAZDA should pay for the fix.

Any thoughts on this?

-Pete

 

[GoFast]

have you checked your plugs or cleaned the maf/iat yet? I noticed when I changed mine and cleaned mine, the morning start up smoothed out quite a bit

 

[micronesia]

I'm having the same problem all the sudden, but maybe to a lesser degree than you described it. It struggle for the better part of a second to turn over.

2008.5, 9k miles, got it this past july30

 

[oaklandopen]

i am also getting this, and also hve an 08.5 that just hit 20k today. i thought at first it was the fuel delivery, but it still happened when i would turn the key to KOEO to let the fuel pump "prime" and get some pressure in the lines.

maybe i will check my plugs to see how they look, but it would suck if they needed replacing after only 20k. maybe the tubo is letting some oil escape and get in the intake and thus gunking up a lot of stuff. damn, time for a catch can?

 

[Peter B]

have you checked your plugs or cleaned the maf/iat yet? I noticed when I changed mine and cleaned mine, the morning start up smoothed out quite a bit

maf= air filter i presume?
iat= ?

Sorry still sort of a newb when it comes to working on my car. If it is the air firlter, why would it start better after being driven vs sitting over night?

Also it looks like im not the only one with this issue. Im hoping this is not somethign serious that will plague the car down the road. I love my MS3 and want to drive it to at least 150k miles or until it falls apart.

 

[oaklandopen]

IAT = inlet air temp? = little thermometer thingy? lol

MAF = mass air flow (sensor)

 

[mattj3636]

maf is mass air flow or somethin like that, but its the sensor on your air intake tub, which is also where ur iat sensor is, intake air temp sensor, there both in the same connector, just take out the 2 screws and disconnect the connector and use MAF cleaner and spray it down, the youll want to spray the amber looking bulb thats visible and up into the actual unit where there are two metal wires, thats the actual MAF, be careful not to damage those.

youll know what im talking about once u pop it off

 

[MikeHTally]

MAF=mass air flow sensor. IAT= intake air temp sensor. Sounds to me like the battery may have an issue. Don't know if the warranty will help. The battery is an expendable.

 

[oaklandopen]

maf is mass air flow or somethin like that, but its the sensor on your air intake tub, which is also where ur iat sensor is, intake air temp sensor, there both in the same connector, just take out the 2 screws and disconnect the connector and use MAF cleaner and spray it down, the youll want to spray the amber looking bulb thats visible and up into the actual unit where there are two metal wires, thats the actual MAF, be careful not to damage those.

youll know what im talking about once u pop it off

we have that type of MAF sensor? makes sense now cuz of ppl having to get the air straighteners for whatever type of intake

i wonder if the MAFs can be switched out with a different type like a vane type or sonic type and get more accurate readings with no turbulence issues

 

[my3needsaname]

I may not be a speed but I feel my experiencewith a problem like this is useful, my car starts fine in the garage no matter how cold it is, the garage usually stays around 45-50F on the coldest nights, but when it sits on the driveway
it has troubles starting in the morning.
Idk if your car is garaged or not but if you can, park it in a personal garage or something overnight and see in the morning.

 

[mattj3636]

we have that type of MAF sensor? makes sense now cuz of ppl having to get the air straighteners for whatever type of intake

i wonder if the MAFs can be switched out with a different type like a vane type or sonic type and get more accurate readings with no turbulence issues

yes sir, pop it off and you can see the little guys up in there, but idk about the other types and whether or not they are better.

and another plus for cleaning your MAF, you get back some lost power, dirty MAFs send false readings limiting power, i cleaned mine a couple weeks back and could definately feel improvements for only the price of the MAF cleaner.

 

[Peter B]

my car usually is parked in the garage. It doesnt seem to matter so much if i garage it or leave it out. It seems more temp dependent and length of time sitting.

-Pete

 

[mattj3636]

well its known taht in the winter and minus temps or close to minus temps will make the cars crank rpm's lower, much lower and start times much slower..

mine cranks muchh slower and takes longer to start during buffalo winters when its 0 degrees out daily in the morning..

maybe its just in your head, take a video or something

 

[Peter B]

Definitely not in my head. The car almost didn't start this morning. If it had been below freezing sure i might have understood, even though all winter it started fine with no problems. The worst case for this morning would have been 40 degrees. Car was in the garage over night.

 

[MikeHTally]

Yeow! Glad I'm in Florida. I don't start so well either when it's that cold. It was a muggy 76 here this morning.

 

[mattj3636]

Definitely not in my head. The car almost didn't start this morning. If it had been below freezing sure i might have understood, even though all winter it started fine with no problems. The worst case for this morning would have been 40 degrees. Car was in the garage over night.

yes then nevermind, definately take it to mazda, leave it there overnight, and go tehre in the morning and have them start it, if you have a second car/friend/parent/sibling/significant other/child/limo/cab/bus/train/plane/boat to get you and bring you back haha

 

[my3needsaname]

my car usually is parked in the garage. It doesnt seem to matter so much if i garage it or leave it out. It seems more temp dependent and length of time sitting.

-Pete

I believe this, my car is just about always in the garage except for the first few months I owned it. It used to be fine no matter what temperature it was to start but now (after being in the garage for about 8 months every night) it doesn't like to start in the morning during a night of cooler temperatures (60 below). Anyways to restate myself, it used to be fine starting after a cold night but now it has major issues with starting around 7-9am after a night on the driveway. If started around 11am once the sun has warmed it some it starts like usual.

 

[Super Unique]

Let's not forget that the stock battery in most cars aren't the best ones they make. My last new vehicle needed a new battery in less than 2 years. Slow crank in moderate temps means check the connections, and if good check the battery.

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

Funny

So I have been noticing this trend. In the morning, when I start the car, it seems to have trouble turning over. Almost like the battery is a little low or something. The engine struggles, almost like if you throw it in 5th gear and try to start. Car shakes, engine kinda rumbles for a sec. I was kind going to see if it worked itself out but this morning it was a bit colder then usual, and it was pretty bad. I was almost afraid she wouldn't start at all for a split second.

My car has 20kmiles on it. After the car has been running its doesnt seem to happen. Also even after sitting at work all day it seems to start fine. I feel like this should not happen until after I hit the 100k mark at least! I change my oil every 5000 miles, use full synth.

I hope its something stupid like a defective starter or crap battery. And I feel like since im still within my 36k warranty, MAZDA should pay for the fix.

Any thoughts on this?

-Pete

I just started noticing this last week. Happened today leaving work after sitting for 9 hours. It was outside but it wasn't a cold day. I aslo garage the car all the time. I'll be keeping an eye on it. I'll double-check the battery tomorrow. You're description likening this to trying to start up in 5th gear is a great description. Exactly what I hear.

FYI, I was at the dealer today getting the tire on my my wife's Mz5 fixed (nail) and asked Omar if he ever heard anything like this with his speed and he said he didn't think so. He told me to bring it by. I may do it at lunch one day. At least they can check the battery health.

 

[Saskatchewan17]

My car does that too... but to a lesser extent... It has 4,200 miles on it.