Turned the key, no turn-over or noise at all.

[shinobisama]

I drove my car about 120 miles yesterday (round-trip San Antonio to Austin, TX). Just before I got home my gas light came on, but the gas station near my neighborhood closes early so I figured I'd refill gas in the morning.

This morning I went to start the car to get to work and as I turned the key, absolutely nothing. No noise, clicking or any attempt for the engine to start. The battery is still strong, all components in the car are functional, including all marker lights/headlights. I've put a gallon of gas in it this morning, and also had my g/f attempt to jump the car just in case it may've been battery related, also nothing.

I have read it may be a possible starter issue, or maybe it's a fuel issue (dried out)?? I need help as this is my first mechanical issue with the MSP.

NOTE: Before this issue, the car was running great, did my car really just die in a matter of 8-9 hours?

PS--Also any link to service manuals for the 2003.5 Protege would be helpful, I do not own a Workshop Manual for the MSP. (sad1)

 

[njaremka]

shop manual -
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123744857-3rd-Gen-Workshop-Manual-(P5-MSP-MP3-also)

sounds like a battery issue to me. if its never been replaced, its 8 years old? most car batteries only last 4-5 at the most.

 

[shinobisama]

I assumed so, myself. However even with an older battery would a jump show some signs of life? We got nothing after attempting to jump the car...

The battery has also been replaced before I bought it. It is not an OEM battery--Everlast battery I believe, and fairly new. I bought this vehicle in April 2011.

 

[hornsfan10609]

Check your fuses, especially the one on the alarm. If it wont crank at all its probably electrical like a fuse, bad ground, or the alarm freaking out. Fuel pump could have died but i would check the pump relay and fuse first.

 

[shinobisama]

Would a pump problem make any noise at all when I turned the key to attempt to start the car? I literally get nothing at all when the key turns. Just silence....

 

[J_Naoto]

+1 for maybe being the alarm?

 

[destineal]

Yeah, I've gone through the trouble to push start my car(FAIL), only to find out my alarm was the culprit. If you have the Key fob, activate the alarm then deactivate it.

 

[StealthWyvern]

+1 for maybe being the alarm?

Yeah, I've gone through the trouble to push start my car(FAIL), only to find out my alarm was the culprit. If you have the Key fob, activate the alarm then deactivate it.

+9873093287402387 As this is more then likely the OPers issue. The factory alarm on these cars suck balls and are known to go out.

 

[shinobisama]

Thanks all for the help--I will check all available options for fixing the alarm issue. I failed to mention that when I bought it back in APR, the alarm was supposedly "disabled". I apparently have some searching to do in order to fix this, but it sounds promising. I will update when I find the prob.

edit: now if only there was something easily showing where every fuse in the car were so I could check. I'm finding fuses attached to wires in the cabin underneath the steering column... ugh the journey begins....

 

[njaremka]

hmm, forgot about the alarm.

there should only be two "stock" fuse locations: one under the hood, and the other in the drivers door jamb behind the dash. anything else is aftermarket.

 

[hornsfan10609]

The fuse you see under the steering column that is just on a harness, not in the fuse box by the floor, is the fuse for the alarm system. If it is blown your car will not crank.

 

[shinobisama]

Yes, I found a fuse attached to a wiring harness that was 20A. It was fine, but in the process found a rat's nest of loose cabling. Ugh, I hate electrical problems....

 

[powderider87]

Alarm or maybe the clutch switch just so happened to go out.

 

[Tuners and Rods]

Or the starter relay.

 

[Ricktalife]

My guess is on the starter. First time I changed my oil in the drive way I accidentally bumped the connector for the starter when tightening the oil filter. Apparently the connector is broken and it came loose so I just had to plug it in. But yea I almost s*** a brick when I turned the key and heard nothing lol. If it were a battery, you should definitely hear a clicking noise unless it were completely toasted but if it only sat overnight that should not be the case.

 

[01CrznMp3]

I had the same issue once. I went to leave work and the car didnt do anything. Put it on the rack went to test voltage at starter and it started when the wire was bumped. The connector on the starter gets corrosion and prevents connectivity. It could very well be the clutch switch as powder mentioned. If it was a starter it would just make a single click and not turn over. If it was the battery dead it would keep constantly clicking, click click click click.

 

[shinobisama]

Thanks to all who replied to this post. After a long break from the forum, I did finally figure out that the alarm system was shorting out a connection from the battery.

Again, thank you all.