Won't Start

[Maroon]

I haven't been able to start my protege in 2 days. It was running fine, now all of a sudden nothing happens when I turn the key. I hear clicking of relays under the dash, but the starter doesn't turn.

I've been reading threads where people have had the same symptoms, and they turned out to be caused by the alarm . I've held the black button under the dash for 10 seconds, I've disconnected the battery for a few minutes, and I've opened the door with the keys followed by cycling the lock with the fob. Am I doing all of this right? When I unlocked the door with the keys, the alarm went off and I was able to turn it off with the fob. So wouldn't that mean it is reset and functioning correctly.

I realize it could be a lot of other things, but I'm not going to throw time and money at it if there's just something wrong with the alarm.

 

[BobbleCat]

Battery charged? Too cold? Sorry if I'm not all that helpful, as you said it could be a lot of other things but around this time of year(where I am) that is what I check first.

 

[Maroon]

It is very cold here. But the battery does have good voltage, and hasn't shown any signs of slowing down. Of course that doesn't mean it's good. I'll go down the road of running back and forth to Autozone tomorrow that's what it comes to.

I also don't hear the fuel pump kick on. Not that I ever really listened for it before. I'm just wondering if there's an alarm issue does it also cut off the fuel pump?

 

[ap123]

stock ecu doesn't turn on the pump until it senses the engine is turning over.

 

[kms1990]

that sounds like either a battery issue, a starter issue or a starter relay/fuse issue. not an alarm issue. these cars dont have many issues with the alarms and would not be my starting point for starting issues. cold can kill even some of the best batteries at a fairly youthful age (1-2years) cold and long battery life do not mix. take your battery to autozone and have it checked, pick up a starter relay while your there(bring yours with you as autozone computer database doesnt have that info, i know i work at one) if neither of those fix it take off starter and go back and have it tested (they can test it off the car, just giving you this info as many dont know this) if that is still not your issue then fiddle with fuses and the alarm and fuel pump/fuel pump relay.

 

[Maroon]

But where is the starter relay? It's not on the fuse panel maps, and it's not in the FSM? I previously posted a thread about it, but no one knows.

I am able to bump start the car. The battery has good voltage and the alternator is charging. I'll try jumpering to the starter solenoid. If that doesn't work, then I'll have the battery and starter checked.

 

[kms1990]

try having someone tap the starter (big part)with a hammer while you crank it, if it starts then the starter is bad. a battery can have 13 volts and still be bad its not about voltage its about the plates inside and if they are getting enough contact to let current flow.

 

[Maroon]

So the relay is...where?

 

[kms1990]

check under the glove box area where the ecu is. that seems to be a general consensus(from internet searching) of where the starter relay is. (you may have to remove several panels) some also say its built into starter, or right near it, but looking at pictures of starters on autozone's website dont show relay built on so this seems unlikely

 

[pcb]

Your info is in the downloadable parts list. It shows the placement of all relays.

 

[pcb]

(I need that file too,... I have to find it again. (there was beer involved. ))

EDIT,.. I think this is it.

http://www.floptical.net/mazda/parts_web.zip

 

[Maroon]

Thanks a lot for your efforts!

Turns out there was a poor connection at the starter solenoid. I loosened the nut on Terminal "B" 1/4 turn, and it started right up. I cleaned it and the terminal "S" connection as best I could and reconnected them. I wish Mazda would have bothered to leave a little slack in the Terminal "B" wire so you actually pull it off the stud and clean underneath. I don't know how the hell you could remove it if you had to replace the starter.

I haven't been able to download the parts list above, but no parts store lists a starter relay for this car. I don't believe the clicking under the dash is the starter relay, but instead some other relays. Those relays click on when you turn the ignition from "off" to "Acc", and then they go back off when you turn to "Start". They are also unaffected by the clutch pedal meaning they still click regardless of whether you press the pedal. This should not be the case for a stater circuit relay; the clutch switch should cut off the starter relay otherwise it serves no purpose.

 

[kms1990]

Thanks a lot for your efforts!

Turns out there was a poor connection at the starter solenoid. I loosened the nut on Terminal "B" 1/4 turn, and it started right up. I cleaned it and the terminal "S" connection as best I could and reconnected them. I wish Mazda would have bothered to leave a little slack in the Terminal "B" wire so you actually pull it off the stud and clean underneath. I don't know how the hell you could remove it if you had to replace the starter.

I haven't been able to download the parts list above, but no parts store lists a starter relay for this car. I don't believe the clicking under the dash is the starter relay, but instead some other relays. Those relays click on when you turn the ignition from "off" to "Acc", and then they go back off when you turn to "Start". They are also unaffected by the clutch pedal meaning they still click regardless of whether you press the pedal. This should not be the case for a stater circuit relay; the clutch switch should cut off the starter relay otherwise it serves no purpose.

true. glad you got it