P5 wouldn't start this morning

[Neb33]

Hi Everybody
    This morning, my P5 woudln't start. It ketp cranking, but eventually after 4 or 5 tries it started and there was a strong smell of gasoline. I did not give it any gas so I did not flood the engine. What could be the cause of this? I would not expect this from a new car and the weather outside isnt' that cold yet.

I have a Ractive intake, could this be caused by water getting in? due to the heavy rain the last few days?

Please advise.

Ben

[MixedAznBoy]

does the car start up and then die after? like its stalling?

[Neb33]

No, once it's started it's fine. But the fact that it took 4 tries to start it was a little disappointing.

Ben

[Protege5girl]

I've had this happen a couple of times. Brought the car in, and of course they could not duplicate the problem. I have no idea what the problem is but it seems to happen when the car the is still warm. I.e. when i try to restart after I fill up with gas.

[Fhemto]

For me, it's a bit different. I have trouble starting the car sometimes, and I think it's because of the cold. My car is in the garage and it's pretty cool in there. Sometimes I would have to hold on to the key for about 2 seconds to get the car to start.


P.S. Sondra, I like your cow avatar better.

[Familia 323]

It's possible your new intake caused it due to the rain, but unlikely. Moisture can also set in very quickly on ignition components such as wires and plugs and can easily foul everything up. Like Sondra said, it's really quite frustrating when a Mazda technician couldn't locate the problem when serviced, so I suggest you keep hounding them. The car is new so I can understand your disappointment....

[Mike_Moss]

is this only happening after letting the car sit for long periods of time???


ps. yeah, thats a freaky avatar, what is that anyway?!

[Fhemto]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (mike_moss @ Oct. 02 2002,4:09)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">is this only happening after letting the car sit for long periods of time???[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Yea, for me at least.

[Protege5girl]

When my car sits for short periods. Like 5 minutes.

Nick got me searching for a new avatar.

[Honda Etr]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Neb33 @ Oct. 02 2002,3:47)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Hi Everybody
    I did not give it any gas so I did not flood the engine.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Ben your cars fuel injected, which means you can't flood it:) There may be a problem with the fuel delivery system.

[CarDemon]

Simple bandaid solutions would be to spray some 'Ignition Dry &amp; Go' and 'Silicone Wire Protectant' over the ingnition wires and all electrical looking parts. I know that's probably not the cure, but seasonal temp. changes like the ones were going through, may be a factor.

This may be silly, but a mechanic told me to start the car in these steps. Slowly turn the key to accessories until one sees all those check intrumentation lights come on. Do this and hold it there for around 2 seconds and then crank the engine. Perhaps!!! whatever juice and electricity needs to flow to whatever in abundance and some transitor computer crap loop gets somethin' somethin'more. Oh damn, I'm not too technical sorry.

As for hard cranking time after 5 minutes I heard of something within the fuel lines of the gas boiling or evaporating from the heated engine. I'll have to do my reading but the situation not major, there are some little things I can't think of now, but I'll read my little Automotive for Dummies and post again. http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blush.gif

[ChopstickHero]

my check engine light came on ... fak

[ALS-protege]

Hey Mike....
Is the engine still there??? [hahaha...someone foolish was gonna say that!]

Who am I to say this...but here goes anyways...check the sensors on your intake...Why...don't know why...but Steve mentioned that if the sensors act up, the check engine light will come on....
Was I much Help? I don't think so...
I tried though!

[WhiteyFord]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (CarDemon @ Oct. 02 2002,5:45)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">This may be silly, but a mechanic told me to start the car in these steps. Slowly turn the key to accessories until one sees all those check intrumentation lights come on. Do this and hold it there for around 2 seconds and then crank the engine. Perhaps!!! whatever juice and electricity needs to flow to whatever in abundance and some transitor computer crap loop gets somethin' somethin'more. Oh damn, I'm not too technical sorry.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
This is really good advice, and I do this on my old 1987 Honda. Basically, if I try to just crank the car in one turn of the key, it won't start. But if I turn the key to the access position for a few seconds then turn, the car happily springs to life.

I've also found the Mazda hard to start a few times. Very strange for a new car. Next time it happens try disconnecting this VTCS solendoid cause that seems to be like 99% of the problems with these cars http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif