Where to start?

[chaos4NH]

Looking for tips on where to start looking for a starting (Pun intended) problem with my car.
Normally select neutral, push in clutch turn key and car starts. Scenario: Select neutral, push in clutch, turn key, all acc lights come on, motor does not turn over.
Happened out of the blue this after noon.
I got a jump start and drove home, left car running while I cleaned up my carport, drove car into car port, shut it off. Again it would not start.

The starter relay appears to be intact and the wires attached to the clutch pedal under the dash also appear intact.

Where to start?

[n1gzd]

i would think that the starter is bad or it is not getting connection to battery. Can you measuer if 12v is reaching starter? it is obvously not an ignition or neutral safety prob.
rebecca

[Mick]

Sounds like a dead battery. If it started with a jump its probably not the starter. Also could be a bad alternator, but typically that will throw a charge warning light on the dash when the car is running

[n1gzd]

presumably sam checked that first
r

[Chrispy]

Can you measure the battery voltage? And measure it again with the car running (if you can get it jumped)? If the battery voltage is below 12V then it is basically dead - you can bring it in to Autozone and have them run a free battery test to confirm. Need to measure the running voltage as well to confirm that the charging system is working (alternator, voltage regulator etc), should be around 14V or just under.

On some cars the ECU won't trigger the starter solenoid if the voltage drops below a certain threshold. Like Mick said, the starter is just fine since it started with a jump.

[chaos4NH]

Car did not start by jumping, I pushed it and jumped the clutch.The battery is fine. To confuse matters more, car started as normal a few minutes ago. Thinking loose starter ground? will check in the morning.

[Mark Swinehart]

Check your oil temp.

[breakaway500]

^ seconded...

Check the trigger wire (the signal from key to crank)to the starter solenoid. Some models use a bayonet connection and it can lose its grip/contact,especially if it has been removed a few times..like when replacing transaxles and motors...

[joncowen]

Check the clutch switch.

[brucesallen]

Mazda starters like to lose their solenoids- or they go weak, won't pull in. Do you get a click? Get the voltmeter out.

[SEISAN]

Sam,

Had a problem like that several years ago. Some times it would start, sometimes it would't. Found out it was the negative ground that was loose. Tightened it up and never had the problem again.

When i had the problem with the old style starter, then I used the hammer method....

S n B

[chaos4NH]

^ seconded...

Check the trigger wire (the signal from key to crank)to the starter solenoid. Some models use a bayonet connection and it can lose its grip/contact,especially if it has been removed a few times..like when replacing transaxles and motors...

This seems to be the most likely cause at this point. Crawled around under the car for a few hours yesterday and did get results a couple of times when wiggling on the wires with the spade connector going into the solenoid. Not consistent results, however. Now to try to figure out how to unplug the connector while lying on back with motor 3" from face! Damn, wish I had a 4 post lift!

[chaos4NH]

Five Stars to Mark Stellato!
Thanks for all the input.