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Car wont start. Weird problem.

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Old 12-28-2006, 09:23 PM
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Taylor not Tyler
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Car wont start. Weird problem.

Today I reset my computer after swapping out my cold air intake back to the stock air box.

Took it out for a ride, it felt fine. The ride was about 10 minutes.

Came back home. Parked it in the garage.

Went inside for a few hours, had to go out to the market so I went to get in the 8 again.

Won't start.

But before I get in, the remote unlocks the door. The inside lights turn on.
When key is in the "On" position, all the lights are there, then as soon as I turn it to start I hear nothing. All inside lights die, all dash lights die. No clicking from the engine compartment, nothing to indicate that the car is trying to start or turn over. Just a scary silence.

In the dash theres a small red light in the shape of a car that slowly fades out in about 3 seconds.

Wtf is happening?
Old 12-28-2006, 09:37 PM
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Mu ha.. ha...
 
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dead battery?
Old 12-28-2006, 09:54 PM
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Taylor not Tyler
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Wouldn't I heard the rapid ticking?

Would I have noticed lights dimming, or anything else seeming "not right" before this?

Just seems to have come out of nowhere.

*shrug*

I guess I'll try to jump it in the morning.
Old 12-28-2006, 09:57 PM
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back track the process of installing the stock airbox, seems weird it would occur after reinstalling it.
Old 12-28-2006, 10:17 PM
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I agree w/ dillsrotary.
Old 12-29-2006, 03:59 AM
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Originally Posted by abbid
Im willing to bet loose battery terminal..
yep.

beers
Old 12-29-2006, 04:48 AM
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Battery terminal or you left a light on or something.
Old 12-29-2006, 06:17 AM
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the WANKEL made me do it
 
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I think its your theft system. Maybe the CHIP in your key went bad.
Old 12-29-2006, 09:34 AM
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Taylor not Tyler
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Originally Posted by abbid
I'm willing to bet loose battery terminal..
I hope so. I did disconnect the battery at one point during the process. I'll have to go down and make sure they're connected tight.

Could be gunked up with battery acid also.



ps: On a lot of cars, I've see the white / blueish battery acid fuzz type stuff. The 8 was the first car I've seen have purple goo around the terminals. Weird.

Guys, thanks a lot. I appreciate it.
Old 12-29-2006, 09:36 AM
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Taylor not Tyler
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Originally Posted by Mazda-Rati
I think its your theft system. Maybe the CHIP in your key went bad.
So then technically I can use the valet key right?
Old 12-29-2006, 10:33 AM
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the WANKEL made me do it
 
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yep. I had a key made when I bought my 8 and the dealers machine was down so they couldn't connect to mazda to program my key. They didn't tell me this until after when I had already tried to use the key and the the car would not turn over. I would get all of the lights and radio and everything, but when I turned it over, NOTHING, no clicks. just the flashing red theft light.
Old 12-29-2006, 11:38 AM
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Taylor not Tyler
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Originally Posted by abbid
Im willing to bet loose battery terminal..
You were right. One of the terminals was loose enough to freely rotate.

I must have inadvertently loosened it when disconnecting it last night. So I disconnected both terminals, cleaned them, then re tightened everything. Car started. Hoorah.

Took it out for a little morning run. The car runs much stronger now that I have the aftermarket intake removed. But that could also be from resetting the computer.

She's fun to drive again.



Thanks for the other suggestions guys.
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