Tried looking at the sticky posts but couldnt find an actual description of what a flooded engine sounds like. I drove it this weekend and the empty tank light hit as i was getting home. Figured ok first thing I do when I go somewhere next I get gas. Well I tried starting it this morning started up sounded like it was struggling then died within 10 seconds. I figured lower than I thought on gas so grabbed the gas can got some more and tanked up a bit. Gage reads 1/4 of a tank. I hear the pump prime, the engine still cranks and everything has power but refuses to turn over. Is it flooded or she just being picky with me? Oh its an 04 with 45k on it

 

I would attempt to start it a few more times (don't crank it more than 10 sec each time).
I've had luck starting a flooded engine by just simply cranking it multiple times (sometimes a good 6-8 times)
Since I've upgraded to an Optima battery, I've been able to get away with multiple cranks without draining the battery.
But I still need to purchase the upgraded starter since that is a known issue with the earlier models and has been the cause of weaken starts.

If that doesn't work, then follow the many ways to deflood your engine.

 

Tried that, waited till after work to come home and still nothing...With everything still working and it attempting to work at first is what made me think flooded though no idea what it sounds like. Right now everything sounds normal with the exception of not starting

 

If you are hearing the "cranks" get faster and faster, you are close to starting it.
Once you hear it, you'll know what I'm talking about.
You can tell when the motor is close to starting, then you just keep cranking it until it starts.
Then you'll see white smoke coming from the exhaust.
Just have a battery charger ready just in case.

I actually flooded mine a few days ago, moved my car and didn't let it warm up enough.
I usually use the windshield washer fluid technique to deflood an engine, but I was able to get it started after about 6 long cranks.

 

I'll give it a shot. best I can do at the moment since i have no cash and i really dont want to drive my wife's alero to work every night -shudders- its so slow lol

 

Like I said, if you can't get it going with just cranking, try one of the various deflooding techniques.

 

I have a similar problem with my '05 RX-8 with 60K miles on it..

Just got home from work after not driving the car for 4 weeks and tried to start the car.. All the lights on the panel light up as normal except the engine doesn't start and all I hear is a constant clicking sound.. That's not the cranking sound is it? I've tried it half a dozen times with no luck.

Could it be a weak battery? I didn't disconnect it while I went away.. Any comments/advise would be appreciated

 

That sounds like a bad battery.. does it even try to start? Does the engine turn over?

 

that's my first reaction when it wouldn't even try to crank, just a clicking sound and the engine doesn't turn over.. I'll try and jump start it in the morning and see how that goes.

 

Ah yes, battery then. Careful not to flood it on the jump start. Semi-long cranks.

 

I just got the roadside assistance to jump start the car this morning and it's all good. It was a weak battery as it was reading 11.4V. I think it is time to change out the OEM battery ~lasted 5 yrs now.

 

OK sorry to thread jack but someone else did already. I have the same thing going on with my 04 w/ 80k miles. The coils and plugs were replaced about 15k miles ago. Battery is new since I thought that was the issue. Gas was low so I threw some more in. Still no start. WTF. I am so annoyed. I didn't start the car for like 3 weeks now it won't start. Could the starter be shot? Is there anyway to know if it is? Would the starter go from it just sitting there? It cranks but does not start. Any input would be wonderful. Bleh.

 

^Sounds like your car is probably flooded.
Search for how to deflood the engine (I can think of 5 off the top of my head).
Your owner's manual also mentions Mazda's way to deflood (which doesn't always work).

 

If it doesn't even try to turn over, then its probably not a weak battery problem, unless it got stone dead somehow. Check the neutral position sensor, clutch pedal sensor, and make sure that the car alarm didn't activate. All three will prevent the starter motor from running.

 

OK so I finally got it started. Pulled the plugs, e-shaft sensor and fuel pump fuse and cranked it a few times put everything back in and she started up after 4 or 5 long cranks. Thanks all. Hope the op got his working as well.