My car won't start... situation (I suppose we could call it that)

This morning I got in my car, started it, turned over, but wouldn't fire. It sounds like a slow turnover and the exhaust smells like starter fluid (but I haven't used any starting fluid...). I left it alone, went to work and came back this afternoon to try to get it to start. I thought it might be the battery so I replaced it with a brand new one. Again the car wouldn't start. The dash lights that came on were the power steering failure, the battery light, and the check engine light while it was trying to fire. Thought I might have flooded the engine so did the fantastic Mazda de-flood procedure. And also reset the RAM and NVRAM (?). Now the car makes random clicking noises and nothing else. The lights go dim, the headlights don't turn on, the brake lights flash/flicker, the power locks don't work, my key buttons don't work, and the dash lights go out. So what does everyone think? I should note that the check engine light came on a few days ago and had the code read at Autozone... the computer said, small vacuum leak and cylinder 2 misfire. The car has just under 40K with all original engine parts. Mods include catback exhaust and DIY intake mod. Oh and I thought it might be flooded because I moved the car last night to my driveway which was like 2 minutes worth of running time. Any suggestions, words of wisdom, help! Thanx in advance!

Jonny Walker

PS. As of right now, the original battery is set back in there and the battery wires are disconnected.

 

Get a good battery, pull the fuel pump relay, crank 10 seconds, wait a few minutes for the starter to cool off, crank for 10 more seconds, wait a couple more minutes for the starter to cool again, and crank 10 more seconds. Replace fuel pump relay, and try to start the car. DSC/traction control lights are normal whenever disconnecting the battery. turn the steering wheel from lock to lock once you start the car, and the next time you start the car, all the lights will be back to normal.

 

battery

 

I'll try that... but I bought a new battery and I'm about 90% sure that wasn't the problem.

 

It sounds like your initial problem was flooding. You can kill a battery pretty quickly just by cranking, which is probably what you did to your first battery. Pull the spark plugs and replace them. They are most likely fouled.

 

my car is doing the same thing except now the sound is just a whine when trying to crank it!