2004, 6-MT, 54,XXX

The car was running fin on friday before a 130 mile trip. I arrived at my destination, let the car sit for an hour or so and then tried to start it up... worked fine. Drove about 5-6 miles came back.


Let the car sit over night and tried to start it up and it didn't turn over right away. Now in order to start the car I have to crank it abnormally long or crank multiple times. I was thinking the battery might be going on me but I had it checked and it tested as being fine.

I still kind of hope it's the battery or starter but I would like your opinions to see if it's something bigger. The nearest mazda dealer is pretty far away and I don't know of any reputable rotary shops that are close... any advice would be appreciated.

 

How did you check the battery?

How old is the battery?

Is it a stock battery?

 

do you have the upgraded starter?

 

The dealers wouldn't give us upgraded starters in Calif.

We don't have cold weather so can't duplicate.

Lord knows how many times we tried.

I bet it is not upgraded.

 

have no clue how old the battery is, it was there when I bought the car. It's a green Interstate battery.

the battery check was done at a local kragen in a big old machine... there was no technical info given other than "Good battery" on an LED screen. Hope that helps.

I have no clue about the starter.

 

Bought a battery... still has the hesitation. Suckysville.

 

i got it just fine. weird

 

+1
Big difference with the upgraded starter.

 

Yeah, if you're still getting good cranks out of the battery, it is def. not that. Depending on how you're feeling, you can take the new battery back.

I would agree and say it is your starter. I would venture to say it does this more when the engine is hot?

 

yes, i notice it's more difficult to turn it over when it's been warmed up.

 

I would say starter for sure then...

Getting an upgraded starter will be a very good start, but if it still does it after that, you're looking at a compression test to see if you get a new engine.

Those are my thoughts.

 

If there was a problem with the motor, wouldn't I notice something while driving? You're scaring me a little bit here...

 

Not trying to steal the topic, but I think I might have a similar issue with my 2005. I know there is a bulletin out about an extended crank or hesitation or something similar....

I don't know if I would call mine a "hesitated" crank. I turn the key, it cranks. But it doesn't fire right up all the time. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it takes 2-3 seconds of cranking. And the times that I've noticed it to be longer are always while the engine is warm. I've had two friends ride with me separately who noticed it and thought so much of it that they actually said something right then and there. So I know it's just not me that noticing something that's really not there. Recently replaced the stock battery with a new, higher CCA, one and it didn't change anything.

What is this upgraded starter you all speak of? Is that what the dealer does to remedy the bulletin?

 

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...48-06-1691.pdf

try this though:
before cranking, leave it in the "on" position for a couple of secs

 

It is possible that thermal expansion of some of your engine componants have lead to creating a bad seal at the apex seals... worn seals, imperfections in the housing surfaces, etc... this would lead to low compression, covered under the 100k mile engine core warranty, voila! New engine!

. . . that said: upgrade the starter first unless someone else with some more knowledge than me can back me up. Most dealers are 75 bucks for a compression test. (needs to be done at a dealer because of the rotary - normal compression testers won't work.)

If you do have low compression, the dealer will eat the 75 dollar service charge and chances are your new engine will come with an upgraded starter.

 

No I would get a compression test first.

Here's why... the cost of the new starter is big BUCKS!

I've heard anywhere from 400 to 700.

 

More like $267.89 from OnlineMazdaParts.com and you might be able to get it cheaper from a vendor.

 

I just replaced the starter and no go... still hesitates and I noticed a lack of power earlier today and yesterday. A couple of times after shutting down, I noticed that the fan remained on for about 5-10 mins.

I'm taking it to the dealership to have it checked out on Saturday...

 

I changed the oil last night when I installed the starter, I haven't checked the MAF but I'll make sure to clean that tonight.

 

Your interstate battery is the old stock one at 500 CCA.

The new one is 550 CCA.

You have 54k, when was the last tune up?

 

the vehicle was purchased from a mazda dealership who updated the maintenance before purchase. I bought the car with 44,XXX miles and have changed the oil 2 times since I bought it.

 

i've read a bit about this hesitation...my 04 does seem to hesitate when starting it warm. I've also observed a bit of hesitation while taking off in first for a short bit. Once it gets to around 6000rpm it runs smoother.

Anyone know what this can be??