MX5 MK2.5 Wont start PLEASE HELP!!

MX5 MK2.5 Wont start PLEASE HELP!!

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EdwardCMX5

Original Poster:

3 posts

86 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
quotequote all
Hi there,

I am new to this forum, after only recently purchasing this MX5. However my first issue with it has come about and I have turned to the internet for help!

The situation is: Sunday night after a weekend away I come home, and of course the first thing I do is fire up the MX5 just to check she is alright! However, It was not starting, I eventually get her going after jump starting it, however it did take 10 mins of charging just to get it to go. So I think I have a dud battery, so I got and buy a brand new Bosch S5 and that seems to solve it.

However then I think, maybe the battery was just a bit flat and switch it back to the old one (hoping to save £130), now the starter motor just keeps on turning over without it ever firing and the imobbillisor warning light comes on from time to time. I put the new Bosch battery back in and it does the same, the engine just keeps on turning over with plenty of power but it doesnt catch. It does occasionally fire up once but then the revs just cut out, as if there is no fuel. (there is half a tank). I even try to jump start the new battery and all it does is make the starter motor turn over quicker and still doesnt get going. Also it intermittently doesnt crank at all and when you turn the key you get nothing.

Update to today, all the car does is make a very fast clicking noise in the engine bay.

I have bought a diagnostic reader however it doesnt seem to show any error codes, even though the engine and battery warning lights come on when you turn on the ignition.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I am only a student and stupidly spent all my money on this car so have no money for garage fees!
Can post videos of the symptoms if that would help. I am only a novice in this area! Alternatively if any kind people are out there in the surrey area and fancy giving me a hand I would be highly grateful!

Many thanks

Edward


MX5 2.5 1.8L Euphonic 2004

hornetrider

63,161 posts

211 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
quotequote all
Sounds like you may have flooded it trying the original dud battery, and now the new battery is low.

First things first, let it sit for a while, get the new battery in, then jump it. Hopefully it'll start and you can go for a long drive.

Bin the original battery.

EdwardCMX5

Original Poster:

3 posts

86 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
quotequote all
Hi,

Thanks for getting back to me. I have left it days in-between with the new battery trying to start it.

Shanksy87

380 posts

128 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
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Air, fuel, spark, compression. If you have these it will run so start the hunt for which is missing, make no assumptions until tested.

Whilst you're debugging keep both battery's in the picture to avoid low voltage buggering up other things.

Ozone

3,050 posts

193 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
quotequote all
Had similar to this recently with my step daughters 53 plate MX5, replaced the battery and it seemed ok for a couple of days. it was the cam position sensor, apparently very common. £45 from my Indie garage and very easy to replace. It's on the top of the engine at the back nearest the bulkhead.

We did get a code P0012 on the diagnostic box though so you may not have the same problem but it's a fairly cheap part to replace if you are stuck.

hornetrider

63,161 posts

211 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
quotequote all
EdwardCMX5 said:
Hi,

Thanks for getting back to me. I have left it days in-between with the new battery trying to start it.
Yeah I get that. From what you've written with the clicking noise now on the new battery, I think you have run down the new battery after firing it for the second time trying to start a flooded engine, if that makes sense.

One thing from my old days with a MK1 was I left the ignition on too long without the engine running and burnt a coil pack. It's an easy check, Google will help.

MX-5 Lazza

7,952 posts

225 months

Sunday 13th August 2017
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Has it been sat out in heavy rain? Particularly with the car pointing down a slope?

fatjon

2,298 posts

219 months

Monday 14th August 2017
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The clicking is the solenoid which is a sign of a very flat battery, get it on charge over night.

The engine management on these cars has a useful feature for clearing a flooded engine. Hold the throttle above 90% open while cranking it over and it will inject no fuel in order to clean up the wet spark plugs. After a few (15 ish) seconds of cranking it will splutter into life as you release the pedal to get the fuel flowing.