1997 Protege Starting Problem

[Patrick Folts]

I'm a newbie on this site, and I'm happy to find other fellow Mazda enthusiast. Here's one that that should get you thinking:

I have a 1997 Protege LX with AC, manual shift and about 80K miles. This is just one of two of these exact model cars I own. This one has developed a problem starting. It's intermittent so the mechanics who have looked at it either can't replicate the problem or come close to figuring it out. The car will crank just fine, but it takes between 5 to 15 times to start when it's acting up. First thought was a timing belt. The belt was replaced. Then possibly a fuel problem so I had the fuel filter replaced. Since it's not getting any worse over the past 3 months I've been experiencing the problem, I'm thinking it's unlikely that it's an ignition problem but nonetheless I'm planning to replace the coil just to make sure. Anyhow, I'm just at a loss as to what may be going on. Any ideas to look for would be GREATLY appreciated!!!!

[mannydingo]

Having two of the exact same cars is a blessing. I'm figuring you've done what I would do: take off your spark plug wires from one vehicle to the other. If problem stays the same, do the same with rotor and cap, etc, etc, etc. Keep parts lables so you know which came from what car. Since you've probably done all that, my first suspicion is the starter or starter solenoid. Take your starter, complete with solenoid, off your good car and try it on the bad car. If problem persists, just keep that one on the bad car and put the other on the good car. If the good car doesn't act up then your ok with keeping it that way. It's up to you if you want to keep the same car's parts on either car. It's just more work removing the part again just to put it on the car it originally came from just from fear you are creating problems to the good car. The choice is yours. Make sure there isn't just a loose connection to the starter, battery or someplace else. Did you check for corrosion on the battery posts and rings?

[sky_can]

Once the car started once, do you experience the same hard start problem immediately after you shut it off? I have a vehicle if I leave the car parked for a couple days, I'll have a hard time starting. Once the car is started, the problem goes away.

If your having similar behaviour, the fuel pressure regulator might be to blame. A small leak in the regular may cause fuel pressure not being maintained when the car is not running. Cranking it many times will prime the fuel line again and the car will eventually start.