MX-3.com

whats the problem with the car dying? does it die when it warms up? If it does it could be one of the coils, if there is a broken wire and when it warms up the wires separate and the car dies.

That's exactly the problem. Once its warm it dies. As I said we changed the internal coil because the numbers we were getting didn't match up with what the online manual said now we are working back.

what do you mean numbers? Have you tried to do a diagnosis on your car? ie sticking a paperclip in your diagnosis box and reading the codes off the flashing check engine light?

???? I didn't know about that. I've only really worked on Jeeps and I have books for them. Where's the diagnoses box?

basically for OBDI (On Board Diagnosys 1) cars, you can put a paperclip between the bins labeled TEN and GND. once youve done this go into your car with a pen and paper and turn the ignition to on and the chek engine light will come on through its regular routine and stay there for about 3 seconds. After the light goes off, if you do have erros, the check engine light will flash a sequence of flashes telling you what is wrong. The flashed will go like this: ffllaaassshh(long blink) flash flash flash this means code 13. or ffffflllllaaassshhh ffflllaaassshhh flash flash this means code 22. there is a list of codes somewhere on the online manual.

here is the CEL code how to for the mx-3...

http://www.atlantamx3.com/mocaforum/vie ... 06658ea03b

just making sure but you are aware that the mx-3s manual is online on the mx-3.com site? the only better manual than it is the actual shop manual which you can find on ebay from time to time, or if you know someone that already has the digital version get it from them.

Yeah Ebay is your friend for this one, i got the shop manual for my car for under $20. It covers more cars but it covers more then enough on the MX-3. I think there is two types of books, ones that cover the years 90-93 and the other one (which i don't know of because my car is a 93 so...).

Edit: This is the book im talking about
http://cgi.ebay.ca/1990-1993-Chiltons-R ... dZViewItem

no no no i'm not talking chiltons or hanes i'm talking real mazda service manual and tech manuals that they use. they have all the specs that you'll ever need
there are also digital versions of these books floating around, i happen to be so lucky to have one
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1993-Maz ... 0114QQrdZ1

and then...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1992-MAZ ... 2242QQrdZ1

Ok I think we figured out the problem. The exciter was toast, either that or the wiring harness that someone put on after was messed up. I think I'm going to buy a shop manual. The online manual is great but I like to have a book beside me when I'm looking at the motor.