Some insight please...

[djjuscuz]

So the other day as I was leaving Windsor to go home to Toronto for the weekend and my poor mx-3 broke down just as I was about to get on the 401. I was changing gears as per norm and I suddenly lost power and could not accelerate, so I was forced to pull over. Everything seemed fine, no engine or transmission leaks, no gas leaks, battery was good, engine was cranking, but did not start. I know the problem may be one of many but I hoping someone could just provide me with some insight please.

BTW... i noticed when the engine cranked, even when i stepped on the gas pedal, I couldn't really smell any gas (the smell comes from flooding?). Could this be a fuel filter or fuel pump problem possibly?

Thanks in advance for any help!

[Nd4SpdSe]

Could be an air/vacuum leak. The flexible intake tube tends to develop cracks with age. I don't remember with the 4cyl guys, but I could be an ignitor/coil failure too.

[umcamara]

Check engine light??

[Ryan]

If your car has the DOHC 1.6 motor, I'd suggest checking the distributor as well. It is prone to failure....

[djjuscuz]

i tried checking for the engine light codes and nothing came up...

also, i have a 1993 sohc.. but i will check the disty.

[Inodoro Pereyra]

Dj: what you're asking is like calling the doctor and saying "doctor, I'm not feeling well...what can it be?".
My point is: there's a whole lot of reasons why you can have that kind of problem. Some of them are:

Like ND said, it can be a vacuum leak.
It can be a spark problem. That means it can be the coil, the distributor cap, the rotor, the pickup, the wires, the module, a number of sensors.
It can be a fuel delivery problem. That means the fuel pump, strainer, fuel filter, fuel pump relay, wiring, fuses.

I'm pretty sure I'm forgetting something. If you have the time (which can be a few minutes or several days), start by checking the fuses, especially the main fuse (easy, just honk the horn), the fuel injection fuse (#1 in the fuse block, in the engine bay), and the "st sign" fuse (#9, controls the ECU).
If they're all ok, find the fuel pump relay, and test it.
If everything is ok, check for a vacuum leak (most of the times, a visual inspection should be good enough, if you're really thorough), and do a complete tune up (new spark plugs, wires, disty cap, rotor, fuel filter, pcv.) if that doesn't solve the problem, report back and we'll take it from there...

[djjuscuz]

I understand what I'm asking is very vague, but I just wanted to know some problems that people could suggest so I could check for them... Thanks for all the help.. I will definately take this advice and report back...

Thanks Inodoro

[Inodoro Pereyra]

You're welcome.

I just wanted to make sure you were aware of the variety of things that can cause your problem, and of the fact that if you're not lucky, it can take you some time (and/or money) to finally get it fixed.

[PilotSmack89]

I agree - could be one of many, many things. I've noticed that extreme summers absolutely decimate distributors and spark plugs, may be a place to start. A friend of mine just spent $200 on a towtruck, and then $300 on a mechanic to determine that her MX3 died of sludged up spark plugs (that were replaced in March).. Hers died on the middle of a highway, and went out pretty much the same way yours did, for what its worth

[SuperK]

Did you check your timing? My belt jumped on me on my ZE and it just powered down, cranked but didn't do anything.
Just pull the cover and align your marks to check if you're in spec.

[djjuscuz]

Thank You too all who enlightened me with their insight and knowledge.

The problem was not major at all; I needed to replace the ignition coil.