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I finally got my car fixed - new computer put in. Car was running normal until it the engine cut out on me while driving. Now it won't start again. I am getting so frustrated with this car and wish that I had never bought it. The car is great when it runs - if only it did.

the fuel pump might be bad

also might be your fuel filter, thats why i like those clear plastic ones they use on domestic older cars, you can see if fuel is pumped or not and if its dirty, same thing happened to my buddy, and he just replaced fuel filter, started right up

I am thinking that I might have a short or a bad ground causing electrical problems. I do get fuel to the plugs - but no spark. I had this problem before I took it to the shop. I pretty much replaced all the electrical components of my car (thank God for cheap eBay parts) to get it running again (albeit only 1/2 hour). There was a fair amount of buildup around my negative battery post (was clean 1/2 hour prior) - don't know what is causing that. Anyway I took it back to the shop.

I just had the same sort of problem with my winter car, ford festiva pretty well the same eng as the 1.6 soch mx-3 , car was on the highway an just died but kicked back in when i let off the gas an then worked fine, a few days later it just wouldnt start in work parkinlot for no reason,checked plugs coil cap rotor all good, I just replaced the distributor with a used one from junk yard tonite. the module in the distributor died. fired up fine ,seems to work better now plus.
These modules are known to go ,
you might want to try this.

Eugene L
1.6DOHC
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/552384

PS
Is always good to add another ground from the engine to the body an check the battery ground for a good connection on both ends.

Eugene L
1.6dohc
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/552384

Well, it has been a long time since it died and it still is dead. I took it to a mechanic and they couldn't find the proper wiring diagram for the car. There is no Mazda dealership in town - the closest one is 450kms away.

I have tried a new distributer, coil, module, plugs, wires, ecu (2 of them), cap, and rotor. I checked the fuses and they are fine.

I would like to get my car running but I am near the end of trying. Any help would be appreciated before I give up on my car.

check the fuel pump

Checked the crank angle sensor? I had a belt rub through the CAS cable. Its under the crank shaft pulley. There's another one in the distributor.

<small>[ August 18, 2004, 01:42 AM: Message edited by: Grants ]</small>

The crank angle sensor in the distributor should be fine since I replaced the distributor. I never heard of the other sensor location. Could you (or anyone) reply with a picture (or diagram) of where this is exactly? If the sensor is gone will this prevent the car from starting? If there is no visible defects in the CAS cable is there a way to test it? This could possibly be the reason. Thanks for giving me some hope.

BTW - my car is a 92 SOHC Auto

<small>[ August 18, 2004, 11:07 PM: Message edited by: Joobers ]</small>

I've just posted a diagram - follow the link below. The cable on mine was cut right through so it was pretty obviously damaged. Without the sensor the engine will crank but will not start (or if running when it fails will just stop).

Hope this helps - let us know how you go. I'll see if I can find out if there's a test for the cable if it looks ok.

the one in the disty is cam angle

The diagram is for a V6 - anyone know where it is on the 4 banger?

Maybe the 4 doesn't have the second one???

Don't know if it will help but have posted the ECU wiring on that same page. The fault seems to be something along these lines but who knows.....

Will the ECU wiring diagram be the same for the 4 cylinder SOHC as well?