MX-3.com

Ok i have a stock standard mx-3 or az-3 as it's called here. Now when cold she starts up fine, then after a bit of running, say 20-30 min and temp up in normal range. it will idle funny, thatis high around 1500 in park and 1000 waiting at light with foot on brake but in drive. If i turn the car off and restart it 5 min later it won't fire up. Turns over fine but no spark. If i put my foot hard on the accelerator then it tries to start. dies straight away. I can only get the car started by disconnecting the airflow plug firing it up with full throttle and then slowly plugging the airflow back in while still full throttle. It sounds like its running on 3cyls until it clear and runs fine again although high revs. HELP please, I don't wanna get rid of this car cos apart from this problem it's bloody awesome. any ideas... any suggestions would be great!!

RS or GS? 4 cylinder?

Hi SuperK, my car is a 4cyl, auto. And rs gs? sorry what you on about?
All I know is it's a B5 engine 1600 dohc, sorry, newbie to car forums.

Replace you coolant temperature sensor - there are 2 of them - one is a 1 wire sensor for the temp gauge and the other is a 2 wire sensor for the computer. You have to replace the 2 wire sensor that goes to the computer.

You'll want to rule out your "General maintenance" issues first.
1. Tune up - Oil, Spark Plugs, distributor cap.
2. Vacuum - Check your intake tube for cracks, the accordian tube looking one, pcv valve, make sure your lines are all connected, and not chewed out.
You can spray the intake tube with ether... if there are cracks, it'll get sucked through the manifold and make your rev's spike
3. Grounds - clean all ground terminals, add a ground kit if you're feeling lucky.

You'll want to do the above REGARDLESS of whether it fixes the problem or not. It could be something simple, or it could not.

I would then suggest you inspect the following:
1. Ignition timing.
2. Fuel line. There are a couple filters you can replace, it could be your injectors as well
3. Compression test

With my MX-3, my timing was off between the cam gears.
I don't know whether it's just coincidence, but she always fired up fast first thing in the morning, but got harder every time I tried to crank her in the day.

thanks guys.
Ok, well i already replaced the single wire sensor, where is the double wire one? and i have a new airflow meter hose and such for vacuum reasons i electrical taped up all connections. AS for timing, i might take it down to garage and get them to check it. It's easy to start up when cold though when i start in morning and later in day. Only when the temp is up does it cause problems. New earths all round as welloh yeah and new disti cap, plugs and coil. Also new power unit and . Waterpump? Thought it was a heating issue. And to top it of cam belt So timing i hope should be good but like I said won't hurt to check it out..