I replaced mine twice (along with the starter) and it did not solve the problem for me (which was no-doubt, as others have suggested, caused by an accumulated voltage drop thru the harness, switches, etc. The in-line ford solenoid uses less current than the on-starter miata solenoid and acts a giant high-current relay providing near-full battery voltage to the miata solenoid when it is tripped by the miata start circuit. This is a trick we've used in Circle-track racing (to drive a Chevy starter/solenoid in most cases) since the moonshine days.
like I said, my miata has been flawless since and was hit and miss like yours before. Chris Steve Ashcraft <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent by: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 04/16/2008 09:53 PM To Matthew Goertz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [email protected] cc Subject Re: Intermittent power content In my case it wasn't the solenoid which is integral to my starter. What I saw was a large voltage drop to the wire going into solenoid from the ignition switch. I assumed that someplace in the circuit from the battery to the ignition switch to the starter solenoid there was corrosion that became a large resistance when I turned the ignition switch to the 'start' position. You can check this by applying 12 vdc directly to the starter solenoid. You have to pick up the 12vdc from someplace that can supply lots of current. I picked one of the terminals in the fuse box in the engine compartment since that was the closest source that would supply enough current. Steve Ashcraft Ashcraft & Assoc., LLC 928-636-7228 (Paulden) 480-357-1912 (Mesa) 908-217-4612 (Cell) ----- Original Message ---- From: Matthew Goertz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 4:09:24 PM Subject: Re: Intermittent power content Looks like most of you are suggesting the starter solenoid. I'll order up a new one tomorrow and report back shortly. Cheers! Matt ----- Original Message ----- From: Steve Ashcraft To: Matthew Goertz ; [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 5:01 PM Subject: Re: Intermittent power content I chased the same problem for about a year. Seemed to be worse once the car was completely warmed up. I decided that a 17 year old wiring harness wasn't worth replacing so I removed the cigarette lighter, put in a starter switch ala Honda S2000, and ran new wires from the starter button to the starter and now it works every time. Of course, this is a race car and I don't worry too much about resale. Good luck. Steve ----- Original Message ---- From: Matthew Goertz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 1:30:14 PM Subject: Intermittent power content So today, I'm having a new issue with my car. Car is a 90 Canadian base, with 107,000 kms. What it's doing: Starts first try, 90% of the time. Once in a while though, I turn the key, and here's what happens: Dash lights come on (CEL etc, radio works, no problems). Turn the key to start position, relay clicks, but car doesn't start. Embarassing when trying to impress your date. Turn the key 5-10 times on and off, finally the car starts. Here's some data: New battery from the dealer October 2007. Fully charged and used daily. New starter installed by a mechanic October 2007. Remanufactured unit bought from FLAPS. Replaced ground cable from block to firewall with used piece October 2007. Car had been a theft recovery and had been hotwired. 4 wires to the ignition switch trimmed and soldered with appropriate wiring harness by mechanic. I watched him use proper shrink wrap, not just electircal tape. My question: What's the most likely culprit for the intermittent starting? Where should I start looking? I'm thinking the ground off the engine block is the most likely problem, since it was installed by me in the cold, and I might not have cleaned the contact points thoroughly enough. What should I check after that (since it's the simplest place to start). Solenoids? Wiring to starter? Wiring harness continuity? Ideas? Recommendations? Cheers! Matt PS: Please help me so I can continue to impress the ladies! No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.0/1381 - Release Date: 4/16/2008 9:34 AM _______________________________________________ Miatapower mailing list [email protected] http://list.miatapower.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/miatapower
_______________________________________________ Miatapower mailing list [email protected] http://list.miatapower.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/miatapower
