My guess; Cam Angle Sensor
Had it on my 92 1.6 Ran for a bit coughing then just cut out completely.
Thanks SPEEDY i don’t think that Mick has picked up your post yet.Will certainly add your input to the to do list.
Kind Regards.
Ian
OK update ,Ian [geriatric] came and spent the morning with me to day , 1 we fitted a spark tester to no1 plug lead turned the key and it started shock /horror WTF is going off bearing in mind car has not been touched for at least ten days , ran a few minutes stopped ! turned key no start/ spark, took igniter box off Ians car no start put my old igniter on his car started ran ok tried my replacement igniter box on his ran ok. am now getting seriously peed off , will change cam sensor ,have known good one ’ Any one local to me [north notts ] who has mx 5 experience, have any ideas please will pay ,feed and water etc, to visit unhappy mick
Hi, Mick. I have been having this problem with my 96 Mk 1. It cut out while running, no coughing or warning, just died. Left it for a couple of hours and it started and ran for a few days. Then did it again. I noticed the rev counter dropped immediately as though it was switched off. That time it was an overnight outside before it started. The third time, again a few days later, it was towed home by the breakdown man who, having agreed that it wasn’t going to start, said as we were driving it down," Now that I’ve shaken it about a bit I bet it starts. It did, just nearly long enough for me to get it under cover. I had to wind it the last couple of feet on the starter motor. It hasn’t started since and that was two weeks ago.
Since then I have changed the plugs, leads coil pack and AFM. I have checked the relays in the main fuse box on the O/S wing and still no spark. Plenty of life in the battery just no spark.
I’ll keep an eye on this thread and contribute my tuppence worth of woe until we crack it.
Good luck.
Hi at least I’m not on my own! as you see from my posts I have changed igniter ,coil pack , leads ,plugs ,charged battery [ repeated starting attempts flattened it] next plan is change cam sensor and after that I don’t know where to go other than a good auto trician , I have been on the tools all my working life and very rarely had to ask for help but this now really getting up my nose ,keep in touch 2 heads are usually better than one , your symptoms are almost identical, some one out there must have the answer !
Hi Bruce does your car have an immobiliser fitted ? ,its some thing I must look at, when in the trade I had numererous probs with faulty ones Mick still searching but the cold gets to me after an hr or so!
Hello again Mick,i now have everything to test both pump pressure and injectors it is a very comprehensive kit.
Kind Regards
Ian.
Yes Mick, there is an immobiliser and I suspected that it might be a problem from the off. I have had three Gleneagles, the first had a chip in the key as does the second but the third has an aftermarket jobby which involves a black blob attached to the key ring. It looks like an amateurish job involving black tape over wires twisted together and lots of wires. I know that they can be fiendishly difficult to decipher so I’ve left well alone. I’m going to see if I can find a maker’s mark anywhere.
In the meantime I have changed the coil pack, leads plugs and AFM and checked the relays in the main fusebox. All good. I am reluctant to fiddle about with the CAS because I don’t want to compound anything with a timing issue. I may be forced to.
Keep buggering on.
John
I have explored the immobiliser and it’s from a German company called HRH Vertriebs GmbH. I have been unable to find out any more about it on the net so my next step will be to get an auto electrician to remove it if possible.
The worrying thing is that the diagnostic box isn’t showing any signs of life but the engine cranks over with gusto - just no spark.
Ok update 2 got brave today and pulled the cam sensor ,whilst comparing it with the s/h replacement I noticed that one end of the drive had a small [ 1,5 x 2 mm] bit missing from the drive plate other end is nice sharply defined edge consulted Haynes and it shows complete bar across i.e. 2 sharp corners but says that it will only fit one way ? .I have not measured any thing other by mk 1 eyeball [ the working one] would it be possible for this to interupt spark timing causing a cut out non start situation , light stopped play ,will continue tommorow
Mick they are slightly off-set just like the old distributer on cars.I should have left my spare with you,when i get back tomorrow i will go to mk1 and check and let you know ASAP.
Kind Regards
Ian.
Mick i have just checked my MIATA manual and to me to all intent and purpose you may treat it as you would a distributer.Ibelieve it is the same just to break the circuit at the correct time,possibly incorporating a thyrister a switch capable of operating in nano/seconds.If this is the case they will not tolerate being triggered without an earth,they just self destruct,it would be great to dismantle a defective one just to see just what is in it.
Kind Regards.
Ian.
Mick I know you gave been following my post no spark like you changed out plugs leads igniter coil pack still no spark on 2 and 3 cylinders, changed the cam angle sensor and started first time like your cas mine had a lump missing from one end the replacement was level to the ends both sides my advice would be try the cas
Many thanks Ben ,i suppose I was getting paranoid ! but it has been a bit of trial and I think I was grabbing at straws willget it back together later !!
Well Ian you might just get one to play with in a few days ! keep warm and look for further bulletins Mick
UPDATE 3 fitted s/h cam sensor ,turned key and -------------------- it started , frightened the day lights out of me , reset timing and let it idle for a while 8 mile road test ,fine, may need to nudge base idle a touch but happy mick !!! .Ian I’ll pop the old one in the post for you !!! That is 2 non starters cured in a week, try a cam sensor Bruce ,it makes sense!!!
Congratulations Mick,did you manage to get it changed without removing the cam box top?You thought it looked a bit tight,why dont we arrange for me to come over again save you postage and give me a run out.
Kind Regards.
Ian.
Hi Ian good thinking ! any days but Wednesdays [ gym day ] to suit you . I did take the cam cover off which makes things easier see you soon !
Hello again Mick North East Midlands meet tonight(planning),then watch weather forecast,look for good slot and mail you the afternoon the day before to allow you time to confirm or cancel.
Kind Regards.
Ian.
It is a lovely feeling Mick, congratulations. I’ve changed, coil pack,leads,AFM and now CAS but still no spark. I’ve been trying to get in touch with the goto Auto Electrician but he’s not got back to me yet. I even dug out the ECU which involves some careful work with a Dremmel to get the two security bolts off the cover and unclipping and reclipping the connectors didn’t help. My problem is I have no experience or kit when it comes to electronics.
It’s local club night tonight so I’ll ask around for any other suggestions.
KBO