nattyjoe

I did a search but couldnt find anything so forgive me if this issue has been addressed before. The car had been sitting for about 3 weeks without being started. I figured that the battery would be dead when i tried to start it but to my surprise, it turned over. slowly, but it did. Drove the car for about 2 days without a problem at all. normal performance, no hesitation, no problems at all.

3rd day, went to start the car and it acted as if it was dead. battry checked out fine. was puzzled as to what the problem could be. only issue i could figure was that maybe it was alarm related ( i had been entering and starting the car manually - without keyless - because the keyless battery died). So, rumaged around and found a spare keyless unit, unlocked the car and it started right up. fast forward 2 days... replaced the battery in the newer keyless unit (switch blade type), used it to enter, and went to start the car. started fine, but then i got a wierd buzzing sound from behind the dash, the turn signal lights started flashing strangely and the DSC light started flashing and the check engine light came on. So.. turned it off and took my other car to work. Got home, tried to start the car and nothing... wont crank, wont turn over... wont even try to turn over. You can hear the starter or something humming, but thats all.

So the question is... 1. is this alarm related (i only have the factory system and have never installed anything else in the car). it would seem to be so since it sounds like the fuel is being cut off from the engine.

2. if so, could the problem have been triggered by a low battery or by the use of 2 different keyless systems (they are both factory Mazda units). The newer one i had to purchase when i misplaced the old one. Its the newer switch blade type, as opposed to the standard 4 button pad that you attached to your keychain.

To further screw things up, my car is outfitted with mazdaspeed front bumper, sideskirts and suspension, and is VERY low (3" clearance). The car is also in my driveway, on a pretty steep incline. So, towing, i think, is a nono since i wont be able to drive it onto the bed AND i'm pretty sure that if i cant turn the car over, the steering wheel will lock and i'll be stuck if i try to roll it into the street. And once its in the street, i wont be able to push it back up into the driveway...

So... is there a way to disable or reset the factory alarm system so that the fuel cutoff (assuming thats the problem) is disengaged and i can drive it to the dealership to have the thing debugged?

I am in DESPERATE need of help. Thanks in advance

Richard

dozer

iTrader: (3)

what year and how many miles are on the car?

nattyjoe

its a 2004 with only 28,800 miles. Very much a garage queen. Still looks and drives like brand new.

TheWulf

iTrader: (4)

Could still be your battery not holding a charge. If the battery is too low to crank, it won't even try to turn over. Happened to me when taking the car out of storage a few years ago. Would need to do a cold crank test on it to be sure.

Brettus

iTrader: (2)

Call the dealer and explain - they should send someone out and it may be covered by warranty as well ....

EDZRIDE

iTrader: (1)

Try to jump start it.

Spinning Sushi

iTrader: (21)

Try pushing the car up to about 10mph in neutral, put it into 1st gear, and let go of the clutch, the car should start right up.

nattyjoe

tried jump starting it both times this happened. Both times did nothing. Aboslutely zero change in habit when jumping. Same wurring sound but no spark at all. And i dont think (emphasis on think) a low battery would cause the dash to go haywire. I've had a low battery in the car before and when it was completely gone, what power you did have in the car would go out as soon as you'd tried to start the motor (ie. lights dim to zero). Not sure a push start or pull start would work even if i could do it. The car is less than half a car length from the end of my driveway and the alley outside it is relatively flat. If its a fuel cut off issue, a rolling start wouldnt work, right?

swoope

iTrader: (5)

loose battery wire would do that..

check that first..

then if it is the battery that came with the car. replace it..

beers