jrbirch

Hey All,

I've got a 2005 GT MT model which has developed an irritating habit of flooding occasionally after highway driving (compression came back OK) and has the older starter.

Replaced the ignition system already (plugs, coils and wires) and the battery (Interstate) and just looking to do the starter upgrade (and hopefully kill this flooding issue forever). The dealer wants $600 just for the starter so I figure that I'll source it online and get a better deal by far.

What starter and vendor do you guys recommend? I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada so a local source would be best, but an online dealer that ships north would be fine too.

Thanks.

Go48

First, check to see if you have the upgraded starter motor already installed. The attached images shows the upgraded starter (longer unit in first image) that replaced the original starter around 2005-6. The part number for the upgraded unit is N3H1 A.

jrbirch

Yeah. Definitely have the old one.

James.

Easy_E1

iTrader: (2)

At this point in time, I think the dealer or maybe Mazmart would be your only safe choice.

tza0001

iTrader: (2)

Check if you can find a starter from a junk yard. Any starter from 2006 to 2008 is the upgraded starter and fits 2004 and 2005 models. I got mine for 80$ from a forum member who got it from a junk yard and it works fine. You might want to check on the for sale section as well.

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

Lots of heavy emphasis on the "this".

Go48

Try the following Mazda parts guy. Not sure if he will ship to Canada, but he will have a decent price.

Ray Crowe, Parts Dept., Woodbridge Mazda, 703-490-8170

jrbirch

Anything better then Mazmart?

SC-ed

http://www.car-part.com/cgi-bin/sear...erPage=1&iKey=

jrbirch

Thanks SC-ed.

Is there a starter of higher quality then Mazmart?

tza0001

iTrader: (2)

Mazmart just sells the same starter with Mazda but brand new and not re-manufactured. I think this is the best you can get.

sbala

Hi,

I live in Vancouver, BC & just ordered the upgraded starter today via ebay. Signature Mazda in Richmond, BC quoted me $388 cdn for the upgraded starter. They told me the old price was $600 so if that dealership in Calgary quoted you $600 they are sure trying to make a quick buck off you.

Mine's an auto & I bought one for $245 USD. I live 30 mins from WA and have a mailing address there, so I had it shipped for free.

Here's the link - The starter is for autos only, but if yours is a manual then you can source out a starter by doing a search in ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mazda...item35aba745a4

I was also told by the dealership this is the latest version PART # N3Z2-18-400

The # is different for a manual.

Good luck!

dodgingwrenches

I just got quoted $688 in Ottawa, so I'm also looking for the upgraded started. Mine's a manual though, so unfortunately that ebay guy can't help me out MazMart also has none in stock right now. Any other suggestions for Canadian's to get the upgraded starter?

dodgingwrenches

Just called another dealership and was quoted $695.

tza0001

iTrader: (2)

How about putting a Want to Buy (WTB) post at the for sale section of the forum. Perhaps you are lucky and there is somebody who has an extra starter. That's what happened with me and I ended up paying $80 for a 2008 starter.

dodgingwrenches

Okay this is ridiculous.

I emailed the Signature Mazda dealership in Richmond BC that someone posted about. They told me the N3Z1-18-400 (6spd) is the updated starter and they sell it for $285, and I should contact my local dealership about it. Then I called my local dealership again, and they told me the N3Z1 is the OLD starter. The updated one is N3H1-18-400 (6spd) and it is $695. Then I checked Mazmart. The part number they give is the N3Z1 (same as Signature Mazda). I don't know what to believe anymore! There are conflicting part numbers in this thread as well... Z vs H!

SC-ed

H is the old one.

sbala

I've been making notes on the starter issue since no one really seems to know (incl. dealers) what the latest version is.

Here's what I've learnt.

Manuals & Autos have different Part #'s.
The Manuals have the #1 in the PART #. Auto's have #2 in theirs

For Manuals this is what I've read

The part number was originally N3H1-18-400
then it became N3H1-18-400A and
eventually became N3Z1-18-400

If you have the original it will say N3H1 on it. If you have the first revision, which is MUCH quicker than the original it will also say N3H1 on it with an 'A' afterward.

For Automatics

N3H2 and N3H2-18-400R0B were the older versions with the latest being N3Z2-18-400

Hope this helps. The newer starters are also longer from the original ones.

dodgingwrenches

The Mazda dealership in Richmond BC was kind enough to write me back again when I told them of my local frustrations. They pointed me to a TSB about engine not starting, and a blurb in that does imply that the Z is the newer model. I'll just order the Z and deal with the parts guys at the dealership after ha ha. Mazda Canada never called me back though like they were going to.

Thanks all!

jrbirch

Just a final update:

Dealer (Sunridge Mazda Calgary) quoted ~$600 CAD for a starter.

Sourced a starter (N3Z1) from Mazmart in the USA for ~$425CAD instead. Had to pay customs duties when it got to the office. $60 to install. Bit of a panicky process as Mazmart doesn't really do any follow up after you pay via Paypal. In the end, it was all good though.

Dealer (Sunridge Mazda in Calgary) offered a reman (N3H1 ....-A) for ~$250 after they broke the solonoid during the installation (??). Dunno if that would have been a better option but what's done is done.

Car starts beautifully now.

byez

I"m in the same position as you and definitely need a new starter at one point.

Anyone had any luck dropping their starter off at an auto electric shop and having it rebuilt?