Ive been tryin to deflood my car and ive been doing by taking out the fuel pump fuse cranking intervals method i read here. And i thought i was making progress but im stuck in the last step. Car turns over and starts but then dies right away. So i did the process over and the same thing happens. I done that about 5 times. Its a 2004 auto. Is there any tricks i could use for keeping the car running?

 

Once the car starts then dies, turn the key off, put the fuse back in, and fire it up normally.

 

I think what he's saying is that after reinstalling the fuse after unflooding--the car will fire and run momentarily before instantly shutting down.

I just bought an AUTO '04 and it's doing the exact same thing...

I bought it non-running and it has started and instantly died 6-7 times after de-flooding.

 

Maybe it's not actually getting completely deflooded? Because if it is, then idk

 

No, by definition once it starts at all, it is no longer flooded. It might be re-flooding on the shutdown, but it's not shutting off by flooding.

No, there is another problem there, and it's something that is not used while starting but is used while running. For example the O2 sensor isn't used while starting, but once it's started it is used to help control the fuel rate. Same with the MAF sensor. Vacuum leaks don't affect starting ability, but will affect idle ability. Etc...

The ESS is used while starting and after, so it's not that.

 

Even the O2 sensor isn't used for a good couple minutes after startup. Initial fueling is all open loop.

 

Yeah, good point.

 

What error codes are set in the engine computer?
Have you thought about taking it to Rosen Mazda?

 

Since It's open loop=no 02, I'm going to say it's the MAF. Either dirty or failed completely. See if there's a code for it...probably not
Could be a vacuum leak...did do you any work prior to the issue? And how did it get flooded, initially?

 

Well I flooded the engine by moving the car and turning it off right away.😒 The only problem I've been having is it won't start once the engine is warm. Like I drive it somewhere and then try to turn on in a short time period it won't start. I have to wait like 15 min. But I think that problem is the cat. I got the code PO420 back when that started happening but that's almost a year ago. I really don't want to take it to Mazda. I've paid them a lot of money for nothing in the past. I've deflooded it before the same way but this time it just doesn't want to stay running. Im going to try it again today maybe take out the spark plugs this time and clean the MAF

 

Not good. you're describing the primary symptoms of a bad catalytic converter and a low compression motor.

 

Yea i have gotten a compression test about the time when I started to have that problem and they've told me compression was good. I changed the plugs and coils about a year and a half ago. Yea I'm thinking is the cat for the hot starting problem. I also have a bad engine mount which makes the car idle hard sometimes but I don't think that has anything to do with the car starting right?

 

disconnect your mid pipe from your exhaust manifold and try to start it up. It'll be really effing loud but you'll know for certain whether your cat is to blame.